Vice President & Head of AI Lab

Purpose of this Role:

The VP and Head of AI Lab leads the bank's AI delivery engine. The role is accountable for executing the bank's AI operating model and strategy, scaling its portfolio of strategic AI assets, and operationalizing AI across the enterprise so that it generates measurable value for customers, employees, and shareholders.
The Head of AI Lab oversees two delivery squads that build and run the bank's flagship AI products, while also enabling the wider organization to adopt AI tools, platforms, and capabilities responsibly. The role combines hands-on portfolio leadership with strategic ecosystem building, executive engagement, financial stewardship, and people development.

What You Will Do:

Strategy and Operating Model Execution

• Translate the bank's AI strategy into an executable portfolio of products, releases, and platform capabilities.
• Operate the AI operating model end-to-end, from intake and prioritization through delivery, deployment, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain alignment between the AI Lab roadmap, enterprise priorities, and divisional business plans.Squad and Portfolio Leadership

• Lead two diverse squads covering customer experience AI products and internal productivity AI solutions, each with distinct missions, talent profiles, and stakeholders.
• Partner with the AI Delivery Lead to remove blockers, mitigate delivery risk, and ensure on-time release of strategic assets and committed milestones.
• Empower squad leads and product managers to operate with autonomy, clarity of priorities, and full ownership of outcomes.
• Democratization and Operationalization of AI
• Equip the organization with the right AI tools, platforms, and reusable assets to accelerate safe, productive adoption across functions.
• Build a community of practice and an enablement framework so that teams across the bank can apply AI confidently in their day-to-day work.
• Drive change management, capability uplift, and cultural reinforcement so AI becomes embedded in everyday ways of working.Stakeholder Management and Executive Reporting.

• Prepare and run weekly Chief Customer Officer reviews and monthly CEO updates, ensuring material is high quality, aligned with strategic priorities, and prepared well in advance.
• Build trusted relationships with department heads and squad sponsors to socialize AI opportunities and convert them into prioritized, well-scoped initiatives.
• Maintain alignment with peer leaders across Enterprise Architecture, Technology Delivery, Risk, Compliance, and other AI-related functions.
Partnerships, Ecosystem, and R&D

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard external AI providers, technology partners, and strategic investment opportunities to accelerate the bank's AI ambitions.
• Build and nurture relationships across the regional and global AI ecosystem to bring leading capabilities into the bank.
• Sustain a meaningful R&D capability within the Lab, whether through in-house experimentation, academic collaborations, or co-development with vendors and partners.Agile Practice and Cross-Functional Alignment.

• Operate as an active member of the Agile community, working closely with the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO), the Agile practice, and the relevant chapters.
• Synchronize AI Lab ceremonies, releases, and planning cycles with enterprise delivery rhythms and quarterly business reviews.
People Leadership and Development

• Build, coach, and retain a high-performing, diverse team of AI product, delivery, engineering, and science talent.
• Set clear performance expectations, invest in career development, and shape a culture of accountability, curiosity, and disciplined execution.
Financial Accountability.

• Own the AI Lab's CapEx and OpEx envelope in collaboration with the AI Delivery Lead and Finance partners.
• Ensure the program is delivered within budget and that investment decisions are tied to measurable business outcomes.
Decision-Making Authority

• Prioritization and sequencing of the AI Lab portfolio within the agreed strategic envelope.
• Selection of AI tooling, platforms, and architectural patterns within enterprise governance.
• Selection and onboarding of AI vendors, partners, and research collaborators.
• Resourcing decisions across the squads, including hiring, talent allocation, and role design.
• Release and go-live decisions for AI products, in coordination with Risk, Compliance, and Technology partners.
What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related quantitative or technology discipline. A Master's or post-graduate qualification in AI, Data Science, or a related field is a plus but not required.
• 10 to 12 years of progressive experience across AI, data science, advanced analytics, or technology product delivery, with at least 3 to 4 years leading teams of engineers, data scientists, or AI product talent.
• Hands-on experience delivering AI or analytics products end-to-end, from concept through production and adoption. Direct experience with Generative AI is preferred.
• Experience working in banking, financial services, or another regulated industry is preferred. Exceptional candidates from technology, consulting, or product backgrounds with strong domain partners will also be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of initiatives, executive-level stakeholders, and a meaningful budget.
• Comfortable operating inside an agile delivery environment and partnering with product, engineering, and control functions.Required Competencies:

• AI and Machine Learning Strategy: Expert
• Generative AI, Large Language Models, and Agentic Systems: Expert
• AI Product Delivery and MLOps: Expert
• Cloud and Data Platforms: Advanced
• AI Governance, Responsible AI, and Model Risk: Advanced
• Solution Architecture for AI: Advanced
• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Awareness: Advanced