Director, AI Innovation & Productivity Lead
About The Position
The Director, AI Innovation & Productivity Lead heads the AI Innovation & Productivity function within TDS AI & Data Technology. The role tracks industry trends and model evolution, conducts experiments, proofs of concept and applied research, and shapes the roadmap and strategic direction for AI at TD Securities. It operates at the intersection of AI strategy, applied engineering and business innovation, working across TDS Technology and aligning with Global Markets, CIB, GTB, Risk and Operations. The position monitors generative AI, agentic systems, foundation models and coding assistants, and translates developments into practical implications and build, buy, partner or reuse recommendations for senior leaders. It manages a disciplined experiment portfolio with clear evaluation criteria, owns the AI innovation and productivity roadmap, advances AI-assisted software delivery, and creates a repeatable path for validated concepts to reach AI Platform Engineering and AI Product Engineering. Success is measured by the quality and strategic relevance of the innovation portfolio; clear decisions to scale, reuse, redirect or stop experiments; the time required to move validated concepts into controlled delivery; reuse across domains; measurable gains in delivery speed, quality and colleague experience; and development and retention of specialized AI talent. The role generally reports to an Executive role and, under the general job description, oversees a sizable and varied team of technology professionals.
Requirements
- Significant experience leading AI, machine-learning, data-science or software-engineering portfolios in a complex organization, including taking AI from experiment to production.
- Strong grounding in generative AI, LLMs, RAG, agentic systems, evaluation and observability.
- Solid software-engineering foundation, including architecture, APIs, cloud and DevSecOps.
- Experience building technology roadmaps and investment cases for senior executives.
- Experience in a regulated environment working with Architecture, Cybersecurity, Risk, Legal, Compliance and Model Governance.
- Strong product and commercial judgment, executive communication skills, and ability to lead through influence.
- Experience building and developing high-performing technical teams.
- Undergraduate degree or technical certificate.
- 10+ years of related experience.
- Expert knowledge of business and bank technology standards, including infrastructure, architecture, processes and applications, from a strategic perspective, and experience managing or directing teams and projects.
- Sound knowledge of external competition and emerging industry or market trends related to the business.
- Understanding of strategic direction, including financials, and ability to champion alliances and operational improvements.
Nice To Haves
- Capital markets, investment banking or other regulated financial-services experience.
- Experience with AI-assisted development practices, productivity measurement and responsible-AI lifecycle management.
- Advanced degree in computer science, engineering, AI or data science.
- External thought leadership.
Responsibilities
- Monitor generative AI, agentic systems, foundation models and coding assistants, translating developments into practical implications and build, buy, partner or reuse recommendations for senior leaders.
- Run experiments, proofs of concept and applied research using clear entry, evaluation and exit criteria for value, feasibility, data readiness, security and controls; stop or redirect initiatives that do not perform.
- Own the AI innovation and productivity roadmap for TDS Technology and present portfolio insights and investment needs to senior leadership.
- Drive AI-assisted software delivery across design, development, testing and operations with Engineering Experience & AI Enablement.
- Define evidence-based measures of engineering productivity, including speed, quality and risk.
- Create a repeatable path for validated concepts to move into AI Platform Engineering and AI Product Engineering, encouraging reuse across business domains.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with assigned clients and internal partners, and provide direction on technology solutions and services that meet business needs.
- Lead and develop technology professionals and coordinate resources across functions to deliver end-to-end solutions and services within planned forecasts and cost estimates.
- Direct large-scale applications and projects across product lines and businesses, and advocate operational improvements.
Benefits
- Base salary and variable compensation or incentive awards, potentially including cash and/or equity incentive awards through an incentive plan.
- Health and well-being benefits.
- Savings and retirement programs.
- Paid time off, including Vacation PTO, Flex PTO and Holiday PTO.
- Banking benefits and discounts.
- Career development, training, mentoring and access to an online learning platform.
- Reward and recognition.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
