Senior Director, Enterprise Program Management

Description

The Senior Director of Program Management is a leadership role overseeing the successful execution of initiatives and complex programs for our financial institution clients. This position is accountable for driving multiple projects, coordinating teams, establishing governance frameworks, and ensuring the achievement of clients' target outcomes at a strategic level.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strategic Leadership: Drives the successful execution of clients' initiatives and complex programs across multiple projects and workstreams to achieve targeted outcomes. Acts as the primary Cornerstone lead in collaboration with clients’ Sponsor, PMO, or Transformation Office.
• Program Management Oversight: Defines and implements effective tools, team structures, governance frameworks, and reporting processes. Coordinates closely with project sponsors, cross-functional teams, and assigned project managers to plan, develop scope, deliverables, resources, work plan, budget, and timing of new initiatives.
• Performance Tracking and Reporting: Articulates the business value of portfolios and programs by establishing and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of projects. Presents business cases, technical roadmaps, risks, recommendations, project plans, budgets, and status reports to senior business leaders within Cornerstone and clients.
• Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinates day-to-day delivery efforts with clients, Cornerstone, and vendor stakeholder teams. Manages escalation, resolution, and reporting of high-priority issues. Recommends project prioritization strategies to achieve program goals effectively.
• Client Engagement and Growth: Develops, manages, and presents client budgets and project work plans. Partner with Cornerstone leadership to drive growth, methodology development, and cross-practice collaboration. Assists in the development and ongoing improvement of program management tools.
• Team Management and Development: Coaches and manages other consultants while actively participating in Cornerstone’s performance development process.

Problem Solving/Analysis

• Conducts comprehensive assessments of client initiatives, analyzing challenges across multiple projects and workstreams to identify root causes and interdependencies affecting program success.
• Utilizes strategic thinking to align program objectives with the broader goals of the financial institution clients. Create frameworks that integrate diverse methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, etc.) to tailor solutions effectively.
• Employs Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and relevant metrics to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and make informed, data-driven decisions. Utilizes insights derived from performance tracking to adjust strategies and optimize program outcomes.
• Engages stakeholders at various levels within the company and clients’ organizations, leveraging exceptional communication and negotiation skills to drive consensus, resolve conflicts, and gain support for proposed solutions.
• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement by proactively seeking feedback, assessing lessons learned, and refining methodologies/tools. Drives the development and enhancement of program management tools to ensure ongoing effectiveness in problem-solving and solution delivery.

Business Impact and Scope

• The Senior Director of Program Management holds significant decision-making authority in setting the strategic direction for client initiatives and complex programs, influencing how resources are allocated, and guiding the overall approach to achieve targeted outcomes.
• Makes decisions regarding resource allocation, including human capital and financial budgets, impacting the successful execution and delivery of projects. Decisions made in this realm directly affect project timelines, quality, and overall success.
• Assesses risks associated with program execution, defining mitigation strategies, and determining when to escalate critical issues. Decisions made here can significantly impact project timelines, budgets, stakeholder relationships, and the achievement of desired outcomes.
• Empowered to make decisions regarding client relationship management, including communication strategies, escalation protocols, and handling critical issues. Decisions in this area can have a substantial impact on Cornerstone’s reputation, client satisfaction, and future business opportunities.
• Makes decisions regarding collaboration across departments, teams, and practices within the company to influence the success of integrated solutions. Contributes to improved methodologies, innovation, and long-term growth potential for the organization.

Communication and Collaboration

• Collaborates closely with project sponsors, senior business leaders, PMOs, Transformation Offices, and cross-functional teams to align on program objectives, share information, and ensure clarity in project scope, deliverables, and timelines.
• Works with assigned project managers and consultants, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship to ensure alignment with program goals. Facilitates a cohesive work environment, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members.
• Engages in regular communication with clients, presenting business cases, project plans, budgets, and status reports. Acts as a key liaison between the company and clients, ensuring clear and transparent communication to address concerns and achieve mutual understanding.
• Utilizes strong interpersonal skills to navigate and resolve conflicts, facilitate discussions, and negotiate with stakeholders. Promotes a collaborative problem-solving approach, encouraging input from diverse perspectives to arrive at effective solutions.
• Actively participates in Cornerstone’s performance development process, sharing insights, experiences, and best practices. Contributes to the development and improvement of program management tools, methodologies, and knowledge resources for the benefit of the team and the organization.

