AVP/VP – AI Transformations Manager

Who We Are

Cross River builds the infrastructure behind the world’s most innovative financial products. Our technology and capital solutions power payments, cards, lending, and digital asset capabilities that move money safely, instantly, and inclusively — trusted by leading fintechs, enterprises, and disruptors across the globe.

Our mission is simple: to build the financial infrastructure that expands access and opportunity for all. Guided by a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and purpose, Cross River has been named one of American Banker’s Best Places to Work in Fintech year after year. Whether you’re designing code, solving regulatory puzzles, or developing strategy, you’ll join a team where innovation and integrity drive everything we do — and where your work helps shape the future of finance.

What We're Looking For

The AI Transformation Manager reports to the Chief Data and AI Officer and plays a critical role in driving Cross River’s AI-led transformation and commercialization strategy. This position is responsible for orchestrating the end-to-end implementation of AI initiatives across the enterprise—bridging strategy, productization, compliance, and delivery to ensure measurable business impact. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in AI/ML program management with a pragmatic understanding of financial services and regulatory environments.

Responsibilities:

Strategy & Governance

• Define and manage the AI Transformation roadmap, ensuring alignment with Cross River’s strategic objectives, regulatory standards, and innovation priorities.
• Partner with business, data, and technology leaders to identify AI-driven opportunities for efficiency, risk management, and new revenue models.
• Establish a governance framework for AI projects, including evaluation metrics, responsible AI principles, and lifecycle management.
• Oversee commercialization of AI capabilities, enabling scalable deployment of internal tools and potential external monetization opportunities.

Program Execution & Delivery

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of AI initiatives across multiple business domains—banking, lending, risk, compliance, and customer experience.
• Develop and maintain a portfolio management system for all AI programs, ensuring transparency on timelines, costs, dependencies, and outcomes.
• Ensure data readiness and model governance across all AI deployments in close partnership with data engineering and compliance teams.
• Track and report on transformation metrics, including adoption, ROI, and productivity gains.

Collaboration & Change Management

• Partner with product, engineering, operations, and risk teams to embed AI solutions into enterprise workflows.
• Drive organizational change management to enable smooth adoption of AI technologies, ensuring training and alignment across teams.
• Serve as a liaison between business and technical teams, translating complex AI capabilities into actionable business insights.
• Promote a culture of responsible AI innovation that balances experimentation with ethical standards and risk management.

Commercialization & Market Enablement

• Identify opportunities to externalize AI capabilities through partnerships, APIs, and new product lines.
• Collaborate with external vendors, startups, and research organizations to expand the bank’s AI ecosystem.
• Support the Chief Data and AI Officer in defining AI monetization strategies and evaluating go-to-market models.

Basic Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in technology, analytics, or transformation roles, with at least 5 years in AI/ML program or product management.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional AI initiatives from conception through implementation in a regulated industry (preferably financial services, fintech, or banking).
• Strong understanding of AI platforms, MLOps, model governance, and data management frameworks.
• Experience managing stakeholder engagement, budgets, and vendor relationships for large-scale transformation programs.
• Exceptional ability to translate technical AI concepts into business outcomes and communicate effectively at all organizational levels.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Business, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Prior experience applying AI solutions in regulated environments, such as banking, healthcare, or insurance.
• Familiarity with AI governance frameworks, including bias mitigation, interpretability, and model monitoring.
• Experience in commercialization or business development related to AI-driven products or services.
• PMP, Agile, or equivalent program management certification preferred.

Leadership & Impact:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a track record of driving complex, multi-stakeholder AI initiatives, combining visionary thinking with disciplined execution. They will be a trusted advisor to the Chief Data and AI Officer and a change leader influencing how AI transforms Cross River’s core business and innovation strategy.

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Salary Range: $170,000.00 - $200,000.00