Director, Technology

First National Bank of Omaha•Omaha, NE

14h

About The Position

Lead FNBO's technology strategy and execution for the Core Banking Platform, the foundational system powering deposits and loan accounts across the enterprise. This role is critical to the stability, evolution, and modernization of FNBO's core banking infrastructure. The ideal candidate brings a passion for continuous improvement — across people, processes, and technology — and thrives in a fast-paced environment that demands the ability to balance day-to-day business delivery, bank acquisition integration, and long-term technology modernization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
10+ years of progressive technology experience in financial services, with at least 7+ years in technology leadership roles
Demonstrated success managing complex, high-availability systems in regulated environments
Deep understanding of core banking platforms, with direct experience with a leading core banking platform strongly preferred
Hands-on background with COBOL development and mainframe operations, with the ability to credibly lead and grow a team of mainframe engineers
Experience with distributed systems, API integration, and cloud-based infrastructure — and a clear vision for how these technologies complement and modernize core banking environments
Familiarity with bank acquisition integration processes and the technical complexity of migrating or onboarding acquired institutions onto a core platform
Understanding of data architecture, batch processing, and real-time transaction processing in a core banking context
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex mainframe and modernization concepts for business and executive audiences
Proven ability to balance competing priorities — including production stability, acquisition timelines, and modernization initiatives — without sacrificing quality or team morale
Strong vendor management skills and experience negotiating technology contracts and managing third-party integrations
Demonstrated success leading teams through organizational and technology change, with a people-first approach to transformation
Operates with a high degree of organization and structure, holding themselves and their team accountable to commitments, timelines, and outcomes across a demanding and dynamic workload

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with core banking platform administration, configuration, or development
Track record of leading mainframe-to-modern migration or coexistence strategies
Experience supporting or leading technology workstreams in bank acquisition and core conversion projects
Background in building hybrid teams that bridge mainframe expertise with modern engineering practices
Knowledge of DevOps, CI/CD, and agile delivery practices applied in a core banking context

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a technology roadmap for the Core Banking Platform that balances operational stability with modernization priorities
Partner with division and business leaders to identify opportunities to enhance core banking capabilities and streamline processes
Establish governance frameworks that enable innovation while maintaining the reliability and compliance standards expected of mission-critical banking infrastructure
Anticipate evolving business needs and think strategically about how the Core Banking Platform must scale and adapt to support FNBO's growth — including expansion into new markets, increased transaction volumes, and the integration demands of a larger, more complex institution
Oversee the architecture, development, and maintenance of the Core Banking Platform supporting deposits and loan account processing
Lead modernization initiatives to evolve legacy mainframe capabilities toward distributed and cloud-based architectures without disrupting critical operations
Direct the evaluation and integration of third-party solutions and acquired bank systems into the core banking ecosystem
Ensure seamless integration between core banking infrastructure and surrounding enterprise systems, including digital channels, data platforms, and downstream applications
Champion process improvement initiatives that increase team efficiency, reduce technical debt, and improve system reliability
Manage a diverse team of technology professionals including mainframe engineers, architects, and analysts, as well as a third-party offshore team of COBOL developers
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, curiosity, and technical excellence — encouraging the team to grow beyond traditional mainframe skill sets
Develop talent through mentorship, cross-training in modern technologies, and clear career growth pathways
Build strong collaborative relationships between the core banking team and business stakeholders, product owners, and other technology teams
Ensure all core banking systems meet regulatory requirements including OCC standards and applicable federal banking regulations
Implement and maintain robust data security measures to protect sensitive financial and customer account information
Oversee disaster recovery and business continuity planning for the Core Banking Platform as a mission-critical system
Collaborate with compliance, risk management, and audit teams on technology risk assessments and remediation efforts