Head of Artificial Intelligence and Insights

Company: SMBC Group
Location: Charlotte
Posted on: March 6, 2026

Job Description:

SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 130 offices and 80,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges. In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization’s extensive global network. The Group’s operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC MANUBANK, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. Role Description Our client is seeking a Managing Director to lead AI Strategy & Commercialization as part of a broader, multi-year data and analytics transformation. This role is responsible for moving AI from early-stage or fragmented efforts into disciplined, production-scale adoption across a complex, regulated enterprise. This is a 0-to-1 build with strong executive sponsorship and long-term investment. The successful leader will define the enterprise AI operating model, establish governance and responsible AI practices, and ensure AI initiatives deliver measurable business outcomes across front-office, risk, and corporate functions. The role initially focuses on the U.S. organization, with the opportunity to expand globally as capabilities mature Role is based out of our Charlotte office. Role Objectives Define and execute enterprise AI strategy aligned with business priorities, regulatory expectations, and risk frameworks Establish an AI operating model that moves initiatives from experimentation into production environments Drive AI commercialization and adoption across financial services business units, with clear ROI and value realization Partner closely with technology, data, risk, compliance, and front-office leaders to embed AI into real workflows Build and scale an enterprise AI organization, including leadership, governance, and enablement capabilities Set standards for AI governance, model risk management, and responsible AI Own prioritization decisions, balancing innovation with risk management and operational discipline Create executive-level narratives and reporting that communicate progress, outcomes, and tradeoffs Build credibility through early wins and consistent delivery, establishing trust across senior stakeholders Serve as a senior AI thought partner to executive leadership Qualifications and Skills Senior leadership experience leading enterprise AI, advanced analytics, or digital transformation initiatives within financial services or similarly regulated industries Demonstrated success taking AI initiatives from concept into production-scale environments Experience operating in regulated financial environments, including governance, risk, and compliance considerations Strong technical fluency across AI, machine learning, and modern analytics (hands-on coding not required) Proven ability to build organizational buy-in, influence senior stakeholders, and drive change through delivery Track record of building and scaling teams and operating models Executive presence, strong communication skills, and high emotional intelligence SMBC’s employees participate in a Hybrid workforce model that provides employees with an opportunity to work from home, as well as, from an SMBC office. SMBC requires that employees live within a reasonable commuting distance of their office location. Prospective candidates will learn more about their specific hybrid work schedule during their interview process. Hybrid work may not be permitted for certain roles, including, for example, certain FINRA-registered roles for which in-office attendance for the entire workweek is required. SMBC provides reasonable accommodations during candidacy for applicants with disabilities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.

Keywords: SMBC Group, Burlington , Head of Artificial Intelligence and Insights, IT / Software / Systems , Charlotte, North Carolina