Sr. AI Catalyst

Mechanics Bank is currently searching for a Sr. AI Catalyst to join our team. Here at Mechanics Bank, we value connection, partnership, long-term relationships and working together in person. This is a fully remote opportunity. The Senior AI Catalyst is the most experienced Catalyst on the AI Innovation team, handling the highest-complexity, highest-visibility innovations that span multiple business units and require navigating organizational politics, compliance considerations, and executive alignment.

This role represents the team to the broader organization and operates within a Paired Innovation model — Paired Innovation — the working model where a Catalyst and Creator partner throughout the innovation lifecycle, combining business insight with technical execution. The Senior AI Catalyst mentors junior Catalysts, shapes the team's intake and prioritization processes, and is able to serve as acting team lead when the Director is unavailable.

Reports to the Director, AI Innovation.

• Lead the highest-complexity, cross-functional innovation initiatives spanning multiple business units, managing stakeholder dynamics, compliance requirements, and executive alignment.
• Mentor Associate AI Catalysts, providing guidance on stakeholder management, BRD (Business Requirements Document) quality, discovery techniques, and professional development.
• Shape and refine the team's innovation intake and ALIGN-based prioritization process, ensuring the pipeline reflects strategic business value.
• Represent the AI Innovation team in governance, compliance, and cross-functional leadership conversations.
• Partner with Senior AI Creators through the Paired Innovation model on the most complex builds, providing deep business context and navigating organizational requirements.
• Present innovation outcomes, business cases, and strategic recommendations to senior and executive leadership.
• Own the implementation follow-up framework, ensuring post-production metrics (adoption rate, hours saved, ALIGN reconciliation) are tracked and reported.
• Lead quarterly innovation showcases and contribute to team culture, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as acting team lead when the Director is unavailable, maintaining team cadence and decision-making.
• Contribute to SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) alignment and process design for the AI Innovation team.

• 4 Year / Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, Communications, or related field preferred.
• Graduate Degree in Data Analytics or Innovation Management preferred.
• Additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in strategy, program management, innovation leadership, or senior business analysis in complex environments required.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholder groups and executive-level communication required.
• 8+ years of experience in financial services, banking, or regulated industries preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in advanced AI fluency and regular integration of AI tools into business workflows preferred.
• Extensive experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives in regulated environments with multiple stakeholder groups.
• Advanced AI fluency with the ability to evaluate how AI capabilities map to business opportunities.
• Executive presence with strong presentation skills for senior and C-suite audiences.
• Proven leadership and mentoring skills with a track record of developing junior team members.
• Deep understanding of innovation lifecycle management, prioritization frameworks, and adoption measurement.
• Experience navigating compliance, governance, and regulatory…