Executive Principal, AI Product & Strategy
The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC), Chicago, Illinois, United States
About The Role
We are seeking a senior leader to drive the strategic direction and product management of our enterprise AI and Generative AI portfolio. This is a high-impact, portfolio-level role responsible for treating AI capabilities as products — complete with roadmaps, user experience standards, adoption metrics, and continuous improvement cycles.
This role operates at the intersection of technology strategy, product leadership, and AI domain expertise. You will serve as the connective tissue between AI/ML technical teams and business stakeholders, leading through influence rather than direct organizational authority. As the portfolio matures, the role may evolve to include direct reports and people leadership.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.
Portfolio Strategy & Ownership
Own the enterprise AI product portfolio end-to-end, setting vision, strategy, and prioritization across multiple AI capabilities and initiatives.
Identify opportunities to redesign traditional business processes using AI-native approaches, driving transformation that goes beyond incremental automation.
Develop and maintain product roadmaps that balance near-term business value with long-term strategic positioning.
Business Case Development & Investment Strategy
Build rigorous analytical foundations for AI investment decisions, including cost-benefit analyses, ROI modeling, and strategic framing.
Present business cases and portfolio updates to senior leadership, translating technical potential into business language.
Metrics, Measurement & Optimization
Establish measurement frameworks for AI adoption, effectiveness, and return on investment across the portfolio.
Define and track KPIs that demonstrate business impact, not just technical performance.
Drive continuous improvement through data-informed iteration.
Governance & Responsible AI
Ensure responsible AI practices are embedded into the product lifecycle, including fairness, transparency, explainability, and compliance with our regulatory environment.
Partner with risk, legal, and compliance functions to maintain governance standards appropriate for a regulated financial services organization.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Build alignment across technology, business, and risk functions through shared frameworks, standards, and success metrics.
Influence prioritization and resource allocation through stakeholder relationships and compelling business cases.
Serve as a trusted advisor to both technical teams and business leaders, bridging the gap between what AI can do and what the organization needs it to do.
Qualifications The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.
Experience
10+ years of progressive experience in product management, technology strategy, or applied AI/ML, with a significant portion in financial services or other highly regulated industries.
Demonstrated track record of leading enterprise-scale programs or product portfolios through influence rather than direct line authority.
Experience building business cases for technology investments and presenting to C‑suite or senior executive audiences.
Hands‑on familiarity with AI/ML technologies, including generative AI, with the ability to evaluate technical feasibility and translate capabilities into business value.
Skills & Capabilities
Strategic thinking: Ability to set direction for a complex, evolving portfolio and make principled trade‑offs across competing priorities.
Cross‑functional influence: Proven ability to drive outcomes across organizational boundaries without relying on org chart authority — through coalition‑building, program design, and stakeholder engagement.
Business translation: Comfort operating fluently between deeply technical AI/ML teams and non‑technical business and risk stakeholders.
Governance mindset: Understanding of responsible AI principles and experience implementing oversight frameworks in regulated environments.
Measurement orientation: Strong analytical instincts with experience defining and operationalizing success metrics for technology products or platforms.
Preferred Background
Experience at a financial institution, exchange, financial market utility, or fintech in a product, strategy, or applied AI role.
Experience establishing AI/ML governance committees, oversight models, or centers of excellence.
Background that includes a blend of technical credibility (e.g., ML engineering, data science, platform architecture) and strategic or product leadership.
Experience scaling programs through partnerships — academic, industry, or cross‑organizational.
Why This Role Matters AI transformation is inherently cross‑functional — it cannot be owned by a single vertical organization. This role exists because we believe the next wave of enterprise value will come from treating AI as a managed product portfolio, not a collection of disconnected experiments. The person in this seat will shape how our organization builds, adopts, and governs AI at scale.
Compensation Compensation will be benchmarked against senior technology strategy and product leadership roles at peer financial services organizations and will reflect the portfolio‑level scope and strategic nature of the position.
Benefits
A hybrid work environment, up to 2 days per week of remote work
Tuition Reimbursement to support your continued education
Student Loan Repayment Assistance
Technology Stipend allowing you to use the device of your choice to connect to our network while working remotely
Generous PTO and Parental leave
401k Employer Match
Competitive health benefits including medical, dental and vision
Visit
https://www.theocc.com/careers/thriving-together
for more information.
Compensation Details
The salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education.
In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on www.theocc.com/careers
All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed.
Salary Range $206,900.00 - $326,900.00
Incentive Range 28% to 35%
This position is eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award, for which the target range is listed above (see Incentive Range). The amount of such award, if any, will be based on various factors, including without limitation, both individual and company performance.
Application Steps
When you find a position you're interested in, click the 'Apply' button. Please complete the application and attach your resume.
