Product Director - Innovation & AI

Job description

Who are we? At Finastra, we’re a global leader in financial services software, dedicated to expanding access to financial services and shaping what’s next for the industry. Our technology powers mission‑critical solutions across Lending, Payments and Universal Banking, supporting over 7,000 customers, including 80% of the world’s top 50 banks, in more than 110 countries. Disclaimer: Finastra has signed an agreement to sell its Universal Banking business to Pollen Street Capital, with completion expected end 2026 / early 2027, subject to consultation and customary closing conditions. Upon completion, this role is expected to transition to the standalone Universal Banking business, creating opportunities to support its future growth and success. Role summary The Director of Innovation & AI will lead the AI strategy for the Universal Banking portfolio, working closely with Product Managers, banking clients, Sales, GSC, Partner teams and internal technology teams to generate customer and business value. The role is focused on turning emerging AI opportunities into clear product priorities, practical use cases, market-ready propositions and measurable outcomes. Overview This is a senior product leadership role within the CPO organisation, responsible for shaping and driving the AI innovation agenda across Universal Banking, including core banking, lending, payments, digital, and analytics solutions. The role operates across product strategy, customer engagement, sales enablement, partnerships, and delivery execution. It requires an individual who can translate market demand, client challenges, and product roadmaps into a clear and actionable AI strategy that delivers measurable business value. The successful candidate will partner closely with Product Managers and cross-functional teams to identify high-impact opportunities, validate them with customers, prioritise them based on business value, and drive successful adoption. In addition, the role will champion modern AI-enabled product development practices, including the responsible application of AI throughout the software development lifecycle. This includes ensuring that governance, security, regulatory compliance, and customer trust considerations are embedded from the outset and remain central to all AI initiatives. Key responsibilities Define the AI Strategy for the Universal Banking portfolio, aligned to customer needs, product priorities and business objectives to generate revenue or for cost optimization and control. Product leadership skills and need to partner with Product Managers to identify and prioritize AI opportunities to enhance products, create differentiation and deliver customer value. Translate market trends and emerging AI capabilities into actionable product initiatives across the portfolio. Leverage customer insights and competitive intelligence to shape AI strategy, innovation priorities and investment decisions. As Director of AI, the person will need to have skills in Stakeholder Management, Customer Engagement & Market Leadership. This role is required to lead AI strategy across Product, Engineering, Sales, GSC, Partners to drive business outcomes. Engage customers to identify market needs, define AI opportunities and validate use cases. Drive a prioritized AI portfolio from ideation to productization and adoption, working with Product and Engineering to deliver high-value opportunities that improve customer impact, growth and efficiency, while aligning product, engineering, regulatory and commercial stakeholders. Establish scalable frameworks and best practices to accelerate adoption and maximize business value. Ensure AI initiatives are delivered responsibly, with appropriate governance, risk controls and regulatory compliance. Partner with Legal, Compliance, Security and Architecture teams to assess and manage risks across AI use cases. Define and track success measures for AI initiatives, focusing on business value, customer impact, adoption and delivery outcomes. Provide clear visibility to senior stakeholders on portfolio performance, risks, priorities and investment recommendations. Required qualifications Significant experience in product innovation, data science, or technology strategy roles, including substantial experience applying AI/ML solutions within the financial services sector. Strong understanding of banking, financial technology or enterprise software, ideally across core banking, lending, payments, digital banking or analytics. Practical experience shaping AI, data, automation or digital innovation initiatives from concept through delivery and adoption. Proven ability to work with Product Managers, Sales, Solution Consulting, Engineering, Partners and senior stakeholders to define strategy and drive outcomes. Strong customer-facing skills, with experience engaging senior banking stakeholders and translating business needs into product opportunities. Ability to build business cases, prioritise opportunities and connect technology investment to commercial and customer value. Good understanding of responsible AI, data privacy, security, governance and regulatory considerations in financial services. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex topics and influence executive audiences. Additional qualifications and experience Experience with AI-enabled banking use cases, including intelligent automation, AI agents, decision support, predictive insights, document intelligence, fraud, compliance or customer-service workflows. Familiarity with modern AI and GenAI development approaches, including LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation, prompt design, agent orchestration and model governance. Awareness of AI-enabled SDLC tools and practices such as requirements generation, test-plan creation, coding agents, automated code review, gated workflows and audit evidence. Exposure to platforms and tools such as Microsoft Foundry, Azure AI, Azure OpenAI, GitHub Enterprise, GitHub Actions, Claude, CodeRabbit, Microsoft Entra ID, Intune, Purview, Azure Monitor or similar enterprise tooling. Experience working with fintechs, hyperscalers, technology partners, analyst firms or industry bodies. Advanced degree or equivalent experience in business, finance, technology, data science, engineering or a related field. Success measures Clear AI strategy agreed across Product, GTM, Sales, GSC, Engineering and Partner teams. Prioritised AI use-case portfolio linked to customer value, commercial potential and delivery feasibility. Product Managers actively using the AI strategy to shape roadmap decisions and customer propositions. Validated AI pilots moving into product decisions, GTM plans or partner-led execution paths. Stronger client-facing AI narrative supported by sales enablement, demos, use cases and value stories. Responsible AI and governance practices embedded into AI opportunity assessment and delivery planning. Regular executive visibility of progress, risks, decisions required and measurable business outcomes We are proud to offer a range of incentives to our employees worldwide. These benefits are available to everyone, regardless of grade, and reflect the values we stand for: Flexibility: Enjoy unlimited vacation, subject to local regulations and business priorities. Benefit from hybrid working arrangements and inclusive policies such as paid time off for voting, bereavement, and sick leave. Well‑being: Access confidential one‑to‑one support through our Employee Assistance Program, connect with our network of Wellbeing Champions and Gather Groups, and take part in monthly events and initiatives designed to help you thrive—inside and outside of work. Health & Financial Security: Medical, life and disability insurance, retirement plans, lifestyle, and other benefits.* Sustainability: Paid time off for volunteering and donation‑matching opportunities to support causes that matter to you. Inclusion: Get involved in our inclusion communities, such as Count Me In, Culture@Finastra, Proud@Finastra, Disabilities@Finastra, and Women@Finastra—open to everyone who wants to participate and contribute. Career Development: Access online learning and accredited courses through our Skills & Career Navigator tool. Recognition: Take part in our global recognition program, Finastra Celebrates, and share your voice through regular employee surveys that help shape our culture and ways of working. *Specific benefits may vary by location. At Finastra, each individual is unique—bringing their own ideas, perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and experiences. We learn from one another, value what makes us different, and create an environment where everyone feels included, supported, and able to be their authentic selves. Be unique. Be exceptional. Help us make a difference at Finastra.