Manager& Automation & AI

Why DUCA?

We’re a vibrant, exciting credit union that lives its "profits with a purpose" philosophy in every financial transaction, product, interest rate, and community initiative we offer. Founded in 1954, DUCA has grown from a single branch credit union in Toronto to 19 branches across Southern Ontario with over 85,000 Members we are proud to serve.

We exist to help People, Businesses and Communities Do More, Be More, and Achieve More™.

DUCA (www.duca.com) is distinguished for the following:

• Positive, un-big bank like service experience delivered through Member-facing staff in branch, on the phone (Member-Connect) and via our Mobile mortgage specialists, Wealth Management advisors and Commercial and Business Banking Account Managers.
• Competitive rates.
• Personalized financial solutions, guidance, and service with the lowest possible fees for both Personal and Business Members.
• Profit sharing among Members.
• Multiple ways to bank—online, mobile app, phone/full-service Member Connect Contact Centre, and, of course, in-branch—DUCA is accessible 24/7
• A community philosophy of “profits with a purpose” culminating in the creation of the DUCA Impact Lab (www.ducaimpactlab.com), a charitable foundation committed to helping the credit challenged and underbanked. This led to DUCA's designation as a B-Corp certified organization, the first ever credit union to receive this global recognition.

A career with DUCA means you’ll find endless opportunities to make a difference with your unique abilities and perspectives. Our people live their purpose while helping others Do more, Be more and Achieve more with their money and their lives. At DUCA, you’ll be part of a vibrant and collaborative team where you’ll be supported to excel and make an impact, no matter what role you play.

Manager, Automation & AI

DUCA is looking for a Manager, Automation & AI to join our growing team!

Job Purpose & Summary

The Manager, Automation & AI is responsible for defining, designing, and enabling automation platforms, integration capabilities, and testing automation frameworks that improve the reliability, scalability, and delivery speed across DUCA’s technology landscape. This role leads system integration automation, API‑driven workflows, and AI‑enabled automation engineering practices across the organization.

The Manager, Automation & AI applies deep hands‑on expertise in APIs, integration tooling, and test automation while leveraging Artificial Intelligence to improve engineering productivity, solution quality, and platform reliability. The role plays a critical leadership function in embedding automation‑first and quality‑by‑design within delivery teams through standards, frameworks and enablement.

This role partners closely with teams across DUCA including the Applications and Data team, Centre of Excellence (CoE) teams, business stakeholders, and external vendors to provide technical feasibility assessments, identify automation opportunities, design resilient automation frameworks, and enable scalable automation across core banking, digital channels, and organization-wide platforms, including AI‑assisted web and mobile testing.

The Manager, Automation & AI will be responsible for goal setting, coaching and development of their direct reports as well.

Key Accountabilities & Duties

Automation Design Architecture

• Evolve DUCA’s automation capability across system integration, orchestration, and quality engineering.
• Define standards, patterns, and best practices for API‑based automation, orchestration, and integration workflows
• Design end‑to‑end automation architectures aligned with security, scalability, and compliance expectations in a banking environment.
• Collaborate with the data team, Centre of Excellence team, business stake holders, and application teams to ensure automation solutions align to DUCA’s target‑state technology roadmap.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert on automation technologies, AI‑assisted automation, and modern integration patterns.
• Review and recommend business-built AI agents and automation scripts for implementation.
• Provide architectural, security, and integration guidance through automation governance for solutions developed by business and operations teams.

API & Integration Automation

• Design, build, and maintain reusable automation solutions leveraging APIs, the data warehouse, and integration tools.
• Automate system‑to‑system interactions across core banking, digital, and third‑party platforms.
• Ensure automated integrations are resilient, observable, and documented, with appropriate error handling and monitoring.
• Partner with development teams to promote API‑first designs and automation‑friendly system architectures.
• Support secure automation practices including authentication, authorization, and data protection.

AI‑Enabled Automation & Process Optimization

• Identify and implement opportunities to leverage AI and intelligent automation to reduce manual effort and accelerate delivery in partnership with CoE and Project teams
• Apply AI tools to support automation logic generation, test script creation, defect analysis, and workflow optimization.
• Evaluate and recommend emerging AI automation platforms and tools from IT architecture, compliance, and business value perspective
• Continuously improve automation effectiveness using data, insights, and AI‑driven feedback loops.

Test Automation (Web & Mobile)

• Lead the design and implementation of scalable test automation frameworks including web and mobile applications.
• Leverage AI‑assisted testing tools to increase test coverage, reduce maintenance effort, and improve defect detection.
• Integrate automated testing into project delivery to enable continuous testing and faster release cycles.
• Collaborate with delivery teams to embed automation early in the software development life cycle.

Qualifications & Experience

• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience delivering IT automation, integration, and/or quality engineering solutions within large to mid-size organizations.
• 3+ years’ people management experience
• Demonstrated experience automating solutions in banking or financial services using APIs and integration platforms.
• Hands‑on experience designing and implementing automation frameworks for system integration and testing.
• Demonstrated experience applying AI‑enabled automation tools to improve engineering efficiency and solution quality.
• Proven experience automating web and mobile application testing.
• Experience with regulated environments and core banking platforms is an asset.
• Relevant certifications in automation, cloud platforms, quality engineering, or AI considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• Strong experience with API technologies (REST, JSON, OAuth, OpenAPI) and integration patterns.
• Proficiency with automation and integration tools (e.g., workflow automation engines, RPA, iPaaS, or custom frameworks).
• Experience with test automation frameworks for web and mobile applications.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Working knowledge of programming or scripting languages (e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript).
• Experience leveraging AI/ML tools to enhance automation and testing.
• Understanding of cloud platforms and modern application architectures.
• Familiarity with ITIL and organization-wide governance frameworks considered an asset.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex technical solutions into business value.
• Hands‑on, delivery‑oriented mindset with strong attention to quality.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Ability to influence and lead without formal authority.
• Curiosity, adaptability, and a continuous‑learning mindset, particularly with AI and automation technologies.

Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• Occasional after-hours work may be required to support production deployments or critical data initiatives.

Department: Information Technology

Primary Location: Corporate Office

Employment Status: Full-Time

Hours per Week: 38

Salary: The annual salary range for this position is $80,494 to $100,617. Actual annual base salaries will vary depending on relevant job-related factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, qualifications, and education/training. This position may be eligible for discretionary bonuses.

Number of Existing Vacancies: 1

DUCA is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Recruitment related accommodations will be provided upon request.

Our hiring process includes AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications. Talent Acquisition Partners review all results.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their application. Applications must include a resume.

We thank all applicants but only those considered for an interview will be contacted.