Citi is establishing a new, unified firmwide AI organization under a newly created Group Head of Artificial Intelligence - merging the firm's Head of AI and CTO responsibilities into a single executive accountable for AI-led transformation across every business and function. This post-merger structure is intentionally distinct from prior models and will be the engine through which Citi competes in the AI era.
The Head of AI-First Development is the leader who re-architects how Citi builds products. The mandate is to make AI the default across the firm's entire Product Development Lifecycle - from requirements through code, test, and deployment. This is a rare Managing Director level mandate to lead one of the largest engineering productivity transformations in global financial services.
Why This Role
You will redefine what it means to build products. The platform you build and the workflows you establish will shape how all of Citi’s businesses ship products and will be one of the largest, most visible bets the firm makes on the productivity of its own people. Few seats in financial services offer a comparable canvas for an engineering leader.
Key Responsibilities
AI-First PDLC
Re-architect Citi's end-to-end Product Development Lifecycle (PDLC) so that AI is the default - across requirements gathering, design, code, test, deployment, and operations.
Define and own the firm's reference workflows, standards, and patterns for AI-first product development; partner with the broader Tech and Product organizations to drive consistent adoption.
Continuously evolve the PDLC as the underlying AI tooling, models, and developer practices mature.
Agentic Developer-Experience Platform
Own the agentic product development platform including agentic requirements tools, testing tools, coding tools, AI-assisted code review, automated testing, and deployment agents.
Define the firm's "build vs. buy vs. partner" strategy for developer AI tooling; manage the relationships with the agentic coding vendors and platform providers that matter most.
Establish the engineering productivity metrics, telemetry, and feedback loops that Leadership, Governance & Reporting
What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months)
A defined, adopted AI-first PDLC reference workflow, with named pilot organizations operating end-to-end against it.
A consolidated, supported end to end agentic development platform live for a meaningful adoption, with credible telemetry on usage and productivity.
A trusted, transparent engineering productivity scorecard accepted by Tech leadership and the CFO.
A visible shift in product development culture toward AI-first as the default.
Qualifications
15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience, including senior roles owning developer experience, developer platforms, or engineering productivity at scale - ideally inside an elite engineering culture (top-tier tech firm, hyperscaler, or major bank with a serious engineering bar).
Seasoned DevEx / developer-platform leader - has personally built and run a developer platform serving thousands (ideally tens of thousands) of engineers, with demonstrable productivity outcomes.
Deep, current expertise in agentic coding tools and the AI-first SDLC - fluent in the modern landscape (agentic IDEs, code-generation models, AI-assisted review and test, deployment agents) and the operational realities of running them at enterprise scale.
Influential change agent - proven ability to win over skeptical users and engineers; leads through credibility and outcomes, not mandate.
Strong product instinct - runs the platform as a true product, with clear users, telemetry, prioritization, and outcome accountability.
Strong appreciation of Cyber security and Architectural standardization concerns, to work in partnership with the CISO and CTO teams.
Cross-functional influencer - proven ability to operate in a matrixed environment across platform, controls, HR, and the broader Tech organization without direct authority over all of them.
Risk & Compliance awareness – understands and fully appreciates risks, controls, and regulatory expectations as they apply to AI-assisted development in global banking.
Excellent communication - credible with engineers, engineering leaders, business stakeholders, controls partners, and regulators alike.
Financial Services fluency preferred; comparable experience in another regulated, large-scale engineering environment will be considered.
Education
Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Advanced technical degree or MBA preferred.
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Job Family Group: Technology------------------------------------------------------
Job Family:Applications Development------------------------------------------------------
Time Type:Full time------------------------------------------------------
Primary Location:New York New York United States------------------------------------------------------
Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:$250,000.00 - $500,000.00
In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.
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Most Relevant Skills Please see the requirements listed above.------------------------------------------------------
Other Relevant Skills For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.------------------------------------------------------
Anticipated Posting Close Date:------------------------------------------------------
Citi is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi.
View Citi’s EEO Policy Statement and the Know Your Rights poster.
Skills Required
- 15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience
- Deep expertise in agentic coding tools and the AI-first SDLC
- Strong product management instincts
- Excellent communication skills with diverse stakeholders
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
- Advanced technical degree or MBA preferred
Citi Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Citi and has not been reviewed or approved by Citi.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits coverage is positioned as comprehensive, including health, dental, and vision insurance plus on-site clinics, prescription drug support, and disability coverage. Family-building support such as fertility assistance is described as a notable differentiator within the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are framed as strong, highlighted by a 401(k) with matching and additional plan options like a Roth 401(k). Financial support is reinforced through discounts and broader financial guidance resources tied to the benefits ecosystem.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing support extends beyond insurance through programs like an Employee Assistance Program, counseling/legal resources, and gym or wellness reimbursement. These offerings increase the perceived total rewards value even when cash compensation sentiment varies by role.
Citi Insights
What We Do
Citi's mission is to serve as a trusted partner to our clients by responsibly providing financial services that enable growth and economic progress. Our core activities are safeguarding assets, lending money, making payments and accessing the capital markets on behalf of our clients. We have 200 years of experience helping our clients meet the world's toughest challenges and embrace its greatest opportunities. We are Citi, the global bank – an institution connecting millions of people across hundreds of countries and cities.
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