Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer - Zinia

Zinia is the new checkout lending platform of the Santander Group. Zinia makes shopping simple, offering the possibility of splitting payments into interest-free installments in a fast and transparent way, powering merchants across Europe using technology from Openbank and Santander Consumer Finance. 

This is an exciting opportunity to make your contribution over a growing market within the business areas of lending, cobranded credit cards and buy-now-pay-later with a solid expansion across different countries with global leading merchants. 

Zinia leverages the technological resources and expertise of Openbank, the digital-native bank of the Santander Group, which is currently rolling out its international expansion plans. Through a simple and flexible banking model, Openbank offers customers the possibility to manage their finances on the website or app.

Mission

The Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (CAIO) is a key strategic role within Zinia, responsible for establishing and leading our AI vision and strategy. This role will allow Zinia to innovate and excel in the competitive digital banking industry, achieving business growth and enhancing customer experience through intelligent solutions as well as providing additional efficiencies and productivity to current processes. The CAIO will directly report to the CEO of Zinia, with a team composed of 3 skilled AI members.

The AI department will have close dependencies with the following teams:

1. IT & Software Development: Collaboration is essential to integrate AI systems into the Zinia platform.

2. Marketing & Sales: To leverage AI for enhancing customer experience and personalizing offers.

3. Compliance & Risk Management: To ensure AI applications align with local and international regulations.

4. Operations & Customer Service: To streamline processes and provide superior service through AI.

5. Finance & Procurement: For budgeting and resource allocation for AI projects.

Responsibilitites:

1. Define and implement a strategic AI vision that aligns with Zinia’s overall business objectives: to establish and implement an AI strategic vision that is in alignment with Zinia’s business objectives. This involves analyzing the current state of the bank’s AI landscape, understanding future trajectories and potential areas of improvement, and elaborating an strategic vision with the company.

2. Develop and manage AI initiatives across various banking operations and customer touchpoints to improve user experience and operational efficiency: the development and oversight of AI initiatives within various aspects of banking operations and customer interactions. This not only optimizes performance and efficiency but also significantly enhance user experiences. It involves leveraging AI technologies to automate routine operations, improve fraud detection, deliver personalized customer experiences, and much more.

3. Collaborate with other business and technology leaders to seamlessly integrate AI solutions and platforms across departments: to ensure seamless integration of AI solutions and platforms across different departments. This role underscores the importance of cross-functional collaboration and communication, which are critical for ensuring the organization-wide adoption and successful implementation of AI technologies.

4. Lead AI research to stay ahead of the market trends and maintain competitive advantage: the forefront of AI research, helping Zinia stay ahead of market trends and maintain a competitive advantage. By continuously monitoring the AI landscape, I aid in identifying emerging technologies, potential partnerships, and market opportunities that can be leveraged to drive innovation and growth.

5. Provide thought leadership and collaborate with external partners to broaden Zinia’s AI capabilities: work with external partners to continue expanding the bank’s AI capabilities. This involves partnering with AI technology providers, participating on industry forums, publishing research, and more to influence the wider AI discourse and bring cutting-edge technology and knowledge into our organization.

6. Drive a data-driven culture and decision-making processes across the organization: drive a data-driven culture throughout Zinia. Enabling and promoting the use of data in decision-making processes across all departments, from finance to marketing, helping improve efficiency, accuracy, and predictability in our operations.

7. Ensure ongoing compliance with AI ethics, regulations, and governance protocols: function involves staying updated on local and international laws and regulations concerning AI and data usage, educating the team on these rules, and making sure all AI systems and solutions are compliant.

8. Manage AI budgeting and resource allocation processes: manage the AI budget and resource allocation, ensuring that all initiatives have the necessary financial and human resources for successful completion.

9. Training and Awareness: Promote AI literacy across the organization. Develop and deliver training programs for employees to understand and leverage AI tools and solutions.

10. Performance Metrics: Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the AI team and monitor the performance against these metrics. Regularly review and report on AI performance to the executive leadership team and board of directors.

To be successful in the role you must have:

• +12 years of professional experience in a similar role.
• University Degree (Equivalent to a Bachelor degree) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science or a related field.
• High level of English. Other languages would be a plus (German, Italian, French).
• Demonstrable competency in strategic planning and business development.
• Outstanding organizational and leadership abilities.
• Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving.

What do we offer?

- Joining a dynamic and agile company undergoing international expansion.

- Working in start-up mode with the support of the Santander Group.

- Competitive remuneration and attractive benefits package.

- Possibility of growth within the company and the Group.

- Collaborating on international projects in different countries.

- Excellent work environment, social clubs and frequent events.

Would you like to grow with us? Join our team!

Openbank / ODS  is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered as equal without paying attention to gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, age, political orientation, union membership nor disability status.

We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We value your passion to discover, invent, simplify, and build.

The personal data you provide as well as any data generated during the selection process are confidential and will be processed by Open Bank, S.A./ Open Digital Services, S.L. with registered office at Plaza de Santa Bárbara 2, 28004 (Madrid), for the sole purpose of managing your participation in the selection processes and, where appropriate, to formalise your recruitment.  

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