Head of Corporate IT

About Us

Live Oak Bank is a digital bank that serves small business owners across the country.  Our groundbreaking spin on service and technology has fueled our mission to be America’s Small Business Bank. Our products help customers buy, build, and expand their business, and our high-yield savings and CD products help them grow their hard-earned money.  At Live Oak, we never lose sight of the well-being of our people. We believe our employees are the heart of our company. Our commitment to our customers and culture is intertwined, and we seek those who embody and embrace what it takes to empower the American dream.

How This Role Impacts Live Oak and its People

As the Head of Corporate IT at Live Oak Bank, you will be the driving force behind our enterprise IT systems and support. Your leadership will shape the IT strategy that not only meets our current needs but propels us into the future. By prioritizing employee experience and leveraging data-driven insights, you'll create an optimized IT environment that empowers our team to excel in serving America's small businesses. Your vision and execution will be crucial in maintaining Live Oak's competitive edge and fostering a culture of innovation and efficiency across the organization.

What You’ll Do at Live Oak

• Develop and implement a comprehensive IT strategy aligned with Live Oak's business objectives for the next 3-5 years

• Lead and mentor a team of IT professionals, including Systems Engineering Managers, Senior Engineers, and support staff

• Drive innovation in our IT infrastructure, constantly seeking ways to optimize processes and systems

• Prioritize and enhance the employee experience through intuitive, efficient, and cutting-edge IT solutions

• Collaborate with the CTO and other executive leaders to ensure IT initiatives support overall business goals

• Manage the IT budget, balancing cost-effectiveness with the need for technological advancement

• Partner with CISO to oversee the security and compliance of Live Oak's IT systems, ensuring adherence to industry regulations and Live Oak security standards

• Implement data-driven decision-making processes across the IT department

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning within the IT team

• Evaluate and integrate new technologies to keep Live Oak at the forefront of the financial technology sector

• Develop and maintain relationships with key technology vendors and partners

• Ensure high availability and performance of all IT systems critical to Live Oak's operations

How You’ll Do It           

• Leverage extensive experience in enterprise IT management to guide strategic decisions

• Apply a data-driven approach to all aspects of IT operations and strategy

• Prioritize employee experience in every IT initiative and decision

• Lead by example, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence

• Utilize strong communication skills to articulate IT vision and strategy to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

• Implement robust project management methodologies to ensure timely delivery of IT initiatives

• Continuously analyze and optimize IT processes for maximum efficiency

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends to inform strategic planning

• Balance short-term needs with long-term strategic goals in IT planning and execution

• Cultivate strong relationships across the organization to ensure IT aligns with business needs

Required and Preferred Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

• 5+ years of experience in IT leadership roles, with at least 1 year managing enterprise IT for organizations of 800-2500 employees

• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful IT strategies

• Strong understanding of current and emerging technologies in the financial sector

• Experience in optimizing IT processes and driving innovation

• Excellent leadership and team management skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Superior communication and interpersonal skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale IT budgets effectively

Preferred:

• MBA or other advanced degree in a relevant field

• Experience in the banking or financial services industry or