Head of AI Underwriting Products

We’re building a relationship-oriented bank for the modern world. We need talented, passionate professionals who are dedicated to doing what’s right for our clients.

At CIBC, we embrace your strengths and your ambitions, so you are empowered at work. Our team members have what they need to make a meaningful impact and are truly valued for who they are and what they contribute.

To learn more about CIBC, please visit CIBC.com

The Head of AI Underwriting Products is a senior leader responsible for product ownership of designated AI-enabled lending products, helping to lead lending platform transformation initiatives, and the development of a forward-looking lending product strategy over time.

The role is accountable for defining product vision and priorities, driving modernization of lending capabilities and processes, and ensuring alignment across business, technology, operations, risk, and control functions. The position applies strategic thinking, strong product management discipline, and change leadership to deliver improved client outcomes, operational efficiency, platform scalability, and business growth. The role requires substantial communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills to translate business priorities into practical roadmaps and measurable results.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

• Own the vision, roadmap, and business outcomes for assigned lending technology products that incorporate AI and automation to improve speed to decisions and enhance risk-management. 

• Act as senior product owner for designated lending capabilities, ensuring priorities align to business strategy, client needs, risk requirements, and operational realities. 

• Assist in leading the development of product frameworks, strategy, organization structure and governance.   

• Play a key role in the transformation of the lending platform, including modernization of processes, capabilities, workflows, and supporting tools.  

• Align with and influence the global enterprise processes, products, and approaches where appropriate. 

• Assess AI-enabled product and platform changes for impacts to client experience, operational processes, controls, risk, and regulatory obligations. 

• Evaluate and attract talent to assist in the development of lending products, over time leading a team to deliver on business priorities and outcomes.  

• Develop and refine the medium and long-term strategy for the US lending product portfolio, including product evolution, innovation opportunities, and investment priorities. 

• Partner with technology teams to ensure product and platform changes are delivered in line with business priorities and target-state architecture.  

• Collaborate with operations, risk, compliance, legal, finance, and frontline partners to ensure solutions are practical, controlled, and aligned with enterprise objectives. 

• Drive decision-making and trade-off discussions across scope, timing, value, and risk in a complex, matrixed environment. 

• Ensure products and related platform changes operate within applicable policy, regulatory, and risk management frameworks. 

• Stay informed on market trends, competitor developments, client needs, and emerging lending capabilities to inform strategic direction. 

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

• Technology 

• Operations 

• Risk Management 

• Compliance 

• Legal 

• Finance 

• Sales and Distribution 

• Product Management 

• Enterprise Strategy 

• Data and Analytics 

• Frontline business leaders and functional partners 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS  

• University degree in business, finance, commerce, engineering, or a related field. 

• MBA or other advanced degree considered an asset. 

• Typically 10+ years of progressive experience in lending, product management, transformation, strategy, or related financial services leadership roles. 

• Strong knowledge of lending products, underwriting process and priorities, the lending lifecycle, operations, controls, and enabling technologies. 

• Demonstrated experience in product ownership, product roadmap development, and strategic transformation delivery. 

• Cross board collaboration and relationship building experience. 

• Familiarity with emergent AI capabilities and how they are being leveraged at financial institutions. 

• Strategic thinking and the ability to develop a clear product and platform vision linked to business priorities, latest technological advances, and measurable outcomes. 

• Transformation leadership and the ability to lead large, cross-functional initiatives involving process, technology, and operating model change. 

• Strong written and oral communication skills, including preparation of business cases, executive presentations, and roadmap materials. 

• Interpersonal effectiveness, influencing ability, and relationship management across business, technology, operations, and control functions. 

• Client-focused mindset, commercial and financial acumen, risk and control mindset, and strong execution discipline. 

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS/RESPONSIBILITIES  

• As an employee of CIBC, the incumbent must comply with all applicable CIBC and Line of Business policies, standards, guidelines and controls.   

AUTHORITIES/DECISION RIGHTS   

• Recommend product roadmap priorities and changes to lending processes, capabilities, and platform features. 

• Influence investment decisions and strategic priorities related to lending product development and platform transformation. 

• Escalate risks, issues, and interdependencies affecting roadmap delivery or product performance. 

• Make recommendations on business requirements, prioritization, and target-state operating approaches to enhance client outcomes and operational effectiveness. 

CONDUCT & CULTURE RISK  

Our CIBC risk culture is based on employees striving to exceed the expectations of ourselves and our leadership’s identification and mitigation of risks in their daily responsibilities, not just in quarterly or annual monitoring/assessments.  We all are accountable for managing risk. 

As an employee of CIBC the incumbent must conduct themselves (and foster an environment for others) in a manner consistent with our strong risk culture. This includes: 

• Following all aspects of the CIBC Code of Conduct, as well as all applicable CIBC policies, frameworks, guidelines, processes and controls 

• At all times acting in accordance with our Purpose and shared values, to achieve our Bank’s strategic goals 

• Understanding and following the qualitative and quantitative components of our Risk Appetite Statements 

• Completing all annual Corporate Mandatory Training and Testing modules, as well as any additional business-specific modules, as required and employing the learnings in daily activities and undertakings 

• Escalating matters through one of the appropriate channels identified in the CIBC Code of Conduct (i.e., HR, management, Ethics Hotline, Whistleblower, etc.) upon observing activities that may be inconsistent with CIBC’s policies, frameworks, guidelines, processes and controls 

• Speaking up if witnessing behaviors that drive poor or unfair outcomes for clients, team members or other stakeholders 

• Escalating matters that can result in adverse market practices and outcomes, thereby negatively impacting CIBC’s reputation as a leading financial institution.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• This role operates within a normal office environment in Chicago. 

• Travel required:  ​Occasional​ 

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At CIBC, we offer a competitive total rewards package.  This role has an expected salary range of $225,000- $300,000 based on experience, qualifications, and location of the position.  The successful candidate may be eligible to participate in the relevant business unit’s incentive compensation plan, which also may include a discretionary bonus component. CIBC offers a full range of benefits and programs to meet our employee’s needs; including Medical, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability, and Other Insurance Plans, Paid Time Off (including Sick Leave, Parental Leave, and Vacation), Holidays,  and 401(k), in addition to other special perks reserved for our team members.

This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

What CIBC Offers

At CIBC, your goals are a priority. We start with your strengths and ambitions as an employee and strive to create opportunities to tap into your potential. We aspire to give you a career, rather than just a paycheck.

• We work to recognize you in meaningful, personalized ways including a competitive salary, incentive pay, banking benefits, a benefits program*, a vacation offering, wellbeing support, and MomentMakers, our social, points-based recognition program.

• Our spaces and technological toolkit will make it simple to bring together great minds to create innovative solutions that make a difference for our clients.

• We cultivate a culture where you can express your ambition through initiatives like Purpose Day; a paid day off dedicated for you to use to invest in your growth and development.

*Subject to plan and program terms and conditions

What you need to know

• CIBC is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all team members and clients feel like they belong. We seek applicants with a wide range of abilities and we provide an accessible candidate experience. If you need accommodation, please contact [email protected]

• You need to be legally eligible to work at the location(s) specified above and, where applicable, must have a valid work or study permit.

• We may ask you to complete an attribute-based assessment and other skills tests (such as simulation, coding, MS Office). Our goal for the application process is to get to know more about you, all that you have to offer, and give you the opportunity to learn more about us.

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