Director-AI Strategy & Solutions

About Our Company

We’re a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of year-end 2024. Our team of 22,000 people across 19 countries, serves more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses – Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

Job Description

Leads the execution and operationalization of enterprise AI initiatives, ensuring AI strategy is translated into scalable, business-impacting solutions. Partners across business and technology teams to drive delivery, adoption, and measurable outcomes, while maintaining strong alignment to enterprise priorities and governance. Acts as a senior program leader with end-to-end accountability for execution, value realization, and executive alignment across priority AI initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Enterprise AI Execution & Operationalization: Translate enterprise AI strategy into actionable roadmaps, delivery plans, and implementation milestones. Drive end-to-end execution of priority AI initiatives across multiple business areas. Ensure AI solutions move from concept to pilot to scaled deployment, and ultimately to sustained adoption. Own delivery outcomes across initiatives, including scope, timelines, and measurable business impact.
• Program & Portfolio Delivery: Lead a portfolio of AI use cases and programs across the enterprise. Establish and manage delivery discipline (prioritization, dependencies, timelines, risk mitigation). Ensure outcomes are tied to clear business value (e.g., productivity, growth, cost, risk). Drive integrated program plans, track KPIs and milestones, and proactively manage risks, dependencies, and execution challenges, escalating as needed.
• Cross-Enterprise Partnership Partner with Business leaders across functions, Technology, Data & Analytics team, and Risk, Legal, and Governance teams. Align stakeholders around what gets delivered and how, while shaping execution priorities and ensuring alignment to enterprise AI strategy. Engage senior leaders, including ELT stakeholders, to drive alignment, inform decision-making, and ensure transparency on progress, risks, and outcomes. Act as a clear point of accountability for progress and results.
• Technical & Solution Leadership: Provide informed direction on AI/ML and GenAI solutions to ensure fit-for-purpose design. Bridge strategy and execution by helping teams define use cases, select appropriate approaches/models, and ensure scalability and integration. Stay current on emerging AI capabilities and translate into practical application.
• Adoption, Change & Value Realization: Drive business adoption of AI solutions, not just delivery. Define metrics and success measures and track realization of expected outcomes. Partner with HR / change / comms teams to support workflow integration and behavior change. Ensure value realization is clearly defined, tracked, and communicated, with a focus on measurable outcomes.
• Governance & Responsible AI: Ensure adherence to enterprise AI governance, risk, and compliance frameworks. Operationalize responsible AI practices (e.g., transparency, fairness, controls). Support approval processes and risk assessments for AI deployments. Ensure alignment to the enterprise AI operating model, embedding best practices across data, technology, risk, talent, and change management.
• Matrix Team Leadership: Lead through influence and build strong execution capability and accountability across a broad cross-functional team. Create consistency in delivery methodologies and standards. Foster a high-performance, results-oriented environment; drive clarity, accountability, and continuous improvement across teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience.
• 10+ years of experience relevant in AI, data/analytics, digital, or large-scale transformation (preferably experience in strategy consulting).
• Demonstrated success in operating with an enterprise mindset and delivering complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong understanding of: AI/ML and GenAI applications, data platforms and enterprise technology environments.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and influence across technical and business stakeholders to drive alignment and decisions.
• Ability to build strong relationships and lead effectively in a matrixed environment without direct authority. Experience aligning stakeholders on priorities, trade-offs, and timelines.
• Experience driving execution across multiple stakeholder groups
• Ability to translate strategy into clear, actionable plans and delivered outcomes.
• Experience driving adoption and change, ensuring solutions are embedded and delivering business value.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment, make timely decisions, and navigate ambiguity confidently.
• Experience leading large-scale programs or transformation initiatives with clear accountability for outcomes.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions and optimize execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, Data Science or related field).
• Experience leading enterprise programs.
• Financial services or regulated industry experience.
• Background balancing technical depth with program leadership.
• Familiarity with AI governance and responsible AI frameworks.
• Experience in consulting, strategy, or similar roles supporting enterprise transformation initiatives.

Base Pay Salary

The estimated base salary for this role is $171,100 - $236,000 a year. We have a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy. Your initial total compensation may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location. In addition, most of our roles are eligible for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long-term incentives depending on the role. We also have a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being, including but not limited to vacation time, sick time, 401(k), and health, dental and life insurances.Full timeExemptDataAWMPO AWMP&S President's Office

Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, disability status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.