Head of IT Strategy & AI Enablement

The SVP, Head of IT Strategy & AI Enablement is a direct report to the Chief Information Officer and plays a critical role in shaping an AI-enabled IT organization. This executive is responsible for defining and driving the AI strategy for IT, modernizing how technology capabilities are designed and delivered, and ensuring IT operates as a scalable, intelligent, and data-driven platform for the enterprise.

The role oversees Enterprise Architecture, Application Development Center of Excellence, AI for IT, and Data Strategy & Governance, with a strong focus on embedding AI, automation, and modern engineering practices into IT's operating model. This leader partners closely with IT business unit leads to accelerate innovation, improve productivity, and enable faster delivery of business outcomes through AI-driven capabilities.

What you'll be doing

Strategic Leadership & AI Enablement

• Define and execute the AI strategy for IT, including a clear roadmap for adopting AI, automation, and intelligent platforms across IT functions.
• Partner with the CIO to translate enterprise AI ambitions into practical, scalable IT capabilities that improve speed, quality, and efficiency of technology delivery.
• Position IT as a leader in applying AI to software engineering, infrastructure, operations, security, and service management.

AI for IT

• Establish and lead the AI for IT function, identifying high-impact use cases such as intelligent development, automated testing, AIOps, and AI-assisted service delivery.
• Drive experimentation, adoption, and scaling of AI tools and platforms within IT, balancing innovation with risk management and responsible AI practices,
• Measure and communicate the value of AI adoption in IT through productivity gains, cycle-time reduction, quality improvements, and cost optimization.
• Build training programs to drive AI education and change management within the IT organization.

Enterprise Architecture

• Ensure policies and standards are well defined and enforced. Manage the Policy & Standards Review Board.
• Ensure standard technology is in place with reviews and gates to ensure delivery of technology solutions in line with standards and technology patterns.
• Own and evolve the enterprise architecture strategy to support AI, cloud-native platforms, composable architectures, and data-centric design.
• Define and govern technology standards, patterns, and guardrails that enable rapid innovation while ensuring scalability, security, and interoperability.
• Lead architecture review and decision forums to ensure technology investments align with enterprise strategy and AI-enabled future-state architecture.

Application Development Center of Excellence

• Lead the Application Development CoE to modernize engineering practices, tools, and platforms.
• Embed AI-enabled development capabilities (e.g., code generation, testing automation, developer copilots) into standard delivery workflows.
• Establish best practices for product-centric delivery, DevSecOps, platform engineering, and reusable services.

Data Strategy & Governance

• Define and oversee IT's enterprise data strategy and governance, ensuring data is trusted, accessible, and ready for AI and advanced analytics.
• Partner with business and data leaders to strengthen data foundations, metadata management, data quality, and responsible data usage.
• Ensure governance models enable innovation while meeting regulatory, security, and ethical standards.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Communicate transformation objectives and progress to executive IT leadership.
• Translate complex IT strategies into clear, compelling narratives for stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and responsible innovation across the IT organization., This position may be subject to Lincoln's Political Contribution Policy. An offer of employment may be contingent upon disclosing to Lincoln the details of certain political contributions. Lincoln may decline to extend an offer or terminate employment for this role if it determines political contributions made could have an adverse impact on Lincoln's current or future business interests, misrepresentations were made, or for failure to fully disclose applicable political contributions and or fundraising activities.

Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted through our web site or to personal e-mail accounts of employees of Lincoln Financial are considered property of Lincoln Financial and are not subject to payment of agency fees.

Lincoln Financial ("Lincoln" or "the Company") is an Equal Opportunity employer and, as such, is committed in policy and practice to recruit, hire, compensate, train and promote, in all job classifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. Opportunities throughout Lincoln are available to employees and applicants are evaluated on the basis of job qualifications. If you are a person with a disability that impedes your ability to express your interest for a position through our online application process, or require TTY/TDD assistance, contact us by calling 260-455-2558.

This Employer Participates in E-Verify. See the E-Verify notices.

Este Empleador Participa en E-Verify. Ver el E-Verify avisos. Lincoln is an Equal Opportunity employer and, as such, is committed in policy and practice to recruit, hire, compensate, train and promote, in all job classifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veterans status, or genetic information. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of job qualifications. On-Site Communication Quality Improvement Leadership Automation Marketing IT Governance Governance Risk Management Cloud-Native Computing Software Engineering Test Automation Scalability Innovation Influencing Skills Master Of Business Administration (MBA) Investments Ethical Standards And Conduct Wholesaling Technology Solutions Executive Presence Artificial Intelligence Change Management Data Quality Employee Assistance Programs Enterprise Architecture Code Generation Financial Management Balancing (Ledger/Billing) Metadata Management Portfolio Management Business Technologies Data Strategy Annuities Social Security Virtual Training Application Development Operations Security DevSecOps Product Family Engineering Fundraising Tax Accounting Health And Wellness Coaching AIOps (Artificial Intelligence For IT Operations) Employment Applications Gmail Continuous Development Responsible AI Artificial Intelligence Strategy

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, or related field; MBA or Master's preferred.
• Experience:

• 12+ years in IT leadership roles, with proven experience in transformation initiatives.
• Strong background in IT governance, financial management, and organizational design.
• Experience driving modernization and efficiency programs in large, complex environments.

• Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills.
• Expertise in governance frameworks, financial transparency, portfolio management, enterprise architecture and AI proficiency.
• High executive presence and ability to influence across business and technology domains.
• Exceptional communication and change management skills.

• Clearly defined career tracks and job levels, along with associated behaviors for each of Lincoln's core values and leadership attributes
• Leadership development and virtual training opportunities
• PTO/parental leave
• Competitive 401K and employee benefits
• Free financial counseling, health coaching and employee assistance program
• Tuition assistance program
• Work arrangements that work for you
• Effective productivity/technology tools and training

At Lincoln Financial, we love what we do. We make meaningful contributions each and every day to empower our customers to take charge of their lives. Working alongside dedicated and talented colleagues, we build fulfilling careers and stronger communities through a company that values our unique perspectives, insights and contributions and invests in programs that empower each of us to take charge of our own future., Lincoln Financial (NYSE: LNC) helps people to confidently plan for their version of a successful future. We focus on identifying a clear path to financial security, with products including annuities, life insurance, group protection, and retirement plan services. With our 120-year track record of expertise and integrity, millions of customers trust our solutions and service to help put their goals in reach. Lincoln Financial Distributors, a broker-dealer, is the wholesale distribution organization of Lincoln Financial. Lincoln Financial is the marketing name for Lincoln Financial Corporation and its affiliates including The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY. Lincoln Financial affiliates, their distributors, and their respective employees, representatives and/or insurance agents do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Lincoln is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Follow us on Facebook , X , LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube . For the latest company news, visit our newsroom . Be Aware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities If you are interested in a career at Lincoln, we encourage you to review our current openings and apply on our website. Lincoln values the privacy and security of every applicant and urges all applicants to diligently protect their sensitive personal information from scams targeting job seekers. These scams can take many forms including fake employment applications, bogus interviews and falsified offer letters.