VP, IT AI Strategy & Programs

Lincoln Financial; Radnor (Delaware County); Hybrid; USD 161,000 - 293,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO/Parental leave

401K / Employee benefits

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Lincoln Financial is seeking a senior AI strategy leader to drive the enterprise AI agenda within IT, partnering with senior IT and AIDA leaders to shape priorities, roadmaps, and investments. You will steer high-visibility AI programs, provide strategic guidance on AI risks and opportunities, and ensure value realization across the organization.

The role requires 12+ years in enterprise/technology strategy with 4+ years in leadership, excellent executive presence, and a track record of

Qualifications

• 12+ years of enterprise/technology strategy experience in regulated environments.
• 4+ years in managerial or leadership roles.
• Strong executive communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the AI strategy for the IT organization aligned with enterprise priorities.
• Partner with IT leadership and AIDA to set AI priorities, roadmaps and investments.
• Translate AI opportunities into actionable programs balancing innovation and risk.
• Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders on AI trends, risks and value realization.
• Lead cross-functional IT AI programs with enterprise visibility and stakeholder alignment.
• Develop and oversee an integrated AI operating framework for IT with measures and reporting.

Skills

Strategic AI

Executive presence

IT strategy

Stakeholder management

Leadership/people management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Alternate Locations: Radnor, PA (Pennsylvania); Charlotte, NC (North Carolina); Fort Wayne, IN (Indiana); Greensboro, NC (North Carolina)

Work Arrangement: Hybrid: Employee will work 3 days a week in a Lincoln office

Relocation assistance: is not available for this opportunity.

Requisition #: 76482

The Role at a Glance

This role will lead and advance the strategic AI agenda for the Information Technology (IT) organization, aligning enterprise priorities, technology capabilities, and business outcomes in partnership with IT senior leadership and the AI & Data Analytics (AIDA) organization. You will lead complex, high-visibility AI programs and cross-functional initiatives exercising broad influence across the IT division to advance adoption, execution, governance, and value realization. You will provide strategic counsel to senior leaders on AI opportunities, risks, and transformation priorities.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Defines and leads the AI strategy for the IT organization, ensuring alignment with enterprise objectives, technology priorities, and business outcomes.
• Partners with the IT Senior Leadership Team and AIDA leadership to establish strategic AI for IT priorities, roadmaps, and investment recommendations.
• Translates AI opportunities into actionable programs, guiding the development of implementation strategies that balance innovation, risk, and operational needs.
• Provides strategic thought leadership and advisory support to senior executives regarding AI trends, capabilities, risks, and business implications.
• Identifies strategic gaps, emerging opportunities, and organizational barriers to AI adoption in IT, developing actionable plans to accelerate progress.
• Directs complex, multi-disciplinary IT AI programs with enterprise visibility, managing dependencies, risks, and stakeholder alignment.
• Leads development of the strategy and coordinates execution of an integrated AI operating framework for IT, including execution oversight, success measures, and reporting mechanisms.
• Influences decision‑making across multiple technology and business functions through collaboration, negotiation, and executive‑level communication.
• Develops executive presentations, strategic updates to IT Senior Leadership Team (SLT), firm‑wide Strategic Management Committee (SMC), Board of Directors materials related to IT’s AI strategy, program progress, and value realization.
• Monitors regulatory, industry, and market developments impacting AI adoption within financial services and incorporating insights into strategic planning.
• Serves as a recognized AI strategy and execution thought leader within IT, fostering innovation and advancing organizational capabilities through knowledge sharing, strategic partnerships, and continuous learning.
• Maintains knowledge on current and emerging developments/trends, assesses the impact, and collaborates with executive/senior management to incorporate new trends and developments in current and future strategies.
• Leads the identification, development, and implementation of strategic process improvements that improve quality across the team, business unit, and/or the organization.
• Leads and enhances organizational initiatives by positively influencing and supporting change management and/or departmental/enterprise initiatives.
• Provides highly specialized expertise and thought leadership to internal/external stakeholders.
• Contributes to business unit/operational and enterprise strategy creation.
• Builds organizational capability and leads/executes approved strategy.

What We’re Looking For

Must Haves:

• 4 Year/Bachelor's degree (or equivalent)
• 12+ Years of experience in enterprise and/or technology strategy and program delivery within a highly regulated industry, including 4+ years of managerial, supervisory, and/or demonstrated leadership experience.
• Exceptional executive presence and influencing skills, with the ability to build alignment, gain commitment, and drive decisions across senior leadership teams and diverse stakeholder groups.

Nice to Haves:

• Knowledge of Generative AI, large language models (LLMs), AI agent frameworks, and enterprise AI platforms.
• Familiarity with AI operating models, AI product delivery frameworks, and AI portfolio management practices.

Application Deadline

Applications for this position will be accepted through 9/30/26 subject to earlier closure due to applicant volume.

What’s it like to work here?

At Lincoln Financial, we love what we do. We make meaningful contributions each and every day to empower our customers to take charge of their lives. Working alongside dedicated and talented colleagues, we build fulfilling careers and stronger communities through a company that values our unique perspectives, insights and contributions and invests in programs that empower each of us to take charge of our own future.

What’s in it for you

• Clearly defined career tracks and job levels, along with associated behaviors for each of Lincoln's core values and leadership attributes
• Leadership development and virtual training opportunities
• PTO/parental leave
• Competitive 401K and employee benefits
• Free financial counseling, health coaching and employee assistance program
• Tuition assistance program
• Work arrangements that work for you
• Effective productivity/technology tools and training

The pay range for this position is $161,000 - $292,800 with anticipated pay for new hires between the minimum and midpoint of the range and could vary above and below the listed range as permitted by applicable law. Pay is based on non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, education, location, licensure requirements, proficiency and qualifications required for the role. The base pay is just one component of Lincoln’s total rewards package for employees. In addition, the role may be eligible for the Annual Incentive Program, which is discretionary and based on the performance of the company, business unit and individual. Other rewards may include long-term incentives, sales incentives and Lincoln’s standard benefits package.

About The Company

Lincoln Financial (NYSE: LNC) helps people to confidently plan for their version of a successful future. We focus on identifying a clear path to financial security, with products including annuities, life insurance, group protection, and retirement plan services.

With our 120-year track record of expertise and integrity, millions of customers trust our solutions and service to help put their goals in reach.

Lincoln Financial Distributors, a broker‑dealer, is the wholesale distribution organization of Lincoln Financial. Lincoln Financial is the marketing name for Lincoln Financial Corporation and its affiliates including The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY. Lincoln Financial affiliates, their distributors, and their respective employees, representatives and/or insurance agents do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice.

Lincoln is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Additional Information

This position may be subject to Lincoln’s Political Contribution Policy. An offer of employment may be contingent upon disclosing to Lincoln the details of certain political contributions. Lincoln may decline to extend an offer or terminate employment for this role if it determines political contributions made could have an adverse impact on Lincoln’s current or future business interests, misrepresentations were made, or for failure to fully disclose applicable political contributions and or fundraising activities.

Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted through our web site or to personal e‑mail accounts of employees of Lincoln Financial are considered property of Lincoln Financial and are not subject to payment of agency fees.

Lincoln Financial (“Lincoln” or “the Company”) is an Equal Opportunity employer and, as such, is committed in policy and practice to recruit, hire, compensate, train and promote, in all job classifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability. Opportunities throughout Lincoln are available to employees and applicants are evaluated on the basis of job qualifications. If you are a person with a disability that impedes your ability to express your interest for a position through our online application process, or require TTY/TDD assistance, contact us by calling [phone].

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