Director, Innovation – Retail Lending

Who are we?

At Finastra, we’re a global leader in financial services software, dedicated to expanding access to financial services and shaping what’s next for the industry. Our technology powers mission‑critical solutions across Lending, Payments and Universal Banking, supporting over 7,000 customers, including 80% of the world’s top 50 banks, in more than 110 countries.

Role Overview

Director, Innovation – Retail Lending will identify and validate innovation opportunities across the US lending ecosystem (consumer mortgage and commercial loans), exploring new technologies like tokenization, stablecoin and new business models that improve lending efficiency, automation, and customer experience.

Particular focus will be placed on AI-driven lending innovation, including applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in underwriting, decisioning, fraud detection, compliance automation, and operational efficiency.

Working within the Lending Product Leads, Director, Innovation – Retail Lending will collaborate closely with fintech partners and banking clients to develop and validate innovation initiatives and translate them into scalable product capabilities and roadmap opportunities.

This role will report into the Head of Lending Portfolio Strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Ability to conceptualise new product capabilities and ecosystem integrations from emerging technologies and market trends and identify innovation opportunities in the US consumer and commercial lending market.

• Explore technologies such as AI and machine learning for underwriting automation, decisioning, risk assessment, and operational efficiency.

• Conduct customer discovery with US banks and ecosystem partners.

• Work closely with internal product leaders responsible for Mortgagebot and LaserPro.

• Build and manage a pipeline of innovation initiatives from discovery through POC and MVP validation.

• Evaluate commercial revenue viability including ROI and market potential of innovation initiatives.

• Collaborate with Technical Product Owners and engineering teams to develop POCs.

• Maintain strong understanding of modern financial technology architecture, APIs, cloud-native systems and digital asset infrastructure.

Requirements

• Proven expertise in US lending, fintech innovation, banking product management, or financial services innovation.

• Strong understanding of the US consumer mortgage and commercial lending ecosystem, and regulatory landscape.

• Experience working with retail banking technology platforms or fintech ecosystems.

• Knowledge of AI applications in financial services.

• Ability to translate market trends into actionable product opportunities, as well as experience conducting customer discovery and validating product concepts.

• Strong stakeholder management skills.

Preferred

• Experience working with US regional banks or lending technology providers.

• Familiarity with API-driven lending platforms and embedded finance ecosystems.

• Familiarity with LaserPro and Mortgagebot.

#LI-Hybrid

We are proud to offer a range of incentives to our employees worldwide. These benefits are available to everyone, regardless of grade, and reflect the values we uphold:

·       Flexibility: Enjoy unlimited vacation, based on your location and business priorities. Hybrid working arrangements, and inclusive policies such as paid time off for voting, bereavement, and sick leave.

·       Well-being: Access Confidential one-on-one therapy through our Employee Assistance Program, find support from our network of Wellbeing Champions and Gather Groups, and a calendar of monthly events and initiatives designed to help you thrive - Inside and Outside of work.

·       Medical, life & disability insurance, retirement plan, lifestyle and other benefits*

·       Sustainability: Benefit from paid time off for volunteering and donation matching.

·       DEI: Participate in multiple DE&I groups for open involvement (e.g., Count Me In, Culture@Finastra, Proud@Finastra, Disabilities@Finastra, Women@Finastra).

·       Career Development: Access online learning and accredited courses through our Skills & Career Navigator tool.

·       Recognition: Be part of our global recognition program, Finastra Celebrates, and contribute to regular employee surveys to help shape Finastra and foster a culture where everyone is engaged and empowered to perform at their best.

*Specific benefits may vary by location.

At Finastra, each individual is unique, bringing their own ideas, thoughts, cultural beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences together. We learn from one another, embrace and celebrate our differences, and create an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

Be unique, be exceptional, and help us make a difference at Finastra!

Applicants for this position need to be located in posted location or their immediate surrounding areas. Due to the requirements of this position, this job posting is not available for, and Finastra will not be considering any applicants who currently reside in New York City or California.