Technology Strategy and Integration

Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director, MPF Technology Strategy & Initiatives provides strategic and operational leadership for technology-forward initiatives supporting Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF), driving disciplined end-to-end product strategy. The role partners with technology and operations leadership to shape and modernize the technology platform, using emerging technologies to meet the current and future demands of FHLB System membership. It also develops and directs a structured program to expand implementation teams’ responsible, practical use of artificial intelligence tools in project delivery and day-to-day work. The position leads strategic business and technology initiatives that modernize the external stakeholder experience and strengthen how the MPF Program uses technology, data, and digital capabilities to create value. Focus areas may include cloud, APIs, data lakehouse and Databricks capabilities, reporting, loan servicing modernization, business resiliency, and QA automation. Working with MPF Program leadership and teams across the business and technology, the Assistant Director influences strategic planning and translates strategy into disciplined execution. The role provides senior-level leadership for cross-functional initiatives, aligns stakeholders, establishes governance and success measures, manages strategic partner relationships as needed, and anticipates technology, vendor, and delivery risks. It also supports team development through coaching, knowledge sharing, repeatable practices, and succession and development planning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, engineering, data, finance, or a related field.
At least 10 years of relevant work experience in technology, financial services, product strategy, systems delivery, or a related field.
At least 10 years of leadership experience, including leading people, programs, major initiatives, or cross-functional teams.
Demonstrated experience applying AI tools in a development, delivery, product, or business environment.
Experience designing and leading technology-enabled business initiatives, including structured use of AI, API development or enablement, data platforms, reporting, systems modernization, or related capabilities.
Experience developing business strategy, product strategy, business cases, and implementation plans.
Extensive technology background and ability to connect technical capabilities to business strategy and customer value.
Strong understanding of AI tools, responsible adoption considerations, and practical use in development, delivery, and business workflows.
Knowledge of APIs, data architecture, data integration, analytics, reporting, cloud or data platform capabilities, and systems modernization.
Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and determine how they may improve business outcomes, efficiency, quality, or stakeholder experience.
Strong strategic planning, product management, program leadership, and disciplined execution capabilities.
Strong executive-level verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
Ability to build business cases, define success measures, track effectiveness, and communicate recommendations to senior management.
Ability to lead through influence and work effectively with cross-functional teams at technical and business levels.
Advanced collaboration, communication, listening, facilitation, and relationship-management skills.
Ability to navigate ambiguity, establish structure, prioritize competing needs, and advance complex initiatives.
Ability to develop productive third-party partnerships and manage strategic vendor relationships.
Ability to coach others, transfer knowledge, and build sustainable team capability.

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred.
Financial services experience; mortgage industry experience preferred.
Experience across the mortgage lifecycle, including loan origination, servicing, and secondary marketing, is a plus.
Knowledge of first mortgage operations and the secondary mortgage market is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for MPF technology, business, and AI strategies, establishing priorities and practical roadmaps aligned with Bank and business goals.
Develop and lead a structured program and methodology for responsible use of AI tools in project work, systems development, delivery, analysis, and day-to-day activities.
Partner with development, delivery, architecture, data, and business teams to promote adoption of AI and other emerging technologies within Bank standards.
Lead strategic business initiatives to modernize the external stakeholder experience, including APIs, data lakehouse and Databricks capabilities, reporting, loan servicing modernization, and business resiliency.
Use a data-centric approach to inform business strategy and translate customer needs into technology-enabled opportunities, business cases, implementation plans, and measurable outcomes.
Participate in long-term strategic planning, providing technology perspectives and strategies to help the MPF Program evolve and meet future stakeholder needs.
Collaborate with business and technology groups across the Bank to ensure technical and strategic alignment.
Provide senior-level business leadership for cross-functional technology initiatives, balancing customer value, operational needs, risk, cost, and long-term sustainability.
Build alignment among technical and business stakeholders by communicating complex concepts clearly and facilitating decisions.
Identify opportunities to improve technology adoption, data use, process efficiency, team capability, and delivery effectiveness.
Establish governance, success measures, and reporting for assigned programs and initiatives; communicate progress, risks, and recommendations to senior management.
Develop and manage strategic relationships with technology partners and third parties as needed.
Strengthen team depth by sharing expertise, coaching others, building repeatable practices, and supporting succession and development planning.
Anticipate technology, vendor, and delivery risks and develop appropriate mitigation and continuity strategies.