2nd V.P., A.I.

2nd V.P., A.I.
Ameritas Life-Lincoln HYB-NEHY2
Information Technology
Full-time

This is a hybrid role working partially in-office (Lincoln, NE) and partially from home.

This position is responsible for collaborating with executive leadership to develop the company's AI strategy roadmap and enable the delivery of AI solutions that enable the company's strategy, mission, and goals. As the leader of AI, you will lead the AI capability for Ameritas and ensure we are advancing our use of this valuable technology in line with good standards of practice and applicability. This is your chance to shape strategy and propel AI capabilities to new horizons at Ameritas.

Utilize professional level verbal and written communication skills to deliver strategy and long-term vision to both technical and non-technical audiences. Provide clarity regarding the (AI) vision and expectations, and how the vision/strategy is aligned with and linked to the company vision/strategy. Utilize extensive expertise from a broad spectrum of data domains, encompassing data privacy, security measures, analytical methods, data management, and governance protocols.

Effectively partner with the security and legal functions to ensure compliance standards and processes are met to include protections for Intellectual Property. Build internal recognition as a trusted partner by business and functions, while maintaining strong relationships with senior leaders to champion collaboration across the enterprise. Utilize strong executive presence to deliver presentations and messages to broad audiences including executive leaders. Act as a champion of change leadership. Challenge the status quo in support of new technology directions.

At Ameritas, our mission is Fulfilling Life. We do that in many ways, but especially by helping people invest in themselves by offering trusted financial products and advice. Because we believe everyone should be happy, healthy, and financially secure, we work hard to provide trusted financial products and valued guidance, including individual life and disability insurance, employee benefits, retirement planning, investments, and wealth management services.

What you do

• Develop and lead a comprehensive AI strategy across the company, through effective collaboration with internal stakeholders (business & enterprise services), aligning with business objectives and product roadmaps to drive tangible business growth with a key focus on people, process, and technology.
• Develop & lead the AI capability at Ameritas including facilitation of a cross functional AI Council to determine and prioritize AI investments; participate in other emerging technology, innovation, and information governance councils.
• Define guiding principles of solution decisions for the enterprise; define corresponding KPIs; assess enterprise level drivers to determine corresponding technology, people, and process change requirements.
• Develop, champion, and execute standards, governance structure(s), and appropriate training programs to ensure AI systems are ethically and responsibly developed and utilized. This includes addressing issues such as bias in AI algorithms, fair representation of data, and transparency in AI decision-making.
• Oversee AI technologies and solutions implementation within the organization on relevant business use cases; collaborate with key stakeholders.
• Lead growth, culture, and continuous evolvement of innovative AI technical capabilities across the enterprise.
• Lead analysis of technology, industry, and emerging market trends to determine their potential impact and benefit within the enterprise.
• Collaborate closely with Executive & Leadership team(s) (including but not limited to CAIO, CIO, CISO, Legal, and Risk) to implement protection measures for Intellectual Property and data from unauthorized access, breaches, and misuse.
• Advise and collaborate with external and internal partners in driving strategic projects.
• Collaborate with information governance and data analytics team to ensure strategic alignment.

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 7-10 years of progressive, relevant technology, engineering, and/or analytics experience required.
• Financial services and/or insurance industry experience desired.
• Expert level knowledge of architecture principles, practices, and standards (to ensure a well architected and secure environment) required.
• 5+ years' experience at the Director/2VP level, leading highly complex business segments or corporate divisions desired.
• 5+ years' experience in strategizing, shaping, and driving business value using Artificial Intelligence desired.
• 5+ years' experience in traditional Machine Learning and deep learning techniques to solve complex business problems desired.
• 5+ years' experience creating long-term roadmaps and providing strategic thought leadership for multi-year planning desired.
• Experience building team capabilities and business case discipline for aligning long term investment strategies and objectives desired.
• 5+ years' experience influencing senior leaders on industry trends and emerging technologies (in anticipation of new business processes and systems) desired.
• Strong experience and knowledge of digital tools and services, cloud environments, automation, operational AI, and deployment tools/environments desired.

What We Offer

• Our company motto is "Fulfilling Life" and we take that job seriously, with a heavy commitment to volunteering and community support, employee well-being, and providing quality products and services that help our customers create a brighter future.
• Being a mutual-based organization, the return on our investment goes back into the company, to benefit our members/customers.
• We're committed to professional development, opportunity, inclusion and diversity. Team building and collaboration are also priorities.
• A total rewards package with all the comprehensive health and welfare benefits you'd expect, including competitive pay and incentives, 401(k), flexible work schedules and time off to care for yourself and others.
• Additional popular benefits, including tuition reimbursement, and student loan repayment, an incentivized well-being program, adoption assistance, paid time off for volunteering, training, and career development opportunities.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Ameritas has a reputation as a company that cares, and because everyone should feel safe bringing their authentic, whole self to work, we're committed to an inclusive culture and diverse workplace, enriched by our individual differences. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that hires based on qualifications, positive attitude, and exemplary work ethic, regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.