Executive Director, AI Architect and Strategist

Posted 8 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Charlotte, NC, USA
Hybrid
185K-300K Annually
Senior level
Fintech • Financial Services
Wells Fargo: Tech-powered. Innovation-led. We're transforming financial services.
The Role
Lead strategy and architecture for agentic AI across Commercial and Corporate & Investment Banking. Define reference architectures, governance, standards, and build prototypes. Partner with business, risk, compliance, and technology teams to ensure scalable, secure, and responsible AI adoption.
Summary Generated by Built In
About this role:
Wells Fargo is seeking an Executive Director, AI Architect and Strategist to help define the future of agentic AI across Commercial Banking and Corporate & Investment Banking. These are individual contributor roles focused on shaping strategy, architecture, standards, frameworks, and working prototypes that guide the development of AI-powered products and agentic systems across the organization.
Successful candidates will combine deep technical expertise with strategic thinking, helping establish the point of view, reference architectures, governance models, and implementation patterns that enable the responsible adoption of agentic AI in a highly regulated environment.
In this role, you will:
  • Define and evolve architectural frameworks, reference patterns, and standards for AI and agentic systems
  • Develop and communicate thought leadership, position papers, and strategic recommendations that shape enterprise AI direction
  • Build working prototypes and reference implementations to validate emerging technologies, patterns, and architectural approaches
  • Evaluate industry trends, technologies, and market developments to identify durable capabilities and strategic opportunities
  • Partner with business, product, data, technology, risk, compliance, and innovation teams to guide AI solution design and implementation
  • Establish best practices for scalability, reliability, governance, observability, security, and operational excellence
  • Advise stakeholders on architecture decisions, platform strategy, build-versus-buy considerations, and technology roadmaps
  • Translate complex technical concepts into clear recommendations for senior business and technology leaders
  • Influence large-scale initiatives through expertise and thought leadership rather than formal authority
  • Help ensure AI capabilities are implemented responsibly, effectively, and in alignment
Required Qualifications:
  • 7+ years of Artificial Intelligence Solutions experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
Desired Qualifications:
  • 7+ years of experience in AI, software architecture, machine learning, data platforms, or related technology disciplines
  • Recognized expertise in one or more areas including agentic AI, AI architecture, AI governance, retrieval and knowledge systems, AI platforms, data architecture, or capital markets technology
  • Demonstrated ability to define technical strategy and influence enterprise-level architecture decisions
  • Strong hands-on technical capabilities, including building prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and reference implementations
  • Experience developing frameworks, standards, patterns, or architectural guidance that others adopt and scale
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate complex concepts to both technical and executive audiences
  • Experience operating in highly regulated environments is preferred
  • Ability to influence across diverse stakeholder groups without direct management authority
Job Expectations:
  • This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship
  • Specific compliance policies may apply regarding outside activities or personal investing; affected employees will be expected to provide information to the Wells Fargo Personal Account Dealing Team and abide by applicable policy requirements if hired. Information will be shared about expectations during the recruitment process
  • Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
This position offers a hybrid work schedule from one of the following locations:
  • 2700 S Price Road A Building - Chandler, Arizona 85286
  • 333 Market Street - San Francisco, California 94105
  • 400 Hamilton Avenue - Palo Alto, California 94301
  • 1800 Century Park E - Los Angeles, California 90067
  • 333 S Grand Avenue - Los Angeles, California 90071
  • 1700 K Street NW Ste 103 - Washington, DC 20006
  • 1699 Coral Way - Miami, Florida 33145
  • 10 S Wacker Drive - Chicago, Illinois 60606
  • 125 High Street - Boston, Massachusetts
  • 600 S 4th Street - Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • 114 N Beaumont Street Bldg D - St. Louis, Missouri 63103
  • 550 S Tryon Street - Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
  • 100 N 18th Street - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
  • 401 Las Colinas Blvd W - Irving, Texas 75039
  • 1000 Louisiana Street - Houston, Texas 77002
  • 1021 E Cary Street - Richmond, Virginia 23219
  • 999 3rd Avenue - Seattle, Washington 98104
#commercialbanking
Pay Range
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.
$185,000.00 - $300,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.
  • Health benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid time off
  • Disability benefits
  • Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
  • Parental leave
  • Critical caregiving leave
  • Discounts and savings
  • Commuter benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Scholarships for dependent children
  • Adoption reimbursement
Posting End Date:
23 Jul 2026
* Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo .
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.
#BI-Hybrid

Skills Required

  • 7+ years of Artificial Intelligence Solutions experience or equivalent
  • Ability to travel up to 30% of the time
  • Recognized expertise in agentic AI, AI architecture, AI governance, retrieval and knowledge systems, AI platforms, data architecture, or capital markets technology
  • Demonstrated ability to define technical strategy and influence enterprise-level architecture decisions
  • Strong hands-on technical capability building prototypes, proofs-of-concept, and reference implementations
  • Experience developing frameworks, standards, patterns, or architectural guidance that others adopt and scale
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills to articulate complex concepts to technical and executive audiences
  • Experience operating in highly regulated environments

Wells Fargo Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength Health coverage begins on day 1 with medical, dental, and vision, and includes mental health, prescription drugs, and preventive care often covered at 100% in-network. Well-being resources such as 24-hour clinical support and an Employee Assistance Program add to the breadth.
  • Parental & Family Support Paid parental leave provides up to 16 weeks for a primary caregiver (4 weeks for non-primary) alongside fertility benefits and up to a $35,000 lifetime reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, and donor expenses. Backup child and adult care further supports family needs.
  • Retirement Support Retirement benefits feature a 401(k) with company matching contributions up to 6% of eligible pay. An employee stock purchase plan adds another avenue for long-term savings.

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The Company
HQ: San Francisco, CA
205,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1852

What We Do

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $2.2 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 33 on Fortune’s 2025 rankings of America’s largest corporations. Our technology professionals drive innovation, information security, and big data analytics while maintaining a network that handles more than 12 billion customer interactions a year. Join us! Are you looking for more? Find it here. At Wells Fargo, we're more than a financial services leader – we’re a global trailblazer committed to driving innovation, empowering communities, and helping our customers succeed. We believe that a meaningful career is much more than just a job – it’s about finding all of the elements to help you thrive, in one place. Living the Well Life means you’re supported in life, not just work. It means having robust benefits, competitive compensation, and programs designed to help you find work-life balance and well-being. You’ll be rewarded for investing in your community, celebrated for being your authentic self, and empowered to grow. And we’re recognized for it — Wells Fargo continues to rank on the LinkedIn Top Companies lists of best workplaces “to grow your career.” All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic. © 2026 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

Why Work With Us

We're known for our “Well Life” approach to supporting employees’ career aspirations, work-life balance, and mental and physical health. Wells Fargo continues to rank on the LinkedIn Top Companies lists of best workplaces “to grow your career.”

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Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

Typical time on-site: 3 days a week
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