Executive Director, AI Architect and Strategist

About this role:

Wells Fargo is seeking an Executive Director, AI Architect and Strategist to help define the future of agentic AI across Commercial Banking and Corporate & Investment Banking. These are individual contributor roles focused on shaping strategy, architecture, standards, frameworks, and working prototypes that guide the development of AI-powered products and agentic systems across the organization.

Successful candidates will combine deep technical expertise with strategic thinking, helping establish the point of view, reference architectures, governance models, and implementation patterns that enable the responsible adoption of agentic AI in a highly regulated environment.

In this role, you will:

• Define and evolve architectural frameworks, reference patterns, and standards for AI and agentic systems

• Develop and communicate thought leadership, position papers, and strategic recommendations that shape enterprise AI direction

• Build working prototypes and reference implementations to validate emerging technologies, patterns, and architectural approaches

• Evaluate industry trends, technologies, and market developments to identify durable capabilities and strategic opportunities

• Partner with business, product, data, technology, risk, compliance, and innovation teams to guide AI solution design and implementation

• Establish best practices for scalability, reliability, governance, observability, security, and operational excellence

• Advise stakeholders on architecture decisions, platform strategy, build-versus-buy considerations, and technology roadmaps

• Translate complex technical concepts into clear recommendations for senior business and technology leaders

• Influence large-scale initiatives through expertise and thought leadership rather than formal authority

• Help ensure AI capabilities are implemented responsibly, effectively, and in alignment

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of Artificial Intelligence Solutions experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education

Desired Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in AI, software architecture, machine learning, data platforms, or related technology disciplines

• Recognized expertise in one or more areas including agentic AI, AI architecture, AI governance, retrieval and knowledge systems, AI platforms, data architecture, or capital markets technology

• Demonstrated ability to define technical strategy and influence enterprise-level architecture decisions

• Strong hands-on technical capabilities, including building prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and reference implementations

• Experience developing frameworks, standards, patterns, or architectural guidance that others adopt and scale

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate complex concepts to both technical and executive audiences

• Experience operating in highly regulated environments is preferred

• Ability to influence across diverse stakeholder groups without direct management authority

Job Expectations:

• This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship

• Specific compliance policies may apply regarding outside activities or personal investing; affected employees will be expected to provide information to the Wells Fargo Personal Account Dealing Team and abide by applicable policy requirements if hired. Information will be shared about expectations during the recruitment process

• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time

This position offers a hybrid work schedule from one of the following locations:

• 2700 S Price Road A Building – Chandler, Arizona 85286

• 333 Market Street – San Francisco, California 94105

• 400 Hamilton Avenue – Palo Alto, California 94301

• 1800 Century Park E – Los Angeles, California 90067

• 333 S Grand Avenue – Los Angeles, California 90071

• 1700 K Street NW Ste 103 – Washington, DC 20006

• 1699 Coral Way – Miami, Florida 33145

• 10 S Wacker Drive – Chicago, Illinois 60606

• 125 High Street – Boston, Massachusetts

• 600 S 4th Street – Minneapolis, Minnesota

• 114 N Beaumont Street Bldg D – St. Louis, Missouri 63103

• 550 S Tryon Street – Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

• 100 N 18th Street – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

• 401 Las Colinas Blvd W – Irving, Texas 75039

• 1000 Louisiana Street – Houston, Texas 77002

• 1021 E Cary Street – Richmond, Virginia 23219

• 999 3rd Avenue – Seattle, Washington 98104

#commercialbanking

Pay Range

Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.

$185,000.00 - $300,000.00

Benefits

Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.

• Health benefits
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid time off
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
• Parental leave
• Critical caregiving leave
• Discounts and savings
• Commuter benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Scholarships for dependent children
• Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:

18 Aug 2026

* Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

We Value Equal Opportunity

Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.

Applicants with Disabilities

To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.

Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:

a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.

b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.

#DNP-IND