Senior Director Data Modernization and Artificial Intelligence
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

• 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.

• Master's degree preferred.
• Certifications in Data Management (e.g., Certified Data Professional and Artificial Intelligence).