VP, AI & Automation

BlackLine; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 292,000 - 365,000; Full time

Job summary

BlackLine seeks a VP of AI & Automation Programs to lead a strategic internal AI initiative, driving end-to-end transformation across technology, operations and business functions. You will establish a clear strategy, governance, and execution plan, guiding a team of AI program managers, architects, and change agents.

You will partner with Finance, Sales, Marketing, and Legal to identify high-impact use cases, deploy AI agents and automation workflows, and ensure adoption, training, and

Qualifications

• 12+ years leading technology or digital transformation programs at scale.
• Proven AI/automation program delivery with measurable impact.
• Strong executive presence and cross-functional influence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the enterprise AI program from strategy to adoption.
• Define success metrics and report progress to CIO and leadership.
• Build and guide a high-performing AI program team.
• Partner with Finance, Sales, Marketing, HR, Legal and Compliance to identify high-impact use cases.
• Govern AI governance, data governance, and responsible AI practices.
• Oversee AI tools stack and ensure compliant, auditable use.
• Drive AI adoption with enablement programs and change management.

Skills

Strategic AI leadership

Enterprise program management

Stakeholder alignment

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive presence

Education

Advanced degree in related field

Tools

Claude

Gemini

Vertex AI

OpenAI/ChatGPT

Workato/automation tools

Job description

Make Your Mark: BlackLine is seeking a VP of AI & Automation Programs to lead one of our most strategic internal initiatives — transforming how our business operates through AI. This is a senior leadership role responsible for building and running BlackLine's enterprise AI program end-to-end: from strategy and governance to execution and adoption. The role sits at the intersection of technology, operations, and business transformation, and requires a leader who can operate at the executive level while staying close to the ground-level work of building AI agents and driving change.

You’ll Get To:

• Program Leadership Own and drive BlackLine's internal AI transformation program, establishing a clear roadmap aligned to measurable business outcomes including productivity gains, cost efficiency, and revenue enablement.
• Define success metrics and report program progress to the CIO and senior leadership.
• Build and manage a high-performing team of AI program managers, solution architects, and citizen development leads.
• Business Partnership & AI Enablement Partner deeply with Finance, Sales, Marketing, Customer Success, HR, Legal, and other functions to identify high-impact AI use cases and translate them into deployed solutions.
• Lead the design and deployment of AI agents and automation workflows in collaboration with business and IT stakeholders.
• Drive AI adoption across the organization through enablement programs, change management, and user training ensuring tools are used effectively, not just deployed.
• Governance & Responsible AI Work closely with Legal, InfoSec, and Compliance teams to establish AI policies, data governance standards, and a tiered access framework that balances innovation with risk management.
• Maintain oversight of the AI tool stack and enforce responsible use principles including data privacy, model transparency, and audit readiness.
• Serve as a key voice in defining BlackLine's internal AI governance model as the regulatory and enterprise AI landscape evolves.

What You’ll Bring:

• 12+ years of experience in technology leadership, with at least 3-5 years leading enterprise AI, automation, or digital transformation programs at scale.
• Proven track record of building AI/ML or intelligent automation programs that delivered measurable business impact.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence and align senior stakeholders across functions.
• Hands‑on experience working with modern AI platforms including Claude (Anthropic), Gemini and Vertex AI (Google), OpenAI/ChatGPT, and enterprise automation tools such as Workato or equivalent with the ability to evaluate, govern, and orchestrate across a multi‑LLM environment.
• Deep understanding of AI governance, data classification, and responsible AI principles.
• Experience working cross‑functionally with Legal and InfoSec in regulated or compliance‑sensitive environments.
• Excellent program management skills able to operate at strategic and execution levels simultaneously.

Why This Role

This is a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up inside a high‑growth fintech company. You'll have executive sponsorship, a clear mandate, and the ability to shape how AI transforms BlackLine's operations for years to come.

Thrive at BlackLine

Because You Are Joining: A technology-based company with a sense of adventure and a vision for the future. Every door at BlackLine is open. Just bring your brains, your problem-solving skills, and be part of a winning team at the world's most trusted name in Finance Automation! A culture that is kind, open, and accepting. It's a place where people can embrace what makes them unique, and the mix of cultural backgrounds and varying interests cultivates diverse thought and perspectives. A culture where BlackLiner's continued growth and learning is empowered. BlackLine offers a wide variety of professional development seminars and inclusive affinity groups to celebrate and support our diversity.

BlackLine is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, age, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, ancestry, color, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, medical condition, genetic information, or any other protected class or category recognized by applicable equal employment opportunity or other similar laws.

BlackLine recognizes that the ways we work and the workplace itself has shifted. We innovate in a workplace that optimizes a combination of virtual and in-person interactions to maximize collaboration and nurture our culture. Candidates who live within a reasonable commute to one of our offices will work in the office at least 3 days a week.

Salary Range: $292,000.00-$365,000.00

Pay Transparency Statement: Placement within this range depends upon several factors, including the applicant's prior relevant job experience, skill set, and geographic location. In addition to base pay, BlackLine also offers short-term and long-term incentive programs, based on eligibility, along with a robust offering of benefit and wellness plans. We are committed to pay transparency and ensuring candidates have clear information about compensation expectations. For roles that include variable incentive components such as an Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP) or On-Target Earnings (OTE), the compensation structure may follow a split model – for example, a 50/50, 70/30, or 60/40 ratio between base salary and variable incentive.

BlackLine is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation that would better enable your success during the application or interview process, please complete this form. Accommodations: BlackLine is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation that would better enable your success during the application or interview process, please complete this form.

Wondering what it’s like to work at BlackLine? Don’t take our word for it. We’ve been voted Best Place to Work by Inc. Magazine four years in a row. Built in LA ranks us in their top 100 Best Places to Work in LA. Reviewers on Glassdoor say we have “smart and kind people,” “phenomenal culture,” and “good work/life balance.”

At BlackLine, we follow a comprehensive recruitment process which is undertaken by our talent acquisition team. We conduct personal interviews of all potential job seekers and do not follow practice of making employment offers based solely on a candidate’s resume. We do not solicit any payment under the name of security deposit and/or visa/work-permit processing fee, etc., either refundable or non-refundable, at any stage of the recruitment process. Openings at BlackLine are listed on our career webpage in addition to being advertised in job portals. Job seekers are requested to be vigilant of any fraudulent or suspicious activities in protection of their interest. BlackLine shall not be held liable for any loss or damage, direct or indirect, incurred as a result of this act.