AI / Digital Strategist - Community Bank of Santa Maria

Company Profile
Founded on March 1, 2001, the Community Bank of Santa Maria has 2 branch offices in Santa Maria and is a full-service retail bank, offering traditional banking products to members of our community. We take pride in our staff and provide a working environment that promotes professional and personal growth, while allowing our leadership team to engage in hand‑on management of his/her departments and not just policy implementation specialists. As such, this approach has resulted in decades long longevity within the bank of our employees.

Job Summary
Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Digital/AI Strategist will bridge the gap between the bank’s digital and AI capabilities and its financial business goals. The ideal candidate will be responsible for shaping and executing the bank’s roadmap for AI adoption, workflow modernization, and digital transformation, while identifying high‑value opportunities to improve efficiency, enhance the customer and employee experiences. In optimizing the bank’s software ecosystem, this person will serve as the bank’s primary expert on practical AI use cases, emerging digital capabilities, and process improvement opportunities, while ensuring that technology investments align with business goals, regulatory expectations, and operational realities.

Duties / Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive analyses to identify how AI can improve the bank’s business processes and enhance the customer experience

Develop digital strategies aligned with overarching business goals, such as improving customer retention or increasing operational efficiency

Assess current technological infrastructures and establish step‑by‑step product road maps to guide investments

Allocate resources, manage technology budgets, and collaborate with vendors to acquire and deploy new platforms

Survey and redesign business processes to remove friction, automate routine tasks, and lower operating costs

Use performance data and KPIs to monitor the success of implemented changes and identify areas requiring further improvement

Map the customer journey and leverage technology (e.g., self‑service portals, CRM tools) to improve end‑user touchpoints

Provide expert guidance in designing and overseeing the implementation of AI strategies that incorporate ethical considerations and maximize ROI

Strategically plan and manage AI initiatives to align with business goals and drive innovation

Stay ahead of AI trends and maintain a deep understanding of advancements in the field

Evaluate and measure the effectiveness of AI technologies and adjust strategies, as needed

Lead the adoption and integration of AI technologies across business units, to solve complex challenges and create value

Assess new AI technologies and their potential impact on the bank’s business; recommend investments and technology adoptions

Facilitate collaboration between departments to ensure that AI projects are effectively implemented and integrated

Equip staff to adopt new digital tools through structured training programs and support systems

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related discipline

At least 7 years of proven experience with digital strategy, process improvement, AI/Automation, or related roles

Extensive experience in strategy development, particularly in AI or digital transformation

Familiarity with enterprise software, automation tools, and digital platforms

Strong leadership skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts to a non-technical audience

Strategic thinker with a proven track record of executing successful technology integration projects

Experience in financial services, fintech, or other regulated industries, strongly preferred

Demonstrated success in leading cross‑functional digital or AI initiatives

Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills

Exemplary time management, organizational, problem‑solving, attention to detail, multi‑tasking, critical thinking and follow‑through skills

Ability to work effectively alone and within a collaborate team environment

Compensation
$150K - $180K DOE, for this full‑time, exempt position.

Benefits

Paid annual vacation and sick time

Medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance paid 100% for the employee; dependent coverage at employee’s cost available through employee’s payroll deductions

Simple IRA Plan with annual company match

11 paid public holidays annually

Restricted stock grant allotment

Working Hours
8:15AM – 5:15PM Monday – Friday

Location
Santa Maria, CA – onsite position

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