KINDERCARE

Compensation

Full Description

Futures start here. Where first steps, new friendships, and confident learners are born. At KinderCare Learning Companies, the first and only early childhood education provider recognized with the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, we offer a variety of early education and child care options for families. Whether it’s KinderCare Learning Centers, Champions, or Crème de la Crème, we build confidence for kids, families, and the future we share. And we want you to join us in shaping it—in neighborhoods, at work, and in schools nationwide. At KinderCare Learning Companies, you’ll use your skills and expertise to support the work (and fun) that happens in our sites and centers every day. From marketers and strategists to financial analysts and data engineers, and so much more, we’re all passionate about crafting a world where children, families, and organizations can thrive. KinderCare Learning Companies is seeking a Senior Enterprise Architect to lead and evolve the enterprise architecture strategy for Technical Operations, with a core focus on Infrastructure, Platforms, and Information Security. This strategic role will drive the transformation of foundational technology services into scalable, secure, and resilient platforms that power the business across our 2,000+ early childhood education centers and corporate environments. You will partner with senior leaders in Infrastructure, Security, and DevOps to align technical operations with KinderCare’s broader enterprise strategy, enabling our transition toward platform-driven IT, cloud-native services, and data-informed decision-making. As a key member of the Enterprise Architecture team, you will provide architectural leadership that ensures operational excellence, security-by-design, and the ability to scale for growth and innovation. Responsibilities: Architectural Leadership • Define and evolve the reference architectures, patterns, and guardrails for core infrastructure, network, compute, storage, and cloud operations. • Develop and maintain current and future state architecture models for technical operations capabilities. • Serve as the principal architecture advisor for large initiatives impacting infrastructure and cybersecurity platforms. Strategic Partnership & Alignment • Act as the architecture liaison to KinderCare’s Infrastructure, Security, and DevOps teams. • Ensure alignment of technical roadmaps with enterprise goals such as resilience, observability, cost optimization, and regulatory compliance. • Support the prioritization of infrastructure and security investments based on enterprise risk and business value. Security & Risk Architecture • Define architectural standards and models that embed Zero Trust, Identity-Centric Security, and Defense-in-Depth principles. • Partner with the CISO to align enterprise architecture with security risk posture, regulatory requirements (e.g., SOX, PCI, SOC 2, FERPA), and evolving threat landscapes. Technology Alignment • Deep history of hands on experience designing practical cloud architectures using AWS-native technologies including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS Enablement & Governance • Lead architectural reviews and provide technical governance for platform-oriented programs, including cloud enablement, disaster recovery, and ITSM transformation. • Partner with engineering and platform teams to ensure infrastructure as code and automation-first approaches are standard practice. Cross-Functional Influence • Collaborate with solution architects, product owners, and delivery teams to ensure operational considerations are designed into all KinderCare systems from inception. • Act as a mentor and inspiring leader across architecture and engineering communities, raising awareness of best practices in operational resilience, platform efficiency, and security architecture. Qualifications: • 10+ years of experience in IT, with at least 5 years in enterprise architecture roles focused on infrastructure, platforms, or cybersecurity. • Deep expertise in cloud infrastructure (AWS required, Azure is a plus), networking, compute, storage, and operational tooling (e.g., monitoring, observability, CI/CD). • Demonstrated experience defining and implementing enterprise security architecture aligned with NIST, ISO 27001, or similar frameworks. • Proficient in architecture modeling practices, including capability maps, layered models, and roadmaps. • Excellent communication skills with ability to influence at senior executive levels and collaborate across diverse technical teams. #LI-remote Our benefits meet you where you are. We’re here to help our employees navigate the integration of work and life: - Know your whole family is supported with discounted child care benefits. - Breathe easy with medical, dental, and vision benefits for your family (and pets, too!). - Feel supported in your mental health and personal growth with employee assistance programs. - Feel great and thrive with access to health and wellness programs, paid time off and discounts for work necessities, such as cell phones. - … and much more. We operate research-backed, accredited, and customizable programs in more than 2,000 sites and centers across 40 states and the District of Columbia. As we expand, we’re matching the needs of more and more families, dynamic work environments, and diverse communities from coast to coast. Because we believe every family deserves access to high-quality child care, no matter who they are or where they live. Every day, you’ll help bring this mission to life by building community and delivering exceptional experiences. And if you’re anything like us, you’ll come for the work, and stay for the people. KinderCare Learning Companies is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. Job Posting End Date : 2025-12-16