Technology Strategy and Integration

Who we are

FHLBank Chicago partners with our members in Illinois and Wisconsin to provide them competitively priced funding, a reasonable return on their investment in the Bank, and support for their community investment activities. We are one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks created by Congress in 1932 as a government sponsored enterprise to support mortgage lending and community investment. We are member owned and member focused. Our members include banks, credit unions, insurance companies and CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institution).

What it's like to work here

At FHLBank Chicago, we bring people together. Our regular All-Staff meetings keep employees informed and our values drive the work that we do. Our Buddy Program pairs new hires with tenured employees to guide their onboarding. Our Employee Value Proposition is honed by listening and identifying the needs and priorities of our valued employees. We volunteer and identify ways to strengthen our communities. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and culture clubs create connections around shared interests and experiences. We offer live and on-demand professional development opportunities to grow your skillset and your career.

What You'll do

The Assistant Director, MPF Technology Strategy & Initiatives provides strategic and operational leadership for technology-forward initiatives supporting Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) driving disciplined end-to-end product strategy. Partner with technology and operations leadership to shape and modernize the technology platform using emerging technologies to meet the current and future demands of the FHLB system membership. This position will develop and direct a structured program to expand the implementation teams' responsible practical use of artificial intelligence tools in project delivery and day-to-day work to drive efficiency and effectiveness. The role will lead strategic business/technology initiatives that modernize the external stakeholder experience and strengthen how the MPF Program uses technology, data, and digital capabilities to create value. Key areas of focus may include Cloud, APIs, data lakehouse and Databricks capabilities, reporting, loan servicing modernization, business resiliency, and QA automation. This position works with MPF Program leadership and across business and technology teams to influence strategic planning and translate strategy into disciplined execution.

How you'll make an impact:

• Shape the future of mortgage technology. Lead high-visibility initiatives that modernize the MPF platform, influence long-term technology strategy, and help deliver innovative solutions that create value for members across the FHLBank System.
• Turn emerging technologies into real business results. Drive the practical adoption of AI, data, cloud, API, and digital capabilities, helping teams work smarter, improve efficiency, and deliver better outcomes for customers and stakeholders.
• Bridge strategy and execution at an enterprise level. Partner with senior leaders across business and technology teams to identify opportunities, build roadmaps, and guide complex initiatives from concept through implementation and measurable impact.
  

What you can expect:

• Provide leadership for MPF technology, business, and AI strategies, establishing priorities and practical roadmaps aligned with Bank and business goals.
• Develop and lead a structured program and methodology that helps team members responsibly apply AI tools to project work, systems development, delivery, analysis, and day-to-day activities to drive execution efficiency.
• Partner directly with development, delivery Teams, architecture, data, and business resources to accelerate promote effective adoption of AI and other emerging technologies within Bank standards.
• Lead strategic business initiatives focused on modernizing the external stakeholder experience through technology, including APIs, data lakehouse and Databricks capabilities, reporting, and loan servicing modernization and business resiliency.
• Use a data-centric approach to inform business strategy and translate customer needs into technology-enabled opportunities, business cases, implementation plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Participate in the long term strategic planning, providing technology perspectives and strategies to evolve with the industry and enable the MPF Program to meet the future needs of stakeholders.
• Collaborate, liaison and ensure technical and strategic alignment with various business and technology groups across the Bank.
• FHLBC technology with business and technology Teams across the Provide senior-level business leadership for cross-functional technology initiatives, balancing customer value, operational needs, risk, cost, and long-term sustainability.
• Build alignment among technical and business stakeholders by communicating complex concepts clearly and facilitating decisions across teams.
• Identify opportunities to improve technology adoption, data use, process efficiency, team capability, and delivery effectiveness.
• Establish governance, success measures, and reporting for assigned programs and initiatives, and communicate progress, risks, and recommendations to senior management.
• Develop and manage strategic relationships with technology partners and third parties, as needed.
• Strengthen team depth by sharing expertise, coaching others, building repeatable practices, and supporting succession and development planning.
• Anticipate technology, vendor, and delivery risks and develop appropriate mitigation and continuity strategies.

What you'll bring:

• Bachelor's degree in business, technology, engineering, data, finance, or a related field. MBA preferred.
• 10 years of relevant work experience in technology, financial services, product strategy, systems delivery, or a related field.
• 10 years of leadership experience, including leading people, programs, major initiatives, or cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience applying AI tools in a development, delivery, product, or business environment.
• Experience designing and leading technology-enabled business initiatives, including structured utilization of AI, API development or enablement, data platforms, reporting, systems modernization, or related capabilities.
• Experience developing business strategy, product strategy, business cases, and implementation plans.
• Financial services experience, mortgage industry experience preferred. Experience across the mortgage lifecycle, from loan origination, servicing and secondary marketing, is a plus.
• Extensive technology background with the ability to connect technical capabilities to business strategy and customer value.
• Strong understanding of artificial intelligence tools, responsible adoption considerations, and practical use in development, delivery, and business workflows.
• Knowledge of APIs, data architecture, data integration, analytics, reporting, cloud or data platform capabilities, and systems modernization.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and determine where they can improve business outcomes, efficiency, quality, or stakeholder experience.
• Strong strategic planning, product management, program leadership, and disciplined execution capabilities.
• Strong executive-level communication in all forms including verbal, written, presentation style.
• Ability to build business cases, define success measures, track effectiveness, and communicate recommendations to senior management.
• Ability to lead through influence and work effectively with cross-functional teams at both technical and business levels.
• Advanced collaboration, communication, listening, facilitation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, establish structure, prioritize competing needs, and move complex initiatives forward.
• Knowledge of first mortgage operations and the secondary mortgage market preferred.
• Ability to develop productive third-party partnerships and manage strategic vendor relationships.
• Ability to coach others, transfer knowledge, and build sustainable team capability
• Agile Principles and Values
• Backlog management and prioritization Skills
• Business Analysis
• Change Mangement
• Customer Success
• Making decisions based on imperfect data
• Member Centricity & value creation
• Process Improvement
• Product Development and ImplementationLevel 4
• Product Management principlesLevel 4
• Product StrategyLevel

The Perks

At FHLBank Chicago, employees come first. We offer a highly competitive compensation and bonus package, and access to a comprehensive benefits program designed to meet the needs of our employees. Our retirement program includes a 401K and Pension. Our generous PTO plan provides five weeks of vacation for new employees and 11 paid holidays per year. We offer work from home options and a casual dress code at our beautiful new space in the Old Post Office. Step into your future with us.

Salary Range:

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors. In addition to the base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package which can be found here: https://hrportal.ehr.com/fhlbc