Program Manager

Senior Program Manager – Banking Transformation

Role Overview

Senior Program Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage full lifecycle transformation programs—from strategy and planning through execution, deployment, and benefits realization (e.g. digital banking, core system migration, ERP/EPM implementations, data modernization) Lead cross-functional teams across business operations, IT, data, and change management to redesign business processes, define future state operating models, and enable value delivery
• Establish and steer program governance—including steering committees, risk & issue registries, dependencies tracking, metrics—and report program health at executive level
• Engage stakeholders across functions to drive alignment, assess feasibility, prioritize initiatives, and manage escalations effectively
• Define and measure KPIs, monitor progress, track benefits and deliver post‑implementation reviews to support continuous improvement
• Balance agile and waterfall methodologies to structure and execute transformation delivery, including Agile, SAFe, waterfall governance as needed
• Mentor and guide junior program or project managers, fostering high performance and knowledge transfer across the team

Required Skills & Experience

• 15+ years

  of total IT, program, or transformation experience, with

  10+ years

  in banking or financial services environment (retail, corporate, payments, treasury, regulatory reporting)
• Proven track record leading

  large-scale transformation programs

  (e.g. digital channels, core upgrades, data or finance transformation) with strong delivery outcomes
• Deep functional understanding of banking processes and systems (e.g. account opening, loans, wealth, finance modules) and related regulatory/compliance environment
• Strong proficiency in program governance, risk and issue management, financial acumen, dependency mapping, and benefits track
• Experience operating in hybrid delivery environments: Agile/Scrum, SAFe ceremonies, waterfall governance, release planning, retrospectives
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience addressing senior leadership, steering committees, and cross-regional teams
• PMP, Prince2, Agile, SAFe or equivalent certification preferred

Desirable Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree in Business, Finance, Technology, or related field
• Experience working within consulting firms (e.g. Big 4, top-tier strategy firms) or as in-house transformation leader for a major bank
• Regional or global delivery exposure (Middle East, Asia, EMEA, global banking)

Competencies & Behavioral Traits

• Strategic mindset with strong commercial acumen
• Demonstrated change leadership and resilience in ambiguity
• Collaborative connector across business and IT domains
• Results-oriented, problem-solving focus, with ability to drive outcome ownership
• Coaching and team‑building skills to develop program management talent

Interested candidates can share their profiles with bhakti.godbole@sphereitglobal.com