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Program Director – Strategic Transformation

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Waystone

21d ago

  • Job
    Full-time
    Expert Level
  • Consulting
    Business, Operations & Strategy
  • Belfast
  • Quick Apply

AI generated summary

  • You need a Bachelor’s/Master’s, project management certification, 15+ years in finance, proven project delivery skills, and excellent communication. Fund industry experience is preferred.
  • You will manage project delivery, ensure adherence to budgets, facilitate collaboration, oversee resource performance, communicate updates, and foster innovation across cross-functional teams.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree or Masters in a relevant field e.g. Project Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
  • Project management professional qualification e.g., PRINCE2 or IPMA certification.
  • Project management or business analyst relevant work experience.
  • Proficiency in English is required. Additional languages, an advantage.
  • Minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience in Project Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related discipline in the financial sector with proven path of advancement. Funds Industry experience preferred.
  • Proven track record of project delivery, exemplary budget management and lateral thinking.
  • Pre/post merger integration programs, global system implementations, target operating model execution experience preferred.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for holding the business to account for delivery of defined agreed project scope, objectives, budget, project actions and synergy delivery across the Program.
  • Establishes, obtains approval for, executes, and continually improves a standardised Program Playbook ensuring a defined, structured approach to project delivery across the Program.
  • Leads initial discovery sessions to produce a defined, cross functionally agreed Program Playbook per project.
  • Collaborates with Manager - Performance & Analysis to determine, measure, monitor, report on and oversee delivery of individual and consolidated budgets (including financial KPIs (savings, costs) and non-financial KPIs) across the Program.
  • Develop robust criteria and budget to facilitate Proof of Concept analysis for project for approval.
  • Oversees the execution of Program Playbook and ensures all risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies are known, agreed and monitored and critical milestones are completed fully and on time across the Program.
  • Creates and nurtures professional relationships in IT to ensure delivery across the Program of:
  • IT infrastructure requirements are in place in a timely manner, aligned to the Playbook.
  • Business Applications are in place a timely manner, aligned to the Playbook.
  • Identifies and recommends re-alignment of projects within Program, to assure timely delivery of stated benefits are met where necessary.
  • Collaborate with the Manager - Performance & Analysis to
  • Ensure that the approved Proof of Concept is reflected in the Program Playbook, project objectives and deliverables.
  • Establish robust Project Governance Model to facilitate collaboration with project each workstream owners to drive accountability for agreed budgets, hold workstream leads responsible for delivering against budget across the Program.
  • Agree ownership, track, monitor and evidence budget delivery including synergies (savings) and dis-synergies (cost) across the Program.
  • Responsible for analysing and determining the resourcing requirements for each project within the Program, involving a comprehensive consolidated understanding of project objectives, timelines, connectivity and deliverables.
  • Ensure project managers and stakeholders clearly define and agree the scope and objectives of each Program project.
  • Ensure specific project objectives and deliverables align type, skills and volume of resources (internal and external) needed and challenge where necessary.
  • Responsible for overseeing the performance of all resources deployed to Program, including establishing KPIs, monitoring the performance and reporting results and feedback to Manager – Performance and Analysis.
  • Address conflicts or challenges related to resource allocation and performance promptly and diplomatically. Consistently creating a positive and collaborative team environment.
  • Regularly assess and report on resource performance against project goals and budget.
  • Foster open communication channels between Program project teams to ensure shared resource priority, needs and availability is known, measured, and mitigated for.
  • Design, implement and execute a Program Communication Plan to ensure information is disseminated efficiently, stakeholders are well-informed, and team members are engaged throughout the Program lifecycle.
  • Ensure an appropriate, standardised, commensurate Project Governance Model is in place to oversee, report and escalate matters arising across the Program.
  • Communicate set and manage realistic expectations regarding Program deliverables, timelines, and potential challenges at project commencement.
  • Communicate clear, timely, appropriate information to all stakeholders on Program objectives, connectivity, progress, deliverables, achievements, and challenges.
  • Establish a feedback loop to gather input from stakeholders and team members to foster a culture of continual improvement.
  • Ensure Program Communication Plan is enshrined in regular communications, meetings, and collaboration platforms.
  • Provide high-level prompt updates, escalations, and periodic structured reporting to the Head of Strategic Transformation.
  • Foster a culture of creativity and innovation within the Program project teams, and across peers in Transformation Office.
  • Facilitate brainstorming sessions and workshops to generate innovative ideas, including facilitating an environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and explored.
  • Drive cross functional collaboration to bring diverse expertise to problem-solving, breaking down silos to promote a holistic approach to Transformation.
  • Lead diversity embracement, creating an environment where diverse teams can give a broader range of perspectives, ideas, opinions, and are all treated equally.

FAQs

What qualifications are required for the Program Director – Strategic Transformation position?

A Bachelor's or Master's Degree in a relevant field such as Project Management, Business Administration, or Information Technology is required. Additionally, a project management professional qualification like PRINCE2 or IPMA certification is preferred.

What is the minimum experience required for this role?

A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in Project Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related discipline in the financial sector is required, with a proven path of advancement. Experience in the funds industry is preferred.

What type of projects will the Program Director be managing?

The Program Director will manage strategic transformation initiatives, including pre and post-merger integrations, global system implementations, and the execution of target operating models.

Are there opportunities for professional development in this role?

Yes, Waystone offers a broad spectrum of professional development opportunities to help employees reach their full potential and drive business results.

Will the Program Director work with other departments within the company?

Yes, the Program Director will work collaboratively with different Waystone functions, departments, and senior management to deliver strategic projects.

What skills are essential for success in this position?

Essential skills include strong project management, interpersonal and communication skills, budget management, lateral thinking, and the ability to foster cross-functional collaboration.

Is prior experience in merger integrations necessary for this role?

While it is preferred, having experience specifically in pre/post merger integration programs is beneficial but not explicitly required.

What tools or methodologies will be used for project delivery?

The Program Director will establish and utilize a standardized Program Playbook to ensure a structured approach to project delivery.

Are leaders expected to manage teams?

Yes, the Program Director will be responsible for overseeing project teams and resource performance, as well as addressing conflicts related to resource allocation.

What is the primary reporting structure for this role?

The Program Director will report to the Head of Strategic Transformation and will provide high-level updates and reports on program objectives and milestones.

Providing certainty in your world

Finance
Industry
1001-5000
Employees
2000
Founded Year

Mission & Purpose

Waystone is a leading global provider of institutional governance, administration, risk and compliance services to the asset management industry. Partnering with institutional investors, investment funds and asset managers, Waystone builds, supports and protects investment structures and strategies worldwide. With over 20 years’ experience and a comprehensive range of specialist services to its name, Waystone provides its clients with the guidance and tools to allow them to focus on managing their investment goals with confidence.