You will receive an email notification to confirm that we've received your application.
If you are called in for an interview, a representative from OCC will contact you to set up a date, time, and location.
For more information about OCC, please click
here .
OCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
This role operates at the intersection of technology strategy, product leadership, and AI domain expertise. You will serve as the connective tissue between AI/ML technical teams and business stakeholders, leading through influence rather than direct organizational authority. As the portfolio matures, the role may evolve to include direct reports and people leadership.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.
Portfolio Strategy & Ownership
Own the enterprise AI product portfolio end-to-end, setting vision, strategy, and prioritization across multiple AI capabilities and initiatives.
Identify opportunities to redesign traditional business processes using AI-native approaches, driving transformation that goes beyond incremental automation.
Develop and maintain product roadmaps that balance near-term business value with long-term strategic positioning.
Business Case Development & Investment Strategy
Build rigorous analytical foundations for AI investment decisions, including cost-benefit analyses, ROI modeling, and strategic framing.
Present business cases and portfolio updates to senior leadership, translating technical potential into business language.
Metrics, Measurement & Optimization
Establish measurement frameworks for AI adoption, effectiveness, and return on investment across the portfolio.
Define and track KPIs that demonstrate business impact, not just technical performance.
Drive continuous improvement through data-informed iteration.
Governance & Responsible AI
Ensure responsible AI practices are embedded into the product lifecycle, including fairness, transparency, explainability, and compliance with our regulatory environment.
Partner with risk, legal, and compliance functions to maintain governance standards appropriate for a regulated financial services organization.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Build alignment across technology, business, and risk functions through shared frameworks, standards, and success metrics.
Influence prioritization and resource allocation through stakeholder relationships and compelling business cases.
Serve as a trusted advisor to both technical teams and business leaders, bridging the gap between what AI can do and what the organization needs it to do.
Qualifications The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.
Experience
10+ years of progressive experience in product management, technology strategy, or applied AI/ML, with a significant portion in financial services or other highly regulated industries.
Demonstrated track record of leading enterprise-scale programs or product portfolios through influence rather than direct line authority.
Experience building business cases for technology investments and presenting to C‑suite or senior executive audiences.
Hands‑on familiarity with AI/ML technologies, including generative AI, with the ability to evaluate technical feasibility and translate capabilities into business value.
Skills & Capabilities
Strategic thinking: Ability to set direction for a complex, evolving portfolio and make principled trade‑offs across competing priorities.
Cross‑functional influence: Proven ability to drive outcomes across organizational boundaries without relying on org chart authority — through coalition‑building, program design, and stakeholder engagement.
Business translation: Comfort operating fluently between deeply technical AI/ML teams and non‑technical business and risk stakeholders.
Governance mindset: Understanding of responsible AI principles and experience implementing oversight frameworks in regulated environments.
Measurement orientation: Strong analytical instincts with experience defining and operationalizing success metrics for technology products or platforms.
Preferred Background
Experience at a financial institution, exchange, financial market utility, or fintech in a product, strategy, or applied AI role.
Experience establishing AI/ML governance committees, oversight models, or centers of excellence.
Background that includes a blend of technical credibility (e.g., ML engineering, data science, platform architecture) and strategic or product leadership.
Experience scaling programs through partnerships — academic, industry, or cross‑organizational.
Why This Role Matters AI transformation is inherently cross‑functional — it cannot be owned by a single vertical organization. This role exists because we believe the next wave of enterprise value will come from treating AI as a managed product portfolio, not a collection of disconnected experiments. The person in this seat will shape how our organization builds, adopts, and governs AI at scale.
Compensation Compensation will be benchmarked against senior technology strategy and product leadership roles at peer financial services organizations and will reflect the portfolio‑level scope and strategic nature of the position.
Benefits
A hybrid work environment, up to 2 days per week of remote work
Tuition Reimbursement to support your continued education
Student Loan Repayment Assistance
Technology Stipend allowing you to use the device of your choice to connect to our network while working remotely
Generous PTO and Parental leave
401k Employer Match
Competitive health benefits including medical, dental and vision
Visit
https://www.theocc.com/careers/thriving-together
for more information.
Compensation Details
The salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education.
In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on www.theocc.com/careers
All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed.
Salary Range $206,900.00 - $326,900.00
Incentive Range 28% to 35%
This position is eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award, for which the target range is listed above (see Incentive Range). The amount of such award, if any, will be based on various factors, including without limitation, both individual and company performance.
Application Steps
When you find a position you're interested in, click the 'Apply' button. Please complete the application and attach your resume.
You will receive an email notification to confirm that we've received your application.
If you are called in for an interview, a representative from OCC will contact you to set up a date, time, and location.
For more information about OCC, please click
here .
OCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr