We are seeking a strategic Senior Director of Data Modernization and AI to drive effective data-driven decision-making. This role involves overseeing data functions, enhancing data quality, protection, and privacy, and managing AgFirst's Data Warehouse Strategy. You will build and lead a team, foster a culture of data sharing, and collaborate with leaders to improve data governance. Additionally, you'll develop a vision for data and AI products, align data with policy needs, and keep Executives informed on data innovations.
What You'll Do:
Develop the organizational data and AI strategy to create a roadmap for data analytics and use cases.
Establish a data and AI governance framework to manage data quality, consistency, availability, and usage across the organization.
Lead innovation from a data perspective, focusing on digital assets and advancing data management and business analytics capabilities.
Collaborate with business strategy and operational leaders to identify technologies, optimize data integration, storage, and retrieval processes, including eliminating redundant and non-value-added data systems.
Partner with the technology team to support IT data management activities, ensuring alignment with bank-wide data processes and policies.
Work with subject matter experts to develop data quality measures and practices to enhance the Bank's data and protect sensitive information.
Develop and oversee the implementation of bank-side data management strategies, including setting short- and long-term goals and objectives.
Ensure effective operating controls are in place to assure compliance.
Stay up to date on data strategy best practices, technology, products, and services to maintain the Bank's competitive edge.
Communicate the value of data as a critical asset to executives and business units within the Bank.
Collaborate with Human Resources to set performance standards, manage workflow, evaluate performance, and recommend actions.
Develop and manage the departmental budget.
Lead the team responsible for data and AI platforms and capabilities for the AgFirst district.
What You'll Need:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business Information Systems, or related field.
A minimum of 15+ years relevant experience within the banking/financial services industry with advanced business knowledge and leadership capabilities to lead enterprise data and technology teams.
Broad practical experience across multiple professional disciplines, combining theory, practical experience, and organizational business practices.
Expertise in driving business outcomes by identifying and operationalizing data, building, articulating, and delivering business cases around data use or data-centric business strategy.
Experience with strategic data architecture, information systems, and visualization techniques.
Creative thinker and problem solver with a focus on leveraging data to improve business processes and automate critical workflows using big data analytics and predictive intelligence.
Proven ability to collaborate with stakeholders to define business and systems requirements for data asset utilization, navigating partnerships and managing multiple client work streams.
Ability to develop a multi-year roadmap and achieve specific objectives within plan.
Recognized as a thought leader with strong technical expertise and familiarity with the latest data management practices.
Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills to drive change management initiatives throughout the organization.
Strong analytical, strategic, project management, decision-making and problem-solving.
Nice to Have:
Master's degree preferred.
Certifications in Data Management (e.g., Certified Data Professional and Artificial Intelligence).
