VP, Strategic Program Management Lead, Regional CBWMO, Group COO

As a Vice President, Lead in the Strategic Program Office, you will play a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives and ensuring robust governance across the Regional Consumer Banking & Wealth Management Operations’ (CBWMO) initiatives. You will be instrumental in supporting platform leads in defining and implementing platform strategy and roadmaps, aligning them with the broader organizational goals and market dynamics. This role involves end-to-end management and tracking of a diverse portfolio of projects, working closely with Project Managers to monitor financial performance (budget, forecast, actual spend) and project outcomes, with a keen focus on maintaining optimal portfolio health. You will be responsible for orchestrating Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings, synthesizing key insights for stakeholders, and collaborating with various business units to manage the budget for platform initiatives, ensuring strategic financial stewardship and effective resource allocation, while championing benefits realization discipline and ensuring high PSC decision quality.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning & Governance:
  • Act as a key advisor to platform leads, supporting the development of the platform value map and driving value realization at platform level.
  • Lead the formulation and refinement of platform strategy and roadmaps, translating strategic objectives into actionable plans that drive operational excellence and business growth.
  • Facilitate strategic discussions and workshops with senior stakeholders to ensure alignment and secure buy-in for key initiatives.
• Portfolio Management & Financial Oversight:
  • Owns portfolio coherence and value realization at platform level
  • Manage and track a comprehensive portfolio of CBWMO projects, meticulously monitoring financials including budget, forecast, and actual spend, alongside project status, risks, and overall outcomes.
  • Collaborate closely with Project Managers to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, identifying potential variances and recommending corrective actions.
  • Oversee the tracking and reporting of initiative benefit realization, providing insights into the tangible value delivered by strategic programs.
  • Drive the annual budgeting exercise for CBWMO's platform initiatives, working with finance and business units to prioritize investments and optimize resource allocation.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:
  • Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including Project Sponsors, Project Managers, Platform Leads, and Finance business unit controllers, ensuring seamless collaboration and effective communication.
  • Prepare and deliver compelling presentation materials for monthly Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings, clearly articulating project progress, challenges, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Facilitate PSC meetings, ensuring productive discussions, clear decision-making, and effective resolution of key issues.
• Process Improvement & Documentation:
  • Maintain rigorous documentation of PSC meeting minutes, action items, and decisions, ensuring timely follow-up and accountability.
  • Review, critically assess and challenge business cases with Project Managers, providing constructive feedback to enhance their strategic alignment, financial viability, and operational feasibility.
  • Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements within the Strategic Program Office and across CBWMO initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Requirements:

• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Project Management, or a related field. A Master's degree or relevant professional certifications (e.g., PMP, PgMP, SAFe Agilist) is highly preferred.
  • Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive experience in program management, strategic planning, or a similar strategic role within the financial services industry, preferably within Consumer Banking or Wealth Management Operations.
  • Demonstrated track record of successfully managing complex portfolios of projects and programs from inception to completion, with a strong focus on strategic outcomes.

• Skills & Competencies:
  • Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data, identify key trends, and formulate strategic recommendations. Proven ability to connect individual projects to overarching strategic goals.
  • Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences, including senior executives. Excellent interpersonal skills to build rapport and influence individuals at all levels.
  • Problem-Solving & Organization: Proactive and results-oriented problem-solver with strong planning, organizational, and time management skills. Possesses a meticulous eye for detail while effectively managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Technical Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in O365 tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, Outlook). Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including advanced pivot tables, complex formulae, data modeling, and visualization) and PowerPoint (for creating high-impact strategic presentations). Familiarity with project management software (e.g., Jira, Confluence) is a plus.
  • Leadership & Teamwork: A strong team player with a positive attitude, demonstrating leadership qualities, mentorship abilities, and a collaborative approach to achieving shared objectives.

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