TIAA

Managing Director, Head of AI Operational Architecture & Integration

TIAA$232K — $290K *
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in technology leadership roles with experience in distributed systems architecture and platform engineering.
  • Deep expertise in AI/ML systems at scale and operationalizing complex enterprise platforms.
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, and GCP.
  • Strong knowledge of data engineering and real-time architectures.
  • Proven ability to integrate third-party and in-house AI/ML solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Influence the architecture of the AI ecosystem, ensuring stability and scalability.
  • Streamline the AI stack to eliminate redundancy and fragmentation.
  • Design AI systems for operational resilience in production environments.
  • Define SLAs and SLOs to ensure reliability in AI operations.
  • Lead standards for AI model lifecycle management and deployment methodologies.
  • Serve as the primary authority on AI integration and operational architecture across the enterprise.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to align on and adopt AI standards.

Benefits

  • Participate in an incentive program linked to performance.
  • Comprehensive health benefits package.
  • Opportunities for professional development and growth.
  • Work in a collaborative and innovative environment.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a visionary and execution-oriented leader to serve as the Head of AI Integration & Operational Architecture. This role will own the design, integration, and operational architecture of the enterprise's AI ecosystem-ensuring that AI capabilities are stable, scalable, and resilient.

This leader will act as the system-level architect and integrator of AI across the enterprise, partnering closely with AI Engineering, Data, and AI Operations teams to enable AI at scale. The role sits at the intersection of platform architecture, product thinking, and operational reliability, transforming fragmented AI initiatives into a cohesive, enterprise-grade capability.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

1. Enterprise AI Ecosystem Integration
  • Influence and maintain the end-to-end architecture of the AI ecosystem, including models, agents, orchestration layers, data pipelines, and platforms
  • Enforce integration patterns and standards across internal systems and third-party AI tools
  • Rationalize and streamline the AI stack to eliminate duplication and fragmentation


2. Operational Architecture for AI Systems
  • Architect how AI systems operate in production environments at scale
  • Design for fault tolerance, graceful degradation, and human-in-the-loop workflows
  • Influence patterns for multi-model orchestration, routing, and fallback strategies


3. AI Platform Resilience & Reliability
  • Define SLA/SLO frameworks for AI systems in partnership with AI Operations
  • Architect solutions for high availability, Disaster Recovery, performance, and failure containment
  • Partner with AI Ops on incident response models, runbooks, and recovery strategies


4. Influence AI Lifecycle & Deployment Architecture (AIDLC & Permit to Operate)

Define standards for model and AI capability lifecycle management, including:
  • Versioning and release management
  • A/B testing and canary deployments
  • Rollback and fail-safe mechanisms
  • Drive consistency across teams building AI solutions

5. Strategic Partnership with Technology Operations
  • Establish clear separation of responsibilities:
    This role: architecture, integration, standards
    AI Ops: execution, monitoring, incident management
  • Ensure seamless collaboration to deliver reliable, enterprise-grade AI systems
  • Product Management for Observability, Monitoring & Telemetry including establishing enterprise-wide standards for AI observability


6. Enterprise Leadership & Influence
  • Serve as the central authority on AI integration and operational architecture
  • Influence senior stakeholders across Technology, Data, Risk, and Business units
  • Drive alignment and adoption of enterprise AI standards


Educational Requirements
  • University (Degree) Preferred

Work Experience
  • 10+ Years Required


Career Level
11PL

10+ years in technology leadership roles, with deep experience in:
• Distributed systems architecture
• Platform engineering or SRE
• AI/ML systems at scale
• Proven track record of building and operating complex, enterprise platforms
• Integrating third-party and in-house AI/ML solutions

12-15+ years in technology leadership roles, with deep experience in:
• Distributed systems architecture
• Platform engineering or SRE
• AI/ML systems at scale
• Proven track record of building and operating complex, enterprise platforms
• Integrating third-party and in-house AI/ML solutions

Technical Expertise
Strong understanding of:
  • AI/ML ecosystems (LLMs, agents, pipelines)
  • Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • Data engineering and real-time architectures


Familiarity with:
  • MLOps / LLMOps frameworks
  • Observability and monitoring tools
  • API-driven and microservices architectures


Leadership & Mindset
  • Systems thinker with the ability to operate at enterprise scale and complexity
  • Strong product mindset-treating AI capabilities as platforms, not projects
  • Ability to influence without authority across federated teams
  • Balance of strategic vision and hands-on execution


What Success Looks Like
  • A unified, well-integrated AI ecosystem across the enterprise
  • Improved reliability, scalability, and performance for AI systems
  • Reduced tool fragmentation and vendor sprawl
  • Faster, safer deployment of AI capabilities
  • Strong partnership with AI Ops, with clear accountability and no overlap


Related Skills

Application Programming Interface (API) Development/Integration, Cloud Platforms, Data Management, Domain-Driven Design, Enterprise Application Integration, Enterprise Architecture, Influence, Innovation, Problem Solving, Scalability/Reliability, Software as a Service (SaaS), Software Development, Strategic Planning, Systems Design/Analysis

Anticipated Posting End Date:
2026-08-10

Base Pay Range: $232,000/yr - $290,000/yr

Actual base salary may vary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, base salary of internal peers, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, the competitive compensation package may include, depending on the role, participation in an incentive program linked to performance (for example, annual discretionary incentive programs, non-annual sales incentive plans, or other non-annual incentive plans).

About TIAA

TIAA is a financial services company that specializes in providing retirement plans, IRAs, mutual funds, and life insurance. The company is dedicated to helping those who teach, heal, and serve to achieve financial well-being. TIAA was founded in 1918 and headquartered in New York, United States.

TIAA Careers

Joining TIAA presents an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a team that prides itself on fostering a culture of growth, innovation, and leadership in the financial services industry. As a company deeply committed to the professional development and well-being of its employees, TIAA is where your career aspirations can take flight.

Work You’ll Do

At TIAA, we are dedicated to providing our employees with meaningful job opportunities that offer both challenges and rewards. We believe in nurturing the skills and talents of our team members through diverse career paths, leadership development programs, and continuous learning opportunities.

Explore Our Team

Become a part of a workforce that is as diverse as the clients we serve. At TIAA, we understand that unique perspectives lead to innovative ideas and better decision-making. Our inclusive culture supports diversity training, ensuring all team members can thrive.

Innovate with Us

TIAA is at the forefront of financial innovation. We encourage our employees to lead the way in developing new strategies and solutions that continue to redefine the industry. Our collaborative environment supports your ideas and fosters creativity at every level.

Grow Your Career

Whether you are looking for your first internship or a seasoned professional position, TIAA offers a range of employment opportunities to help you realize your potential. Take advantage of our comprehensive benefits package, competitive salaries, and programs designed to support your career growth.

Networking and Professional Development

Networking at TIAA goes beyond connecting with colleagues; it involves engaging with industry leaders and participating in high-impact mentoring programs. Our commitment to professional growth is evident through our robust training and development courses tailored to enhance your career journey.

Join Our Hiring Process

Embark on your career with TIAA through a straightforward hiring process. Start by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests on our Jobs page. Submit your resume, prepare for your interview, and let your journey of professional fulfillment begin.

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At TIAA, we are not just offering jobs; we are building futures. We invite you to join our team and experience a career where your growth is our priority, and your potential is limitless.

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Discover the opportunities waiting for you at TIAA. Search for open positions that align with your career goals and apply today. Let’s innovate, lead, and grow together. [SEARCH TIAA JOBS] [READ CAREERS BLOG]
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