Director, Mainframe Innovation and AI

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Incentive pay

Banking benefits

Pension plan

Employee share purchase plan

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) is seeking a Director of Mainframe Innovation & AI in Toronto. You will shape strategy for innovation, automation, and AI within mainframe environments, leading a team to deliver complex projects and drive measurable business outcomes.

You will define budgets, collaborate across IT and business partners, and stay current with emerging technologies to keep CIBC at the forefront of mainframe innovation.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of technology leadership in mainframe or large-scale environments.
• Experience leading teams and budgets.
• Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering/IT.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement strategy for mainframe innovation and AI.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of mainframe projects.
• Lead and mentor a team of up to 5 professionals.
• Engage stakeholders and ensure governance compliance.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Team Leadership

Project Delivery

Communication

Mainframe Technologies

AI Concepts

Budget Management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology

Job description

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

What you'll be doing

As the Director, Mainframe Innovation & AI at CIBC, you'll lead the Mainframe Operations team in shaping and executing our strategy for innovation, automation, and artificial intelligence within mainframe environments. Working at the heart of CIBC’s technology operations, you’ll collaborate with cross-functional partners to identify and deliver solutions that enhance operational efficiency, elevate the client experience, and drive business outcomes. You’ll define departmental strategies and budgets, oversee the successful delivery of complex mainframe projects, and ensure all initiatives align with organizational goals and industry standards. Your expertise will help position CIBC as a leader in mainframe innovation, while fostering a culture of high performance and continuous learning within your team of up to 5 professionals. You’ll also evaluate emerging technologies and recommend new platforms to ensure our mainframe operations remain at the forefront of innovation. At CIBC we enable the work environment most optimal for you to thrive in your role. You'll have the flexibility to manage your work activities within a hybrid work arrangement where you'll spend 1-3 days per week on-site, while other days will be remote.

How you'll succeed

• Strategic Leadership – Define and implement the innovation, automation, and AI strategy for mainframe operations, aligning with CIBC’s goals and translating vision into actionable roadmaps and measurable outcomes.
• Team Management – Lead, mentor, and develop a team of up to 5+ professionals, overseeing recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management to build a culture of high performance and growth.
• Project Delivery – Oversee the end-to-end delivery of mainframe innovation, automation, and AI projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and on budget, while monitoring key performance indicators.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Collaborate with internal teams, IT, and external partners to identify requirements, deliver effective mainframe solutions, and communicate project status, risks, and outcomes to senior leadership.
• Governance and Compliance – Ensure all mainframe solutions comply with CIBC’s policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards, developing and enforcing best practices and governance models.
• Technology Evaluation – Stay current with emerging trends in mainframe innovation, automation, AI, and machine learning, and assess new tools, platforms, and vendors to recommend the best solutions for CIBC.

Who you are

• You’re a strategic leader. You bring 8+ years of experience in technology leadership roles, with a proven track record of developing and executing innovative strategies, particularly within mainframe or large-scale enterprise environments.
• You’re a team builder. You have experience managing and developing teams of 10 or more direct reports, fostering a culture of continuous learning and high performance.
• You’re a project driver. You have demonstrated success in delivering complex technology projects—especially those related to mainframe operations—using strong project management and change management skills.
• You’re technically proficient. You hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Architecture, Engineering, Information Technology, or a equivalent field, and have expertise in mainframe platforms, and AI tools.
• You’re an effective communicator. You excel at engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels, translating complex mainframe concepts into clear, actionable information.
• Values matter to you. You bring your real self to work, and you live our values - trust, teamwork, and accountability.

#LI- TA

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*, defined benefit pension plan*, an employee share purchase plan, 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 [e-mail] CIBC is committed to clarity in our hiring process. All roles posted are opportunities we’re actively recruiting for, unless stated otherwise. 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 test (such as simulation, coding, French proficiency). We use artificial intelligence tools during the recruitment process. 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.

Job Location Toronto-81 Bay, 18th Floor Employment Type Regular Weekly Hours 37.5 Skills AI Adoption, AI Concepts, Budget Management, Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, Enterprise Technologies, Information Technology (IT) Systems, Infrastructure Management (IM), IT Automation, Leadership, Long Term Planning, Mainframe Architecture, Mainframe Automation, Mainframe Operations, Mainframe Technologies, Mitigated Risks, People Management, Regulatory Controls, Stakeholder Management

At CIBC, we are in business to help our clients, employees and shareholders achieve what is important to them. Our ability to create value for all CIBC stakeholders is driven by a business culture based on common values: Trust, Teamwork and Accountability. Working with CIBC makes you a part of a work environment committed to our clients, employees and communities - a place where you can excel. Every day, our 48,000 employees help our clients achieve their financial goals, because what matters to our clients, matters to us.