principal enterprise architect, partner technology (Nashville, TN)

Now Brewing – principal enterprise architect, partner technology! #tobeapartner

From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others.

At Starbucks, our mission is with every cup, with every conversation, with every community - we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection. Starbucks Technologists work to achieve this mission using cutting-edge technology delivered to our partners, customers, stores, roasters, and global communities.

Our partners are at the center of everything we do. As the Principal Enterprise Architect, Partner Technology, you will define and drive the future-state architecture that enables the partner experience across the enterprise, including workforce management, recruiting, payroll, learning, AI-powered experiences, and employee-facing digital platforms.

This role serves as the senior architecture leader for Partner Technology and is accountable for translating business strategy into technology strategy, architectural roadmaps, and transformational initiatives. You will work through influence, partnering with executive leaders, product teams, engineering organizations, security, data, and cloud architecture teams to deliver scalable, secure, and modern solutions that improve the experience of Starbucks partners worldwide.

As a member of the Enterprise Architecture leadership community, you will shape architectural standards, guide technology investments, mentor architects and engineering leaders, and govern strategic decisions that impact the enterprise

As principal enterprise architect, partner technology you will...

Define the Future of Partner Technology

• Develop multi-year business and technology roadmaps across Partner Technology capabilities.
• Establish target-state architectures that align with enterprise business goals and technology strategy.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and market capabilities to identify opportunities for innovation and modernization.
• Lead architectural strategy for key domains including workforce management, recruiting, payroll, employee experience, identity, AI, and enterprise integrations.

Lead Enterprise Transformation

• Partner with business and technology leaders to shape strategic initiatives from concept through execution.
• Drive major transformation programs and platform modernization efforts.
• Lead architectural evaluations, proof-of-concepts, and technology assessments.
• Influence enterprise investment priorities through technology strategy, business cases, and value realization.

Advance AI and Digital Innovation

• Define architecture patterns and guardrails for AI-enabled partner experiences.
• Partner with enterprise AI, data, security, and engineering teams to drive responsible adoption of emerging technologies.
• Establish scalable approaches for copilots, intelligent automation, enterprise search, and agent-based experiences.
• Ensure AI capabilities align with security, privacy, governance, and enterprise architecture principles.

Provide Enterprise Architecture Leadership

• Define architecture principles, standards, and reference architectures.
• Guide enterprise governance processes and architecture review boards.
• Identify and manage cross-functional dependencies across programs and domains.
• Ensure architecture decisions support long-term business and technology objectives.
• Develop reusable patterns that increase delivery speed and consistency across the enterprise.

Influence and Mentor

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business and technology leaders.
• Build strong partnerships across enterprise functions.
• Mentor architects, engineering leaders, and technical teams.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.

We'd love to hear from people with...

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of technology leadership experience.
• 10+ years leading large-scale enterprise technology solutions.
• 7+ years in enterprise, business, or solution architecture roles.
• Deep expertise in architecture strategy, roadmapping, and governance.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide transformation initiatives.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive change across large organizations.
• Expertise in cloud-native architecture, integrations, security, and enterprise platforms.
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect technology decisions to business outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting HR, HCM, workforce management, payroll, recruiting, or employee experience platforms.
• Experience with enterprise AI strategy, copilots, intelligent automation, and agentic AI solutions.
• Knowledge of enterprise data governance and information architecture.
• Experience participating in architecture governance boards and enterprise decision-making forums.
• Background in retail, hospitality, consumer services, or large workforce environments.

Success in This Role

• The ideal candidate has successfully:
• Defined enterprise technology strategy and multi-year roadmaps.
• Influenced executive investment decisions.
• Led architecture for large transformation programs spanning multiple business domains.
• Balanced immediate delivery needs with long-term simplification, modernization, governance, and risk management.
• Built strong partnerships across business, product, engineering, security, and data organizations.
• Guided organizations through emerging technology adoption, including AI-driven transformation

Why Starbucks

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of Partner Technology at global scale. You will help define how Starbucks partners interact with workforce systems, AI-powered experiences, enterprise data, and digital capabilities while influencing the technology strategy that supports hundreds of thousands of partners across the world.

As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits. Partners have access to short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire*, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year. Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well-being tools. Additionally, Starbucks offers 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, student loan management resources, and access to other educational opportunities. You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement. Starbucks will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and in accordance with its plans and policies. This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative. For additional information regarding partner perks and more detailed information about benefits, go to starbucksbenefits.com.

*If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above. For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At Starbucks, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

We believe we do our best work when we're together, which is why we're onsite four days a week.

Join us and inspire with every cup. Apply today!

Starbucks Coffee Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.

Starbucks Coffee Company is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or 1(888) 611-2258.