Director, Application Development

United Community Banks Inc.; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

United Community Banks Inc. seeks a Director of Application Development to lead internal application development, code repository governance, API platform oversight, and delivery risk management.

The role reports to the CIO and drives secure, scalable, business-aligned software delivery across bank departments. You will partner with Information Security to strengthen code reviews, maintain API inventory, and govern internal AI-enabled solutions while managing technical debt and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in application development and leadership.
• Experience governing enterprise code repositories (GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps).
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development and governance considerations.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal application development and set standards, priorities, and delivery practices that support secure, scalable, and business-aligned solutions.
• Centralize administration of code repositories and enforce consistent controls across multiple teams.
• Partner with Information Security to conduct code reviews and strengthen development standards.
• Maintain API inventory and oversee API platforms, standards, and lifecycle practices.
• Oversee design, development, support, and maintenance of internal applications and AI-enabled solutions.

Skills

SDLC practices

Code reviews

Open-source risk

APIs & integration platforms

AI-enabled development

Leadership & coaching

Regulatory/compliance knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

GitHub

GitLab

Azure DevOps

Job description

Overview

The Director of Application Development leads the bank’s internal application development function, code repository governance, API platform oversight, and software delivery risk management. Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, this role sets consistent development standards across all bank departments; partners with Information Security to strengthen code review and identify coding risks; maintains API inventory and platform governance; and oversees internal application and AI-enabled solution development to ensure secure, scalable, and business-aligned delivery.

What You’ll Do

• Application Development Leadership and StrategyLead internal application development and establish standards, priorities, and delivery practices that support secure, scalable, and business-aligned solutions.
• Enterprise Repository Governance and AdministrationCentralize administration of GitHub or any successor repository tool and enforce consistent repository standards, access controls, branching, approvals, and retention practices across all development groups.
• Code Review and Development Risk ManagementPartner with Information Security and other stakeholders to conduct code reviews, strengthen development standards, and identify risks related to coding practices, open-source usage, external calls, secrets, and third-party dependencies.
• API Inventory and Platform OversightMaintain a current inventory of APIs and oversee supporting API platforms, standards, documentation, and lifecycle practices to improve visibility, consistency, and reliability across integrations.
• Internal Application and AI Solution DeliveryOversee the design, development, support, and maintenance of required internal applications and approved AI-enabled solutions. Ensure delivery priorities, support practices, and lifecycle management meet business needs while controlling technical debt and operational risk.
• Risk, Security, Regulatory, and AI Governance AlignmentWork with Information Security, Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance, Internal Audit, and technology partners to ensure development, APIs, repositories, and AI solutions align with policy, security standards, regulatory expectations, and responsible use requirements.
• People Leadership and Continuous ImprovementLead, coach, and develop the team while improving delivery discipline
• Compliance Training: Participate in all required compliance training, including Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering training, as well as internal and external training programs, online training, meetings, and seminars/conferences, etc.
• Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Requirements For Success

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field or equivalent education experience can be substituted.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in application development, software engineering, or development platform leadership, including team leadership and delivery governance
• Required Skills:
  • Strong knowledge of software development lifecycle practices, source code management, testing, release management, and development operations.
  • Experience governing enterprise code repositories such as GitHub, GitLab, or Azure DevOps and implementing consistent controls across multiple teams.
  • Experience with secure code review, open-source and third-party dependency risk, APIs and integration platforms, and development in regulated environments.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development, AI-enabled applications, and governance considerations related to model usage, external services, and responsible deployment.
• Supervisory Responsibility
  • This position manages employees and is responsible for the coaching, development, and performance management of those employees.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be able to pass a criminal background & credit check

• This is a full-time, non-remote position that requires schedule flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

FLSA Status:Exempt

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Pay Range

USD $0.00 - USD $0.00 /Yr.