Vice President, Head of AI Strategy

Ameriprise Financial is seeking a strategic and results-driven Vice President, Head of AI Strategy who understands the power of AI to transform financial services while respecting the rigor, governance, and trust that define the industry. We’re seeking a forward-thinking executive to lead our enterprise-wide artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI strategy, balancing innovation with accountability in a highly regulated, client-centric environment.
Accountable for building a structure and strategy for development and management of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI for the enterprise that provides a robust data-driven organization, including creating a centralized function and guardrails for business entrepreneurship. Drives impactful data science across multiple areas to lead growth, efficiency and risk reduction in line with key company priorities. Reporting to the Head of Business Operations & Enterprise Transformation, this leader operates as a strategically oriented thought partner, supporting the continued growth of the enterprise while playing a key role in influencing and operationalizing strategic transformation initiatives, in partnership with Technology and Enterprise Data Analytics & Insights teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Evolve the Vision for AI Across Enterprise: Define and lead the strategic roadmap for AI and generative AI, ensuring alignment with business priorities, risk frameworks, and shareholder value.
• Establish Guardrails for Innovation: Build an enterprise AI roadmap that enables responsible experimentation, with clear governance, ethical standards, and business enablement.
• Drive Business Value Through AI: Collaborate with Intelligent Automation (IA), Enterprise Data Analytics & Insights (EDAI), finance, risk, and business leaders to evaluate use cases, prioritize investments, and embed AI into decision-making and operational processes.
• Accelerate Innovation Thoughtfully: Partner with the EDAI team and cross-functional stakeholders to prototype and deploy advanced analytics solutions that are both impactful and scalable.
• Champion a Culture of Test-and-Learn: Promote disciplined experimentation and continuous improvement in how analytics and AI are applied across financial services operations.
• Retool: Operate within the Transformation Center of Excellence (CoE) to establish and empower an AI strategy that drives enterprise-wide value by modernizing existing AI capabilities and developing new, fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Build AI-First Capabilities: Partner with relevant stakeholders to define and operationalize the AI roadmap and investment priorities, scaling AI capabilities across the enterprise to accelerate transformation and impact.
• Lead Enterprise Governance Forums: Co-lead the Data & Analytics and lead the AI leadership Council, shaping enterprise-level decisions on AI capability building, data governance, tools, talent, adoption and resource allocation. Present recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team.
• Build Strategic Relationships: Foster strong partnerships across IA, technology, risk, finance, and analytics teams to ensure cohesive, well-governed AI strategies. Craft and operationalize an enterprise-wide AI strategy through influence, alignment and partnership instead of direct ownership.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience, including 7-10 years in consulting, strategy, or analytics leadership roles, with a proven track record of leading enterprise-level strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in helping design, develop, and deploy AI and advanced analytics solutions that deliver measurable business impact. Familiarity with model development, risk management, and integration into business processes is essential.
• Deep understanding of data management, governance, and analytics methodologies. Skilled in translating data insights into actionable strategies and scalable solutions.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders, drive cross-functional alignment, and foster innovation in complex, regulated environments as well as experience managing teams and navigating matrixed organizations is highly valued.
• Financial Services Experience (Preferred): Experience working within financial services or similarly regulated industries is highly preferred. Understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in applying AI within a risk-aware, client-centric culture.
• Executive Presence & Influence: Comfortable presenting to and advising senior leadership, including C-suite stakeholders. Able to build trust and credibility while advocating for innovation and change.

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 2024. With our team of more than 20,000 people in 20 countries, we advise, manage and protect assets and income of 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.

The estimated base salary for this role is $275,000 - $350,000/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 timeExemptDataFPPS Wealth Management Solutions