Systems architect Jobs in Chicago, IL

Husch Blackwell LLP is a full-service litigation and business law firm with multiple locations across the United States, serving clients with domestic and international operations.

At Husch Blackwell we believe that diverse, equitable and inclusive teams lead to better outcomes. Husch Blackwell is committed to retaining, recruiting, developing, and promoting talented lawyers and business professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We foster an engaged, diverse, and inclusive team culture of accountability and purpose that makes our Firm and our communities better.

Our firm is committed to attracting and retaining professionals who value each other and the service we provide by embracing Teamwork, Collaboration, Client Service, and Innovation. If you are a motivated professional looking for a long-term fit where you can grow in a role, and will be valued and empowered, then we invite you to apply to our Financial Systems Solutions Architect position. This position may be filled remotely, or in any of our locations.

The Financial Systems Solutions Architect is responsible for defining, governing, and advancing the architecture, integration strategy, and technical roadmap for the Firm's Financial and Administrative Applications ecosystem. This role serves as the primary architecture leader for financial systems, working closely with business stakeholders, engineering teams, vendors, and technology leadership to ensure solutions are scalable, secure, supportable, and aligned with long-term business objectives. The role is responsible for establishing design patterns and standards with the Financial Systems team, evaluating technologies, guiding solution design, and reducing long-term operational and technical risk across the application portfolio. Essential functions include:

Financial Systems Solution Architecture, Design & Strategy

• Define design patterns, standards and design principles for the Firm's Financial and Administrative Applications portfolio.
• Serve as the Firm's primary architecture resource for financial platforms, including Elite 3E and related applications.
• Partner with business leaders to understand current and future-state business requirements.
• Evaluate opportunities for application modernization, process automation, and cloud adoption.
• Support long-term planning activities associated with platform upgrades and transformation initiatives.
• Develop and maintain technology roadmaps supporting financial and administrative applications.

Integration & Data Architecture

• Define standards and best practices governing Financial systems integrations.
• Establish reusable integration patterns utilizing APIs, middleware, ETL processes, and cloud-based services.
• Review and approve integration designs supporting internal and vendor-supported systems.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure integration solutions align with established architectural standards.
• Collaborate with the firm Enterprise Architecture team to ensure that design patterns set at the Firm level are translated and implemented within Financial Systems.
• Ensure appropriate data governance, security, reliability, and scalability considerations are incorporated into all solution designs.

Reporting & Analytics Architecture

• Define standards supporting Financial and Administrative application reporting, analytics, business intelligence, Microsoft Fabric and AI access to financial data initiatives.
• Evaluate data models, reporting platforms, and reporting architecture supporting operational and executive reporting needs.
• Provide guidance regarding Microsoft Power BI, SSRS, data warehousing, and reporting strategy.
• Collaborate with reporting teams to improve data accessibility, consistency, and reporting capabilities.

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Review and provide recommendations for proposed solutions, projects, vendor products, and system enhancements.
• Mentor development and support teams regarding process standards, patterns, and best practices.
• Act as a trusted advisor to business stakeholders, technical teams, and leadership.
• Provide technical leadership during major initiatives, upgrades, and strategic planning efforts.

Vendor & Technology Evaluation

• Evaluate software platforms, vendor solutions, and emerging technologies.
• Participate in vendor selection, product reviews, and proof-of-concept activities.
• Assess technical feasibility, risks, scalability, and alignment with organizational strategy.
• Recommend technology solutions that support business objectives while minimizing technical debt.

Documentation & Standards

• Develop and maintain solution documentation, standards, patterns, and reference designs.
• Maintain current-state and future-state Financial Applications architecture diagrams and application inventories.
• Ensure architecture decisions are properly documented and communicated across technology teams.
• Promote consistent design practices across projects and operational initiatives.

Applications supported may include, but are not limited to:

• Elite 3E
• Intapp applications
• HR applications (UKG)
• Time Entry solutions (Laurel)
• Billing / Collections and Revenue Management systems
• Procurement and Accounts Payable platforms
• Financial Reporting platforms
• Microsoft Power BI
• SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)
• Workflow automation platforms (Decisions)
• Enterprise integration platforms
• Related financial and administrative applications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Business Technology, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience supporting enterprise applications, integrations, or solution architecture.
• Experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale application and integration solutions.
• Experience supporting financial, accounting, administrative, or legal technology platforms preferred.
• Experience working within legal, professional services, or financial services organizations preferred.
• Deep knowledge of financial business processes, billing, accounting, procurement, and administrative workflows.
• Experience with Elite 3E and associated financial application ecosystems preferred.
• Familiarity with Intapp products and related business processes preferred.
• Strong understanding of API architecture, REST services, SOAP services, ETL processes, and integration technologies.
• Experience with Microsoft SQL Server and relational database design.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Power BI, SSRS, data modeling, reporting architecture, and analytics platforms.
• Understanding of cloud architecture, SaaS platforms, and enterprise modernization strategies.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, business stakeholders, technical teams, and vendors.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic planning capabilities.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities, or requirements. The Firm will provide reasonable accommodations as necessary to allow an individual with a disability to apply for and/or perform the essential functions of a position. If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, please contact HR.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with skill and experience. The exact compensation will vary based on skills, experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. The expected compensation ranges for this position in various states and jurisdictions are as follows:

• State of California: $102,000 - $208,000
• State of Colorado: $94,000 - $167,000
• State of Connecticut: $81,000 - $205,000
• State of Illinois: $92,000 - $179,000
• State of Maine: $69,000 - $160,000
• State of Maryland: $99,000 - $150,000
• State of Massachusetts: $102,000 - $195,000
• State of Minnesota: $102,000 - $169,000
• Jersey City, NJ: $111,000 - $201,000
• State of New York: $95,000 - $205,000
• State of Vermont: $101,000 - $193,000
• State of Virginia: $66,000 - $193,000
• State of Washington: $99,000 - $188,000
• Washington, $131,000 - $193,000

The above salaries do not include a discretionary bonus, however bonus opportunities are non-guaranteed, and are dependent upon individual and firm performance. Full-time employees receive benefits including: medical and dental coverage; life insurance; short-term and long-term disability insurance; pre-tax flexible spending account for certain medical and dependent care expenses; an employee assistance program; Paid Time Off; paid holidays; participation in a retirement plan program after meeting eligibility requirements; and more.