ABOUT THE ROLE:The Senior Manager, Automation & AI leads Navigant Credit Union's intelligent automation practice, overseeing the delivery, governance, and roadmap for RPA, Power Platform, and applied AI initiatives. This role manages the RPA Automation Developer and RPA Analyst, sets technical and delivery standards for the automation pipeline, and partners closely with the SVP, Director of Technology to mature automation from a project-based function into a coordinated, scalable practice spanning UiPath, Power Automate, Copilot, and other AI enabled workflows, aligning intelligent automation with organizational goals and emerging technology trends.
WHAT YOU WILL DO:- Leads and develops the automation team, ensuring the RPA Analysts and Automation Developers are well-trained, motivated, and aligned with organizational goals. Oversees hiring, performance management, coaching, and professional development to foster a culture of excellence and accountability.
- Owns the end-to-end automation delivery pipeline, including intake, opportunity assessment, solution design, development, testing, deployment, and post-implementation support. Assists the SVP, Director of Technology in establishing the credit union's AI and Automation delivery strategy.
- Sets and enforces delivery standards, coding practices, and documentation requirements for RPA and Power Platform development, including UiPath Document Understanding and related components.
- Determines the right automation tool for each use case, whether UiPath, Power Automate, or AI agents/Copilot, and maintains a coherent architecture across the three.
- Analyzes pipeline metrics and delivery trends to identify opportunities for improvement, implementing data-driven strategies to enhance throughput, quality, and adoption.
- Builds and matures a business analysis practice for automation, including process discovery, requirements gathering, and ROI and benefits tracking for delivered automations.
- Manages vendor relationships supporting the automation practice, including statement-of-work scope, deliverables, and knowledge transfer engagements.
- Partners with the SVP, Director of Technology and VP, Cybersecurity and ISO on the Citizen Development program, defining guardrails, training, and governance for automation building outside of the core team.
- Identifies opportunities to extend automation into AI-enabled and judgment-based workflows, in coordination with broader AI initiatives.
- Represents automation and AI initiatives providing recommendations on emerging AI capabilities, industry trends, and risk considerations to inform enterprise strategy.
- Serves as a key liaison between IT and business lines, translating automation pipeline insights into actionable strategies that support organizational growth and resilience.
- Performs additional duties as assigned by the SVP, Director of Technology, contributing to departmental goals and enterprise priorities.
QUALIFICATIONS:EducationBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Experience/
Skills/Knowledge:
- 5+ years of experience in intelligent automation, RPA, or process improvement, including hands-on development experience building, testing, and deploying bots required.
- Demonstrated development experience and strong working familiarity with UiPath, including Studio, Orchestrator, and Document Understanding; UiPath certification (e.g., RPA Developer, Advanced Developer) preferred.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform (Power Automate, Power Apps) and AI-enabled tools such as Copilot required.
- 2+ years of experience leading or managing a technical team, including hiring, coaching, and performance management required.
- Must have proven ability to manage an end-to-end delivery pipeline, from intake and opportunity assessment through deployment and post-implementation support.
- Must have prior experience managing vendor relationships, statements of work, and knowledge transfer engagements.
- Strong analytical skills, with experience using pipeline and delivery metrics to drive continuous improvement required.
- Must possess strong service orientation skills in alignment with the credit union's mission and core values.
- Must have excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical automation concepts for business and executive audiences. Excellent verbal, written, telephone and interpersonal skills required.
- Experience in financial services or a regulated industry preferred.
- Ability to function in a commercial office environment and utilize standard office equipment including but not limited to: fax, copier, telephone, etc. Some travel required.
