Vice President, AI Innovation - CIB US

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced AI ecosystem, partnerships, innovation and transformation professional with a strong track record of identifying, developing, and implementing AI-driven solutions in complex business environments, ideally within financial services.

The ideal candidate combines deep knowledge of the AI technology landscape, strong innovation ecosystem connections, and the ability to translate emerging capabilities into practical business applications.

This role will act as a key bridge between the US CIB organization, the global AI Transformation function, and the broader AI and financial services innovation ecosystem in New York.

The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with a hands-on approach to identifying opportunities, designing AI-enabled solutions, and driving initiatives from concept to implementation, working closely with business stakeholders, technology teams, startups / scaleups and global AI specialists.

Key Responsibilities

1. Local AI Ecosystem Engagement & Innovation

• Develop and maintain relationships with the New York AI and financial services innovation ecosystem, including fintechs, AI startups, technology companies, academic institutions, and industry networks.
• Identify emerging technologies, innovative solutions, and potential collaboration opportunities relevant to CIB.
• Represent BBVA CIB in selected innovation forums, industry events, and ecosystem engagements.
• Facilitate connections between external innovators and internal business or technology teams to explore potential partnerships and proofs of concept.
• Monitor market developments and competitor activity to identify relevant trends and strategic implications.
• Channel relevant insights and opportunities from the US ecosystem into the global AI Innovation agenda.

2. AI Strategy & Opportunity Identification

• Partner with US CIB business leaders to identify, assess, and prioritize high-impact AI opportunities across business activities and internal processes.
• Translate business challenges into actionable AI use cases, defining objectives, expected value, feasibility, and implementation requirements.
• Contribute to the development and execution of the US CIB AI transformation roadmap, ensuring alignment with global priorities.
• Identify opportunities to leverage existing global AI capabilities, platforms, and solutions within the US organization.
• Support the definition of business cases and success metrics for AI investments.

3. AI Initiative Design & Execution

• Lead and coordinate the end-to-end development of selected AI initiatives, from initial discovery and solution design through experimentation, implementation, and adoption.
• Collaborate with business, technology, data, risk, compliance, and other relevant functions to ensure successful delivery.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams and coordinate local and global stakeholders to accelerate execution.
• Help translate emerging AI capabilities, including Generative AI and agentic AI, into practical applications for CIB.
• Monitor initiative performance, identify implementation barriers, and drive corrective actions to maximize business impact.
• Promote the adoption of scalable, reusable AI solutions rather than isolated experiments.

4. Global–Local Coordination

• Act as a key point of connection between the US CIB organization and the global AI Transformation and Innovation teams.
• Ensure alignment between local business needs and global AI strategy, standards, capabilities, and priorities.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing, reuse of successful solutions, and cross-geography collaboration.
• Contribute US market insights and business requirements to the global AI innovation pipeline.
• Support global initiatives requiring local business engagement, validation, experimentation, or implementation.
• Promote consistent AI governance and responsible AI practices in coordination with the relevant control functions.

Candidate Profile

Professional Experience

• Approximately 10 years of professional experience in financial services, management consulting, digital transformation, technology innovation, or related areas.
• Significant experience within Corporate & Investment Banking, capital markets, transaction banking, or other relevant wholesale banking activities.
• Demonstrated track record of leading complex transformation or innovation initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience identifying, structuring, and implementing technology-enabled business solutions.
• Strong exposure to Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, data-driven transformation, or emerging technologies, with a clear understanding of their business applications.
• Experience engaging with external technology providers, startups, fintechs, or innovation ecosystems is highly desirable.
• Experience operating in international organizations with matrix reporting structures is an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

Strategic and business acumen

• Strong understanding of CIB business models, processes, and value drivers.
• Ability to connect technological capabilities with commercial opportunities, productivity improvements, and business transformation.
• Sound judgment in prioritizing initiatives based on business impact, feasibility, and strategic relevance.

AI and technology fluency

• Solid understanding of AI capabilities, limitations, and emerging trends.
• Ability to engage effectively with technical teams without necessarily being a hands-on AI developer.
• Familiarity with Generative AI, AI agents, enterprise AI architectures, and implementation challenges.
• Awareness of data privacy, model risk, regulatory considerations, and responsible AI requirements in financial services.

Execution and delivery

• Proven ability to move initiatives from strategic concepts to tangible business outcomes.
• Strong program and project leadership skills.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and navigate complex decision-making processes.

Leadership and interpersonal skills

• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Ability to engage credibly with senior executives, business teams, technology specialists, and external partners.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, intellectual curiosity, and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities.
• Comfortable operating with autonomy in a matrix organization.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to bridge local and global perspectives.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is desirable.
• Additional training or certifications in Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, or digital transformation are an advantage.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will contribute to:

• Establishing meaningful relationships with the New York AI innovation ecosystem.
• Building a robust pipeline of high-value AI opportunities within US CIB.
• Delivering AI initiatives that demonstrate measurable business value and sustainable adoption.
• Strengthening collaboration between US CIB and the global AI Transformation organization.
• Accelerating the reuse and scaling of AI solutions across businesses and geographies.
• Positioning US CIB as an active contributor to BBVA’s global AI transformation ambitions.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

With respect to this position in our New York Office, the expected base salary ranges from $150,000 to $190,000. It is not typical for offers to be made at or near the top of the range. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. In addition to salary and a generous employee benefits package, successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus.

*Employment eligibility to work with BBVA in the U.S. is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions