Job Application for VP, Database Architecture and Engineering at bswift

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Want to be a bswifter?

At bswift we’ve been transforming benefits administration since 1996, making it simpler, smarter, and more human. Our state-of-the-art, cloud-based technology and services empower employees to understand, manage, and love their benefits. From downtown Chicago, and remotely across the country, we serve thousands of companies and millions of people nationwide, reducing administrative burdens and freeing HR teams to focus on creating thriving, people-first workplaces.

We’re looking for motivated and goal-driven individuals who share our passion for delivering excellence and creating solutions that make a difference. The reward is a fun, flexible and creative environment with ample opportunity for professional and personal growth. If you love the bswift values of pursue excellence, embrace accountability, deliver superior service, and be a great place to work, we want to hear from you!

ABOUT US

bswift is a leading benefits administration company that specializes in providing tailored solutions for our clients. Our mission is to simplify the complex world of employee benefits and deliver exceptional service to our clients. We are looking for a talented and experienced individual to join our team as the Vice President of Database Architecture & Engineering.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Vice President of Database Architecture & Engineering is a seasoned, hands-on technology leader responsible for defining and driving the vision, architecture, and engineering practices for bswift’s enterprise database platform. This role owns database platform strategy, leads modernization initiatives, and ensures scalability, reliability, security, and performance across all database environments within our AWS-hosted ecosystem. The VP partners closely with Product Engineering leadership to deliver modern, developer-friendly tooling and services.

WHAT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR (Essential Functions)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Strategic Leadership

Define and execute the enterprise Database Platform Engineering strategy aligned with product, cloud transformation, and business goals.
Drive modernization initiatives for tooling, automation, and developer experience.
Establish standards for SQL Server deployments, reliability, performance optimization, capacity management, and disaster recovery.
Lead modernization across all database platforms, including transitions toward cloud-native and managed database services.
Partner with application teams to ensure database designs meet scalability, observability, security, and compliance requirements.

Architecture & Engineering

Own reference architectures for SQL Server and related data platforms.
Establish best practices for performance, scalability, security, and cost efficiency in AWS.
Own and manage HA/DR architectures including Always On Availability Groups, clustering, and replication.
Standardize database-as-code practices using Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar tools.
Introduce automation for patching, backups, schema migrations, and performance tuning.

Operations & Reliability

Ensure 99.95%+ availability for Tier-1 database services.
Implement and optimize observability capabilities including monitoring, logging, alerting, and proactive incident response.
Drive capacity planning, cost optimization, and FinOps practices for database platforms.

Innovation & Modernization

Introduce and scale modern engineering practices including IaC, CI/CD for database changes, and advanced observability tooling.
Evaluate emerging cloud-native database technologies and make recommendations for adoption.

Security & Compliance

Enforce enterprise-grade security controls such as encryption at rest/in transit, least-privilege access, data masking, and auditing.
Ensure database platforms remain compliant with SOC, HIPAA, HITRUST, and other regulatory frameworks.
Partner with the CISO on data protection, vulnerability management, and modernization of security practices.

Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with Product Engineering leadership to deliver database solutions optimized for developer speed, reliability, and flexibility.
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives on database strategy, architecture, modernization, and risk.

Team Leadership

Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of database architects and engineers.
Foster a culture of innovation, automation, operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (Required Education and Experience)

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience (required)
Expert-level experience with Microsoft SQL Server (performance tuning, indexing, partitioning, query optimization)
Deep expertise with Always On AGs, clustering, replication, and HA/DR architectures
Strong understanding of database security (TDE, RLS, Always Encrypted, auditing)
Strong experience with AWS database services (RDS for SQL Server, Aurora, DynamoDB familiarity)
Hands-on experience with automation and IaC tools (Terraform, CloudFormation, PowerShell)
Proficiency with observability and performance tools (CloudWatch, Idera, Redgate, AppD, Performance Insights, SQL Profiler, Extended Events)
Demonstrated experience leading large-scale modernization or cloud migration initiatives
Strong leadership experience managing architecture and engineering teams

NICE TO HAVE (Preferred Education and Experience)

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
Experience with additional cloud providers or multi-cloud strategies
Familiarity with NoSQL, caching technologies, or event-driven architectures
Experience in a regulated industry (healthcare, insurance, financial services)

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Why Join bswift?

At bswift, we empower our employees to make a meaningful impact, innovate, and grow. Joining our team means stepping into a collaborative and dynamic environment that values creativity, initiative, and a passion for client success. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that celebrates diversity and values each team member’s unique contributions.

Benefits of Working at bswift:

Comprehensive Health Benefits: Access to health, dental, and vision plans to support your wellness and that of your family.
Competitive Compensation: A compensation package that recognizes your skills, experience, and contributions, including performance-based incentives for most roles.
Remote first, Office friendly environment! No time to commute? No problem!
Retirement Savings Plans: Options to help you plan for a secure financial future with employer-sponsored retirement savings programs.
Professional Development: Opportunities for career growth, including training and access to resources to support your career progression.
Supportive Culture: A work environment that encourages collaboration, open communication, and creative problem-solving, where your voice and ideas are valued.
Employee Wellbeing Initiatives: Programs focused on mental health, financial planning, and wellness resources to help you thrive inside and outside of work.

Make an Impact: At bswift, your work directly contributes to transforming how organizations approach benefits administration and client engagement. Join us to be part of an organization that is making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients and their employees.

Specific benefit offerings vary by position and may be subject to change.

Standard working hours are 8am-5pm Central Time, unless otherwise stated in the Job Description.

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position is $180,000-$220,000, exclusive of fringe benefits or potential bonuses. If you are hired at bswift, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience. In addition to those factors – we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future & continued salary growth. We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package!

At bswift, our mission is clear: Become the preeminent benefits administrator through exceptional people, innovative technology, and delighted customers. And our values are at the heart of everything we do to accomplish that mission. We Pursue Excellence, Embrace Accountability, Deliver Superior Service, and strive to Be A Great Place To Work. We take pride in having an engaged, collaborative team that goes the extra mile to get the job done right.

bswift has been regularly named one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®, as well as one of the Nation’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® year after year. We offer a fun, flexible, and creative environment where you can grow both professionally and personally.

If you have what it takes to join our award-winning culture, we’d love to hear from you!

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VP, Database Architecture and Engineering

ABOUT US

WHAT YOU’LL DO

WHAT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR (Essential Functions)

Strategic Leadership

Architecture & Engineering

Operations & Reliability

Innovation & Modernization

Security & Compliance

Stakeholder Engagement

Team Leadership

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED (Required Education and Experience)

NICE TO HAVE (Preferred Education and Experience)

OTHER DUTIES

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U.S. Standard Demographic Questions

Voluntary Self-Identification

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability