Citigroup, Inc

Head of AI-First Development (Firmwide AI) - Managing Director

Citigroup, Inc • $250K — $500K *
New York, NY 10025In-Person
Finance & Insurance
11 - 15 years of experience
2 months ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience, preferably in high-caliber engineering cultures
  • Proven experience in building and running large-scale developer platforms with significant outcomes
  • Deep expertise in AI-first software development lifecycle and agentic coding tools
  • Influential change agent with success in winning over skeptical engineering teams
  • Strong product management skills relevant to developer platforms
  • Understanding of cyber security and architectural standards in collaboration with CISO and CTO
  • Ability to navigate and influence within a matrixed corporate environment
  • Risk and compliance awareness relevant to AI-assisted development in banking
  • Excellent communicator with diverse stakeholders
  • Experience in financial services or similarly regulated environments

Responsibilities

  • Re-architect the Product Development Lifecycle to prioritize AI integration
  • Define and own reference workflows and ensure adoption across Tech and Product teams
  • Continuously evolve the PDLC in line with advancements in AI tools and practices
  • Manage the agentic product development platform and associated tools
  • Determine build vs. buy vs. partner strategies for AI tooling
  • Establish metrics and feedback loops to monitor engineering productivity
  • Shift company culture towards embracing AI-first development practices

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plans
  • Life, accident, and disability coverage
  • Wellness programs support
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Full Job Description
The Head of AI-First Development is the leader who re-architects how Citi builds products. The mandate is to make AI the default across the firm's entire Product Development Lifecycle - from requirements through code, test, and deployment. This is a rare Managing Director level mandate to lead one of the largest engineering productivity transformations in global financial services.

Why This Role

You will redefine what it means to build products. The platform you build and the workflows you establish will shape how all of Citi's businesses ship products and will be one of the largest, most visible bets the firm makes on the productivity of its own people. Few seats in financial services offer a comparable canvas for an engineering leader.

Key Responsibilities

AI-First PDLC
  • Re-architect Citi's end-to-end Product Development Lifecycle (PDLC) so that AI is the default - across requirements gathering, design, code, test, deployment, and operations.
  • Define and own the firm's reference workflows, standards, and patterns for AI-first product development; partner with the broader Tech and Product organizations to drive consistent adoption.
  • Continuously evolve the PDLC as the underlying AI tooling, models, and developer practices mature.


Agentic Developer-Experience Platform
  • Own the agentic product development platform including agentic requirements tools, testing tools, coding tools, AI-assisted code review, automated testing, and deployment agents.
  • Define the firm's "build vs. buy vs. partner" strategy for developer AI tooling; manage the relationships with the agentic coding vendors and platform providers that matter most.
  • Establish the engineering productivity metrics, telemetry, and feedback loops that Leadership, Governance & Reporting


What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months)
  • A defined, adopted AI-first PDLC reference workflow, with named pilot organizations operating end-to-end against it.
  • A consolidated, supported end to end agentic development platform live for a meaningful adoption, with credible telemetry on usage and productivity.
  • A trusted, transparent engineering productivity scorecard accepted by Tech leadership and the CFO.
  • A visible shift in product development culture toward AI-first as the default.


Qualifications
  • 15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience, including senior roles owning developer experience, developer platforms, or engineering productivity at scale - ideally inside an elite engineering culture (top-tier tech firm, hyperscaler, or major bank with a serious engineering bar).
  • Seasoned DevEx / developer-platform leader - has personally built and run a developer platform serving thousands (ideally tens of thousands) of engineers, with demonstrable productivity outcomes.
  • Deep, current expertise in agentic coding tools and the AI-first SDLC - fluent in the modern landscape (agentic IDEs, code-generation models, AI-assisted review and test, deployment agents) and the operational realities of running them at enterprise scale.
  • Influential change agent - proven ability to win over skeptical users and engineers; leads through credibility and outcomes, not mandate.
  • Strong product instinct - runs the platform as a true product, with clear users, telemetry, prioritization, and outcome accountability.
  • Strong appreciation of Cyber security and Architectural standardization concerns, to work in partnership with the CISO and CTO teams.
  • Cross-functional influencer - proven ability to operate in a matrixed environment across platform, controls, HR, and the broader Tech organization without direct authority over all of them.
  • Risk & Compliance awareness - understands and fully appreciates risks, controls, and regulatory expectations as they apply to AI-assisted development in global banking.
  • Excellent communication - credible with engineers, engineering leaders, business stakeholders, controls partners, and regulators alike.
  • Financial Services fluency preferred; comparable experience in another regulated, large-scale engineering environment will be considered.


