Program Director – Core Banking

We are hiring an experienced Core Banking Project Director with 15+ years of expertise in leading digital change and transformation programs with specific focus on banking process transformation and core banking system (CBS) implementations. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in collaborating with clients’ senior leadership to understand their business objectives, challenges and opportunities, excelling with effective senior stakeholder engagement (C-suite, head of functions, etc.) when delivering initiatives that drive sustainable change.

What You’ll Do

As a Core Banking Project Director, you will drive large end-to-end banking transformation programs and be responsible for leading the implementation of new core banking systems, overseeing project execution, and ensuring successful integration with existing banking technologies. To ensure the project’s success, you will be providing subject matter expertise to help transform banking operations in tandem to our clients’ adoption of core banking technology platforms. You will be managing a cross-functional team of Tech Mahindra, technology partners and client banking specialists to achieve transformational success, so the ability to manage relevant complex projects, senior stakeholders and specialists is a must. In this context, the following activities will fall under your responsibility:

• Lead and execute the vision and strategies for the banking transformation program by guiding and influencing teams towards successful outcomes.
• Manage complex programs from initiation to closure, ensuring timely delivery and quality outcomes.
• Proactively address and manage project budgets, risks, timelines, and resources effectively.
• Define and develop the project scope, plan and objectives in collaboration with senior stakeholders.
• Lead on project team meetings to provide status updates and manage issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Conduct high-level project financial analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve profitability.
• Perform rapid assessment of landscape for stakeholders and provide insights to accelerate action towards refining their current state.
• Develop roadmaps for implementing project management, organizational change management and design thinking initiatives.
• Develop and implement change management strategies to support organizational transformation initiatives.
• Drive and build upon a culture of continuous improvement by developing innovative ideas that add value to clients.
• Manage teams to ensure limited post-implementation support is provided to ensure the stable running of the new core banking system.
• Ensure the project maintain documentation and project plans to enable communication between internal teams and senior leaders.

Key Qualities for Success

• Banking-Specific Expertise: Experience in large-scale CBS implementations, with deep understanding of banking front, middle and back office processes and familiarity with core banking and associated systems, included but not limited to payments, branch banking, retail and commercial banking, finance and mortgages.
• Stakeholder Management, Communication & Reporting: Strong communication and ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders within banking environments.
• Leadership and Mentorship: Proven ability to lead and mentor Change Champions in fast-paced, high-stakes projects.
• Skills in Change Metrics and Impact Analysis: Ideal candidates will excel at defining change metrics, manage change impacts and resistance, and ensuring adoption metrics are met to demonstrate real transformation outcomes.
• Global Experience: Comfortable navigating the complexities of multicultural and cross-border banking transformation programs.
• Continuous Learner: Committed to staying current on trends in banking technology and best practices.
• Results-Oriented Mindset: Skilled at translating CBS implementation strategies into measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance or a related field, MBA or any Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: 15+ years in project management, leadership and transformation roles, with at least 10+ years focused on banking or financial services. Demonstrated success in CBS implementations or large-scale banking system rollouts.
• Certifications: PMP or Prince2 certification is desirable. Banking-specific qualifications (e.g., Certifications in CBS solutions like Finacle, Temenos, or SAP Banking) are a plus.