Manager, Applied AI - Ameritas

Lead strategic Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives related to cost reductions, revenue growth, and improving operational work within the organization. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive AI-centric solutions and enhance business outcomes.

Work closely with lines of business, engineering, and data science teams to integrate AI solutions into existing processes and technologies. Act as evangelist/coach to foster a culture of AI awareness and understanding. The incumbent will provide thought leadership on technologies, platforms, AI roadmap, and tool recommendations. Create and nurture partnerships and alliances with internal stakeholders, becoming a trusted advisor with a strong subject matter expertise. Communicate AI progress, challenges, and impact to leadership, teams, and external partners.

Oversee the development of an enterprise team of practitioners to enable and support the creation, training, and optimization of AI models, ensuring accuracy, scalability, and ethical considerations. Lead the design, development, and deployment of intelligent AI agents, such as chatbots, virtual assistants, or recommendation systems.

At Ameritas, our mission is Fulfilling Life. We do that in many ways, but especially by helping people invest in themselves by offering trusted financial products and advice. Because we believe everyone should be happy, healthy, and financially secure, we work hard to provide trusted financial products and valued guidance, including individual life and disability insurance, employee benefits, retirement planning, investments, and wealth management services.

This role could be hybrid (Lincoln, NE) or remote based on proximity to an office location. Hybrid in Lincoln, NE would be the preference.

What you do

• Create a high performing culture through associate and business resources by managing team annual performance and objective goals and ensuring associates have opportunities to achieve and excel in their work.
• Monitor and evaluate adherence to regulations, policies, and procedures and conduct vendor contract negotiations to ensure proper and cost-effective usage of software contracts.
• Leverage AI insights to develop strategies and tools to optimize revenue, expense, and margin (ex: return on equity).
• Manage and develop a team of subject matter experts that combine technical expertise with an analytical mindset to create valuable insights and solutions at scale.
• Facilitate decision-making to support the strategic goals of business stakeholder.
• Manage the release process across the AI portfolio.
• Support the team and stakeholders as a Subject Matter Expert in best practices, delivery, and AI Strategy.
• Continuously evaluate for opportunities to improve current processes and find efficiencies utilizing industry best practices.

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• 4-7 years of overall relevant experience required.
• 2 or more years of supervisory, management, or leadership experience required.
• 1-3 years of experience in A.I. related technologies including generative A.I. language model architecture, transformers, A.I. agents, or agentic development required.

What We Offer

• Our company motto is “Fulfilling Life” and we take that job seriously, with a heavy commitment to volunteering and community support, employee well-being, and providing quality products and services that help our customers create a brighter future.
• Being a mutual-based organization, the return on our investment goes back into the company, to benefit our members/customers.
• We’re committed to professional development, opportunity, inclusion and diversity. Team building and collaboration are also priorities.
• A total rewards package with all the comprehensive health and welfare benefits you’d expect, including competitive pay and incentives, 401(k), flexible work schedules and time off to care for yourself and others.
• Additional popular benefits, including tuition reimbursement, and student loan repayment, an incentivized well-being program, adoption assistance, paid time off for volunteering, training, and career development opportunities.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Ameritas has a reputation as a company that cares, and because everyone should feel safe bringing their authentic, whole self to work, we’re committed to an inclusive culture and diverse workplace, enriched by our individual differences. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that hires based on qualifications, positive attitude, and exemplary work ethic, regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary range $101,574 minimum to $167,596 maximum.

The pay range posted reflects a nationwide minimum to maximum covering all potential locations where the position may be filled. The final determination on pay for any position will be based on multiple factors including role, career level, work location, skill set, and candidate level of experience to ensure pay equity within the organization. This position will be eligible to participate in our comprehensive benefits package (see above for details). This position will be eligible to participate in our Short-Term Incentive Plan with the annual target defined by the plan.

Pay transparency is rooted in principles of fairness, equity, and accountability within the workplace. Sharing pay ranges for all job postings is one way Ameritas shows our commitment to equitable compensation practices.