Summary and Qualifications:

As part of the Mars Petcare family of businesses, Mars Veterinary Health is a global network of veterinary practices made possible by 75,000 Associates who care for millions of pets across nearly 3,000 clinics in more than 20 countries each year. We are committed to leveraging our reach to make a long-term positive impact on people, pets, and the planet and know our Purpose – A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS – starts with the people who care for them. We strive to offer unparalleled veterinary care for pets by first and foremost enabling and empowering our Associates to do what they love, whether in primary, specialty, and emergency care or management and leadership.

Role Purpose

We are seeking a strategic Head of Architecture to lead the architecture function within our newly established, cross-functional technology organization. This function bundles all the architecture capabilities across enterprise, infrastructure, data, cybersecurity, integration and application domains. This role is pivotal in shaping and aligning the architectural vision, standards, and technology frameworks across Mars Veterinary Health’s (MVH) global veterinary brands.

As the Head of Architecture, you will report directly to the CIO and serve as a key member of the technology leadership team. You will oversee a diverse team of specialized architects across data, infrastructure, cybersecurity, integration, enterprise applications, and more—ensuring that we deliver scalable, secure, and future-proof solutions that support MVH’s strategic priorities. Your team will be working closely with the rest of the MVH technology function including app devp / maintenance engineers, data management & analytics scientists and engineers, and infrastructure managers to help them perform their job effectively and aligned to MVH Group architecture standards.

Essential Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Architectural Leadership: Define and lead the enterprise architecture vision, principles, and strategy across all MVH brands in alignment with business goals.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor a high-performing team of 10+ specialist architects (data, application, infrastructure, integration, cybersecurity, etc.).
• Technology Strategy: Partner with business and technology stakeholders to develop and evolve roadmaps for enterprise systems, platforms, and cloud infrastructure.
• Governance & Standards: Establish architecture governance processes and ensure adherence to architectural standards, principles, and guardrails across the organization.
• Cross-Brand Collaboration: Enable harmonization and reuse of architectural solutions across Banfield, BluePearl, VCA, Linnaeus, and AniCura to accelerate digital transformation and operational efficiency.
• Innovation & Modernization: Drive innovation in systems architecture through the adoption of modern technology stacks including cloud-native platforms, AI/ML, API-first design, and event-driven architectures.
• Security & Resilience: Partner with security and compliance leaders to ensure all architectural designs support MVH’s risk management and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Live and exemplify the Five Principles of Mars, Inc. within self and team
• Other job duties as assigned.

Special Working Conditions:

• Hybrid role, working from Hub location 3x a week.
• Ability to work at a computer for long periods of time.
• Project timelines and work volume/deadlines may often require more than 40 hours per week to complete essential duties of this job.
• Must have mental processes for reasoning, remembering, mathematics and language ability (reading, writing, and speaking the English language) to perform the duties proficiently.
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form and to solve problems involving several variables.
• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb as well as manipulate (lift, carry, move) up to 50 pounds.
• Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm-hand-finger dexterity with the ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard and operate necessary equipment.
• The noise level in the work environment is normally moderate.
• Environment where pets are present.

Experience, Education and/or Training:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• TOGAF or similar certifications are a plus.
• 15+ years of experience in technology architecture, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing cross-functional teams.
• Proven experience leading architectural strategy in complex, global, and matrixed organizations.
• Deep understanding of enterprise, data, application, and cloud architecture principles and best practices.
• Strong knowledge of modern technology stacks, including public cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP), API ecosystems, containerization, and microservices.
• Demonstrated success in leading architectural governance, portfolio management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business terms and influence C-level stakeholders.

What We Offer – The Good Stuff:

• Competitive salary with paid time off & holidays so you can spend time with the people you love.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your loved ones.
• Fertility and family-building assistance.
• Paid Parental leave.
• Practice Paid Basic Life Insurance.
• Practice Paid Short- and Long-Term Disability.
• Competitive referral program – join our team, bring your friends, and get paid.
• Automatic enrollment 401(k) Savings Plan after 60 days of employment with generous company match.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Legal Plan.
• Health Savings Account & Flexible Spending Account.
• Mental health support and resources.
• Paid Volunteering.
• Optimum Wellness Plans® for up to three pets.
• Continuing Education allowance & MED hours for eligible positions.
• Student Debt Relief (for full-time DVMs).
• A Variety of discounts including Mars, PetSmart, Royal Canin, fitness, cellular and so much more.

WE ARE A DRUG-FREE, SMOKE-FREE, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Mars Veterinary Health (MVH)® strongly supports and values the uniqueness of all individuals and promotes a work environment where diversity is embraced. MVH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. MVH complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every MVH location.