Program Lead

Title: Program Lead Role 
Location: NYC
Working Model: 5 days onsite

We are seeking an accomplished Program Manager with extensive experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Transformation, Change Management, Agile Program Delivery, and Banking/Financial Services. The ideal candidate will lead strategic initiatives that modernize business processes, accelerate AI adoption, enhance operational efficiency, and drive enterprise-wide transformation across banking, capital markets, wealth management, risk, compliance, and corporate functions.

Key Responsibilities

AI & Digital Transformation

• Lead enterprise AI, Generative AI, Intelligent Automation, and Data Transformation programs.
• Define AI adoption roadmaps aligned with business and technology strategies.
• Identify and prioritize AI use cases across front-office, middle-office, and back-office functions.
• Drive implementation of AI-powered solutions for operational efficiency, customer experience, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Partner with Data Science, Engineering, Cloud, Architecture, and Product teams to operationalize AI solutions.

Banking & Financial Services Program Delivery

• Manage large-scale transformation programs within Banking, Capital Markets, Investment Banking, Asset & Wealth Management, Treasury, Risk, and Compliance domains.
• Lead regulatory, operational, and technology initiatives supporting business growth and governance requirements.
• Drive modernization of legacy platforms, cloud transformation, workflow automation, and digital banking solutions.
• Collaborate with business leaders, operations teams, technology stakeholders, and external vendors to ensure successful program execution.
• Ensure alignment with regulatory and compliance requirements including SOX, GDPR, AML, KYC, Basel III, CCAR, and internal governance standards.

Program & Portfolio Management

• Manage multi-million-dollar portfolios and cross-functional programs from initiation through closure.
• Establish governance frameworks, steering committees, program controls, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms.
• Track scope, budget, schedule, risks, dependencies, and benefits realization.
• Present executive-level updates to leadership and business stakeholders.
• Ensure delivery against strategic objectives, timelines, and financial targets.

Change Management & Business Adoption

• Lead enterprise change management initiatives accompanying AI and technology transformations.
• Conduct organizational impact assessments and stakeholder analysis.
• Develop communication, training, and adoption strategies.
• Drive business readiness and user adoption across global teams.
• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement.

Agile Delivery Leadership

• Lead Agile transformation initiatives utilizing Scrum, SAFe, Kanban, and Lean principles.
• Facilitate Program Increment (PI) Planning, release planning, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
• Establish Agile governance and performance metrics.
• Coach project teams and stakeholders on Agile best practices and delivery excellence.
• Drive continuous improvement and predictability across delivery organizations.

 Criteria:

• Should be available onsite for 5 days/week
• Candidates with very short notice periods (relocating to the work location) will be prioritized.