Our Story & Purpose:

We’re Vancity, a member-owned credit union built on the principles of inclusion and social justice. Since 1946, our relentless commitment to these values has helped us challenge the status quo and break down barriers. We’ve made bold commitments to become net-zero by 2040 across all mortgages and loans, and we’re actively pursuing strategies in Indigenous banking and financial resilience for our members.

As the largest private sector Living Wage Employer in Canada, we’re proud to be consistently recognized as one of the country’s Top Employers. If you’re ready to join our team of 2,700 diverse individuals, access competitive rewards and benefits, and be part of a greater movement – apply today!

Your Role in Supporting Our Members:

As the Director, Artificial Intelligence, you will serve as the enterprise leader responsible for driving the strategic development, technical deployment, and scaling of AI capabilities across the organization. Reporting to the VP, AI Centre Of Excellence, you will provide thought leadership, set direction, and oversee the execution of AI initiatives that advance our business goals, deliver differentiated value to members, and embed responsible innovation throughout our operations.

You are a senior leader with deep technical expertise in machine learning, data science, and enterprise AI platforms, as well as a strong ability to translate complex technologies into practical business applications. You will partner with cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders to ensure AI solutions are ethical, scalable, and aligned with organizational priorities.

This is a permanent, full-time role that will enjoy hybrid/remote working arrangements. Our head office is based in Vancouver, but we are open to candidates in Vancouver and Toronto.

How You’ll Make an Impact:

Strategic Leadership

• Implement Vancity’s AI vision, roadmap, and priorities across the enterprise, working closely and cooperatively with our Innovation and Strategy teams, and Data and Governance teams,
• Act as a strategic advisor on emerging AI trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Champion responsible AI practices and governance to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability.
• Monitor emerging legal, regulatory and industry standards in AI and provides strategic guidance to the organization.

Centre of Excellence Enablement

• Build and lead a high-performing cross-functional AI CoE, creating a hub of expertise, experimentation, and best practices.
• Establish scalable processes and platforms to develop, deploy, and monitor AI/ML models.
• Design and best practices of effective AI risk controls, metrics, compliance, performing risk management activities, and where required, support data risk management oversight including maintaining appropriate documentation (procedures, risk tiering methodology, escalation thresholds and reporting).
• Assist in the development and implementation of an AI compliance program that defines, develops, maintains, and implements policies and procedures to ensure ethical AI practices, including the day-to-day management of the AI Governance program.
• Define and implement standards, tools, and frameworks that enable safe and effective use of AI.
• Develop or contribute to ad-hoc reporting to the Board, risk committees, and senior leadership, including the collection of metrics and reports.
• Drive the development and implementation of communication strategies for new processes and procedures, focusing on training and awareness programs related to AI compliance, risk management, and ethical practices.
• Act as a thought leader in AI compliance, representing the organization in various industry forums and panels.

Innovation & Delivery

• Partner with business units, Innovation team and Data and Governance teams, to identify and deliver high-impact AI use cases — from personalized member experiences to fraud prevention and operational efficiency.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver AI solutions that drive measurable outcomes and align with Vancity’s purpose.
• Support the research, development and deployment of AI technologies, staying abreast of emerging AI trends and technologies.
• Oversee the AI project portfolio to ensure delivery excellence and strategic alignment.

Culture & Change Leadership

• Promote AI literacy and build a culture of innovation and inclusion across the organization.
• Lead change management initiatives to ensure adoption and responsible use of AI.
• Mentor and grow AI talent and foster a thriving AI community of practice.

External Engagement

• Represent Vancity in industry and academic forums on ethical AI, data innovation, and financial inclusion.
• Build partnerships with universities, startups, and vendors to stay ahead of the curve and scale AI capabilities responsibly.

What You’ll Bring to the Team:

• 10+ years in data science, machine learning, and/or AI roles, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership capacity.
• Strong Technical delivery experience background (is a must)
• Advanced degree in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Math); an MBA or executive education is a strong asset.
• Experience building and leading AI teams or CoEs in complex, regulated environments.
• Deep Technical knowledge of AI technologies, frameworks, ML/AI model developments and ML/AI risk management best practices, relevant global laws, regulations, and ethical and risk management standards.
• Proven ability to deliver AI-enabled business value through collaboration and innovation.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and change management skills.

You’ll Thrive Here If You Are:

• Purpose-driven – Committed to using technology for positive social impact
• Systems thinker – Able to connect complex ideas with a bias for action and execution
• Relationship builder – Skilled at bridging business and technology
• Innovative – Passionate about innovation, equity, and creating a better future

What You’ll Earn:

This role offers a salary range of $150,000 to $220,000 per annum. The base pay offered may vary depending on factors such as relevant qualifications, skills, previous experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards package, employees may also be eligible for our annual incentive program, subject to program eligibility requirements.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

A career at Vancity is more than just a job, you’re joining a tradition of change-makers who are creating lasting change for our communities. Beyond base pay, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package to ensure our employees are empowered to thrive:

• Living Wage Employer: We’re the largest private-sector Living Wage Employer in Canada and consistently ranked among Canada’s Top Employers
• Customizable Benefits: Permanent employees receive flexible benefit packages that can be tailored annually to meet evolving needs
• Generous Vacation: New employees start with 3–4 weeks of vacation per year, with additional days earned over time
• Extra Stat Holidays: In addition to BC’s 11 statutory holidays, we offer 2 extra days, plus care days for personal or family illness
• Immediate Health Coverage: Health and dental benefits begin on your hire date, with three levels of coverage to choose from
• Defined Benefit Pension: Our retirement plan provides a guaranteed income for life, recognizing that retirement looks different for everyone

Vancity Talent Programs:

Vancity supports an inclusive hiring process for candidates who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, or Trans. With special permission from the BC Human Rights Commissioner, this initiative provides access to career development opportunities, prioritized job screening, and feedback. Any information you choose to share will be stored securely and used only for recruitment and career development connected to this initiative, in line with the BC Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). For details, please see our dedicated Talent Programs job posting.

At Vancity we’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace to help our people and communities thrive and prosper. Diversity in our workforce is integral so that we can truly represent, understand and respond to our community needs and deliver on our member experience.

We are also committed to an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates. If you require any accommodations or support at any stage of the recruitment process (including the application stage), we encourage you to let us know by contacting our Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@vancity.com. We’re here to work with you to ensure your needs are met promptly and effectively. All requests will be handled with the utmost respect and confidentiality, so you can participate fully in the process.

Education

Preferred

• Masters or better in Computer Science