IT Director I - Automation and AI Corporate Technology and Governance

Western Alliance Bank • Phoenix, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As the Director of Automation and AI for the Corporate Technology and Governance (CTG) team, you will provide strategic leadership and hands‑on direction for the design, build, and governance of automation and AI solutions supporting the CTG organization. This role partners closely with CTG technology leaders, risk and governance stakeholders, enterprise architecture, security, data teams, and approved third‑party vendors to deliver targeted automation and AI capabilities that improve efficiency, strengthen controls, and enable better decision making across CTG functions. In this role, you are accountable for oversight, governance, and driving execution of automation and AI solutions, ensuring they are identified, built, implemented, and sustained in alignment with CTG priorities and enterprise standards. You will balance innovation with operational discipline, regulatory awareness, and strong risk management practices appropriate for a financial services environment.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, including responsibility for delivering automation, analytics, or AI‑enabled solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Proven experience leading solution delivery teams and driving execution in regulated or risk‑aware environments.
• Strong understanding of automation technologies, AI/ML concepts, workflow platforms, and decision‑support solutions.
• Experience establishing governance, standards, and operating practices for automation and AI while remaining accountable for delivery outcomes.
• Financial services, banking, or similarly regulated industry experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to translate CTG business needs into practical automation and AI solutions with measurable results.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to influence across technology, risk, and business stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive‑level presentations and governance materials.
• Experience with vendor management, platform selection, and third‑party solution delivery.
• Ability to balance innovation with regulatory, security, and operational resilience requirements.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the automation and AI strategy for the Corporate Technology and Governance organization, aligned to CTG business objectives and technology roadmaps.
• Drive the design and delivery of automation and AI solutions supporting CTG functions such as governance, risk, compliance, identity, access and service management, operational resilience, and corporate systems oversight.
• Partner with CTG leaders to identify high‑value use cases, develop business cases, and prioritize initiatives that reduce manual effort, improve data quality, enhance controls, and increase operational effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain CTG‑specific standards, guardrails, and governance for automation and AI, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, security, data governance, and regulatory expectations.
• Oversee end‑to‑end solution delivery, including requirements definition, design, testing, deployment, and ongoing support, ensuring solutions are scalable, auditable, and resilient.
• Ensure appropriate controls are embedded in automation and AI solutions, including change management, monitoring, exception handling, documentation, and supportability.
• Coordinate with enterprise technology, risk, security, and data partners to ensure CTG automation and AI solutions comply with policies, standards, and supervisory expectations.
• Evaluate platforms, tools, and vendor solutions relevant to CTG automation and AI needs, making recommendations consistent with approved enterprise technologies.
• Track performance, value realization, and risk indicators for CTG automation and AI initiatives, providing clear and actionable reporting to CTG and technology leadership.
• Lead, develop, and retain a high‑performing team, including resource planning, talent development, and performance management.
• Participate in annual planning, budget development, and investment decision processes related to CTG automation and AI initiatives.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Ownership stake in the company
• Medical and dental insurance
• Time off
• Great 401k matching program
• Tuition assistance program
• Employee volunteer program
• Wellness program
• Opportunity to bolster business knowledge, learning the ins and outs of how successful companies operate and manage their finances, giving you invaluable hands-on experience to help grow your career!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director