Influence Responsibility/Level of Interaction

• Exhibits strong leadership qualities, influencing internal teams, consultants, and stakeholders to align with strategic objectives. Inspires confidence, fosters teamwork, and motivates individuals to perform at their best within Cornerstone.
• Builds rapport and trust with clients, leveraging exceptional communication and negotiation skills to influence their decisions. Demonstrates expertise, professionalism, and a deep understanding of clients’ needs, shaping their behavior and fostering long-term partnerships.
• Effectively communicates program objectives and progress to stakeholders within and outside of Cornerstone. Influences behaviors by articulating compelling business cases, fostering alignment, and garnering support for proposed strategies or solutions.
• Demonstrates adeptness in resolving conflicts, mediating discussions, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Influences behaviors by promoting open dialogue, mutual understanding, and consensus-building to achieve common goals.
• Guides individuals and teams through change processes by effectively communicating the rationale, benefits, and implications of proposed changes. Influences behavior by inspiring confidence, managing resistance, and facilitating smooth transitions.

Supervisory Responsibility and Autonomy

• Supervisory Responsibility: Despite the absence of direct reports, this role exercises supervisory responsibilities by providing oversight, guidance, and mentorship to project managers and consultants involved in assigned projects. They ensure alignment with program goals, methodologies, and best practices. Takes on a leadership role in coordinating cross-functional teams, influencing their direction, and ensuring collaboration across different departments or practices within the organization. Provides strategic guidance and support to ensure projects are aligned with the company's objectives.
• Autonomy: Operates with a high level of autonomy in making critical decisions related to program management, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and client interactions. Has the authority to make strategic decisions that impact project outcomes and overall client satisfaction.

Qualifications

Technical Skills

• Program and Project Management: Proficiency in overseeing multiple programs and projects simultaneously, including project planning, resource allocation, risk management, and budgeting.
• Methodologies: Expertise in various project management methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, Scrum, SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), and PMI methodologies to adapt to different project requirements.
• Portfolio Management Tools: Experience with Project Portfolio Management (PPM) tools like Clarity, Microsoft Project, Planview, Smartsheet, or similar software for effective planning, tracking, and reporting of projects.
• Financial Services Knowledge: In-depth understanding of financial institution operations, banking processes, industry regulations, and familiarity with digital banking, lending, payments, and core vendors.
• Change Management: Strong working knowledge of change management principles to effectively manage and lead teams through transitions during program implementations.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Ability to assess risks associated with programs, develop risk mitigation strategies, and effectively manage and minimize potential project risks.
• Client Relationship Management: Skills in client communication, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to think strategically, aligning program objectives with broader business goals, and devising innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Proficiency in analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs), extracting insights from data, and preparing comprehensive reports and presentations for senior leadership and clients.
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution: Ability to negotiate effectively, resolve conflicts, and manage stakeholder expectations to achieve consensus and drive successful project outcomes.

Soft Skills

• Leadership: Ability to provide guidance, direction, and motivation to cross-functional teams, consultants, and stakeholders involved in various projects.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex ideas, present proposals, and interact effectively with clients, senior executives, and team members.
• Stakeholder Management: Proficiency in managing relationships with diverse stakeholders, addressing concerns, building consensus, and fostering collaboration among individuals with varying interests and perspectives.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and devise effective solutions to complex problems encountered during program execution.
• Adaptability: Flexibility and adaptability to navigate changing project requirements, market dynamics, client needs, and unforeseen challenges while maintaining focus on program objectives.
• Influence and Persuasion: Ability to influence decision-making, persuade stakeholders, and effectively convey the value proposition of proposed strategies or solutions.
• Conflict Resolution: Skilled in managing conflicts, mediating discussions, and facilitating constructive resolutions to maintain project momentum and foster positive relationships.
• Team Collaboration: Proficiency in fostering a collaborative work environment, encouraging teamwork, and promoting knowledge sharing among team members to achieve collective goals.
• Time Management: Strong organizational and time management skills to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and ensure timely delivery within specified deadlines.
• Emotional Intelligence: Ability to understand and manage emotions effectively, exhibit empathy, and navigate interpersonal relationships with tact and diplomacy.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Finance, Project Management, or a relevant field.
• Minimum of 8 years in program/portfolio management, Business Transformation Office (BTO), Enterprise Project Management (EPMO), or relevant consulting experience in US financial institutions exceeding $10 billion in assets.
• Broad understanding of regional bank operations, processes, and leading digital, lending, payments, and core vendors. Experience in leading bank transformation, process improvement, system conversion, and/or merger integration programs/projects.
• Proficiency in Agile, PMI, SAFe, Scrum, Waterfall, and PPM tools such as Clarity, MS Project, Planview, Smartsheet. Strong working knowledge of change management principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Project Management, or a related field can be preferred or advantageous.
• Professional certifications such as Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), Agile certifications (e.g., Certified ScrumMaster, SAFe Agilist), or other relevant industry certifications demonstrate specialized expertise and commitment to the field.
• Previous experience in leadership roles overseeing large-scale programs, leading teams, and managing complex projects can be highly preferred. Demonstrated success in providing strategic guidance and driving transformative initiatives is valued.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Cornerstone Advisors provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, our firm complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.