Role Overview:
We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Senior Portfolio Initiative Leader to join our client's Financial Sector organization. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the end-to-end lifecycle of strategic IT initiatives within the Office Technology portfolio. This role requires a senior-level professional with a background in project and program management, portfolio definition, and governance.
You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with organizational goals, manage risks, and drive continuous improvement across initiatives. You will also serve as a trusted partner, able to backfill for the Portfolio Manager as needed and guide the organization through its transformation journey.
Key Responsibilities:
Portfolio Initiative Leadership
Collaborate with the Program Manager to ensure that the Strategic Initiatives align with the overall program vision and objectives.
Co-create and deliver a long-term roadmap for the Strategic Initiatives, ensuring buy-in from key stakeholders.
Take ownership of the end-to-end lifecycle for initiatives, from planning to execution, ensuring alignment with the transformation program.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prioritize and implement initiatives effectively.
Ensure sustainable and predictable planning and execution of initiatives.
Change Management & Communication
Implement a structured change management approach to engage and support colleagues throughout the transformation journey.
Establish effective communication channels to update stakeholders on initiative progress, challenges, and achievements.
Secure stakeholder buy-in across tools, processes, people, and skills throughout the transformation lifecycle.
Risk Management
Identify, communicate, and mitigate risks associated with initiatives, ensuring prompt resolution of issues.
Staffing & Budget
Manage staffing and budget allocation for initiatives, ensuring optimal efficiency and resource use.
Justify and secure required investments to support the successful execution of the initiatives.
Keep the Initiative Sponsor informed and receive guidance on major decisions.
Reporting & Metrics
Apply Jira Program standards to enable effective reporting across the portfolio.
Provide regular updates to the Initiative Sponsor, Program Manager, and other stakeholders, including key performance indicators and progress reports.
Continuous Improvement
Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the initiative teams, driving execution enhancements and program success.
Ensure adherence to the Quarterly Business Review (QBR) process and implement relevant ACF controls.
Utilize agile practices to enhance portfolio execution, including high-level refinement and sizing.
Qualifications & Experience:
Proven experience in project, program, and portfolio management, preferably within the financial services or banking sector.
Experience in defining and rolling out governance models for IT initiatives.
Strong background in managing risk within IT projects, with knowledge of risk definition and mitigation.
Experience with End-User Services and Enterprise Services is highly preferred.
Knowledge of Microsoft technologies, including co-pilot deployment, is a plus.
Experience working in Agile environments, including the use of Jira for progress tracking.
Relevant certifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2), Agile methodologies (Scrum), or IT Governance are highly desirable.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Skills:
Experience with Zero Trust frameworks (not essential but desirable).
Ability to manage complex technology portfolios within a financial services environment.
Strong leadership and ability to work autonomously when needed.