Education
  • Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • Advanced technical degree or MBA preferred.


Job Family Group:
Technology

Job Family:
Applications Development

Time Type:
Full time

Primary Location:
New York New York United States

Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:
$250,000.00 - $500,000.00

In addition to salary, Citi's offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

Most Relevant Skills
Please see the requirements listed above.

Other Relevant Skills
For complementary skills, please see above and/or contact the recruiter.

Anticipated Posting Close Date:

About Citigroup, Inc

Citigroup is a financial services holding company that provides financial products and services. The company operates through two segments, Global Consumer Banking (GCB) and Institutional Clients Group (ICG). The GCB segment offers traditional banking services to retail customers through retail banking, commercial banking, Citi-branded cards, and Citi retail services. The ICG segment offers various banking, and financial products and services to corporate, institutional, public sector, and high-net-worth clients. This segment provides wholesale banking products and services, including fixed-income and equity sales and trading, foreign exchange, prime brokerage, derivative services, equity and fixed-income research, corporate lending, investment banking, and advisory services, private banking, cash management, trade finance, and securities services. Citi is committed to sustainability and social responsibility, and the company invests in initiatives that promote economic progress.

Citigroup, Inc Careers

Join the vibrant team at Citigroup, Inc, a leading global bank, and propel your career into the future. Citigroup offers a plethora of job opportunities that span across various fields and expertise, making it an ideal place for ambitious professionals to thrive.

Work You’ll Do

At Citigroup, Inc, you will engage in exciting work that matters. Join our team to help innovate and drive transformation in the banking industry. With Citigroup, you can lead initiatives that redefine how banking works and how financial services can empower people globally.

Innovate and Lead

Citigroup, Inc is at the forefront of financial innovation and leadership. By joining our team, you will work alongside top professionals to develop solutions that enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency. Our commitment to innovation is fundamental, and we encourage our team to push boundaries and think outside the box.

Grow Your Career

Citigroup, Inc is not just a company; it's a place where you can grow both professionally and personally. We offer robust career paths and professional development opportunities that help you reach your potential. With diverse career tracks and the support of leadership, your growth at Citigroup is limitless.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe our strength comes from the diversity of our team. Citigroup, Inc is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute their best work. Through diversity training and a culture that embraces differences, we create a welcoming environment for all employees.

Benefits and Culture

Citigroup, Inc values the well-being of its employees. We offer competitive benefits packages that support the health, finance, and lifestyle of our team members. Our culture is built on collaboration, respect, and a commitment to excellence. We ensure that every team member feels valued and part of our global family.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

Start your professional journey with Citigroup through our internship programs or full-time job opportunities. We are constantly hiring fresh talent and seasoned experts who bring creativity and innovation to our team. Whether you're refining your skills or ready to lead, there's a position waiting for you at Citigroup.

Networking and Professional Development

At Citigroup, Inc, networking and continuous learning are part of our DNA. We provide platforms for employees to connect with industry leaders and peers, enhancing their skills and opening up new career opportunities. Our leadership programs and professional development initiatives ensure that you are always ahead of the curve.

Join Our Team

Explore the numerous positions available at Citigroup, Inc that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players who are ready to make an impact.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest in career opportunities and industry insights at Citigroup, Inc. Subscribe to our job alert emails and read our careers blog to stay ahead in your professional journey.

Explore Citigroup, Inc Jobs

Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at Citigroup, Inc. Tailor your resume, prepare for your interview, and take the next step in your career with us.

SEARCH CITIGROUP JOBS

READ CAREERS BLOG

Citigroup, Inc is where your ambition meets opportunity. Join us and transform your career while making a global impact.
Learn more about Citigroup, Inc
Market Cap
$1.3 billion
Industry
Finance & Insurance
Net Income
$89.6 million
Founded
1812
5 Year Trend
+4.6%
NASDAQ
C
* Ladders Estimates

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Citigroup, Inc

More Finance & Insurance Jobs

Find similar Head of AI-First Development (Firmwide AI) - Managing Director jobs:

NationwideNew York, NY