Company Profile:

Founded on March 1, 2001, the Community Bank of Santa Maria has 2 branch offices in Santa Maria and is a full-service retail bank, offering traditional banking products to members of our community. We take pride in our staff and provide a working environment that promotes professional and personal growth, while allowing our leadership team to engage in hand-on management of his/her departments and not just policy implementation specialists. As such, this approach has resulted in decades long longevity within the bank of our employees.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Digital/AI Strategist will bridge the gap between the bank’s digital and AI capabilities and its financial business goals. The ideal candidate will be responsible for shaping and executing the bank’s roadmap for AI adoption, workflow modernization, and digital transformation, while identifying high-value opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance the customer and employee experiences. In optimizing the bank’s software ecosystem, this person will serve as the bank’s primary expert on practical AI use cases, emerging digital capabilities, and process improvement opportunities, while ensuring that technology investments align with business goals, regulatory expectations, and operational realities.

Duties / Responsibilities:

Conduct comprehensive analyses to identify how AI can improve the bank’s business processes and enhance the customer experience;

Develop digital strategies aligned with overarching business goals, such as improving customer retention or increasing operational efficiency;

Assess current technological infrastructures and establish step-by-step product road maps to guide investments;

Allocate resources, manage technology budgets, and collaborate with vendors to acquire and deploy new platforms;

Survey and redesign business processes to remove friction, automate routine tasks, and lower operating costs;

Use performance data and KPIs to monitor the success of implemented changes and identify areas requiring further improvement;

Map the customer journey and leverage technology (e.g., self-service portals, CRM tools) to improve end-user touchpoints;

Provide expert guidance in designing and overseeing the implementation of AI strategies that incorporate ethical considerations and maximize ROI;

Strategically plan and manage AI initiatives to align with business goals and drive innovation;

Stay ahead of AI trends and maintain a deep understanding of advancements in the field;

Evaluate and measure the effectiveness of AI technologies and adjust strategies, as needed;

Lead the adoption and integration of AI technologies across business units, to solve complex challenges and create value;

Assess new AI technologies and their potential impact on the bank’s business; recommend investments and technology adoptions;

Facilitate collaboration between departments to ensure that AI projects are effectively implemented and integrated;

Equip staff to adopt new digital tools through structured training programs and support systems.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related discipline;

At least 7 years of proven experience with digital strategy, process improvement, AI/Automation, or related roles;

Extensive experience in strategy development, particularly in AI or digital transformation;

Familiarity with enterprise software, automation tools, and digital platforms;

Strong leadership skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts to a non-technical audience;

Strategic thinker with a proven track record of executing successful technology integration projects

Experience in financial services, fintech, or other regulated industries, strongly preferred;

Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional digital or AI initiatives;

Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills;

Exemplary time management, organizational, problem-solving, attention to detail, multi-tasking, critical thinking and follow-through skills;

Ability to work effectively alone and within a collaborate team environment.

Compensation:

$150K - $180K DOE, for this full-time, exempt position.

Benefits:

Paid annual vacation and sick time;

Medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance paid 100% for the employee; dependent coverage at employee’s cost available through employee’s payroll deductions;

Simple IRA Plan with annual company match;

11 paid public holidays annually;

Restricted stock grant allotment.

Working Hours:

8:15AM – 5:15PM Monday – Friday

Location:

Santa Maria, CA – onsite position

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Digital / AI Strategist - Community Bank of Santa Maria