Head of PMO

Who are we?

At Finastra, we are a dynamic global provider of open finance software solutions, dedicated to expanding access to financial services. Our innovative applications span Lending, Payments, Treasury and Capital Markets, and Universal Banking. Proudly serving over 8,000 customers, including 45 of the world's top 50 banks, we aim to boost financial inclusion for all. Join us and be part of a vibrant company that embraces diverse perspectives, and is committed to doing well by doing good.

What will you contribute?

The Head of PMO will oversee the portfolio of Essence projects within Universal Banking - managing the health of the projects and customer experience. This individual will e nsure projects and programs within the service organization align with strategic goals, follow best practices, and are executed efficiently, while directly managing project managers, service operations, and partner resources. Collaborate closely with services delivery, product, support, and service teams to ensure end-to-end alignment on Finastra and customer needs.

Responsibilities & Deliverables:

Strategic Focus :

• Establish feedback mechanisms from project teams to identify and implement improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to foster a culture of continuous improvement, optimizing project management processes.
• Analyze project data and benchmark against industry standards to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Build team capability in selecting appropriate project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) based on project requirements.
• Lead initiatives to reduce Time to Revenue (TTR), enhance customer satisfaction, and strengthen project management and governance.

Partner Collaboration :

• Work with partners and internal teams on project governance, updates, financial management, and performance according to KPIs.
• Engage in meetings with partners to discuss performance, opportunities, and mitigation plans.

People Management :

• Provide guidance, training, and coaching to project managers, influencing and motivating teams for project success.
• Direct and manage the Service Operations team to support process and reporting needs.
• Plan and implement skill development and training programs to address skill gaps within project teams.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, and performance appraisals for project managers and team members.
• Act as a project management coach and advisor for the team and senior colleagues.

Other Responsibilities :

• Adhere to Finastra policies, processes, and systems, completing mandatory trainings and complying with legal and statutory requirements.
• Participate in enterprise-wide initiatives and cascade information to the team.

Immediate Engagement Expectations :

• Assess and align the project portfolio with strategic objectives within the first two quarters.
• Establish and enforce project management methodologies, standards, and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and systems, and maintain systems for monitoring project progress.
• Manage KPIs and standardize communication to keep stakeholders informed.
• Streamline internal communication and ensure the right people are in the right roles to support organizational and individual growth.
• Adjust and establish processes and reporting needs for the Service Operations team.

Required Experience:

• 10+ years in project management, with a focus on enterprise-level projects.
• Proven track record of managing and leading project management teams, including direct and indirect reports.
• Experience in aligning projects and programs with strategic business objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to establish mechanisms for feedback, analyze project data, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Proficiency in various project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and the ability to choose the appropriate methodology based on project requirements.
• Experience working with partners and managing projects involving partner resources, including governance, financial management, and performance evaluation.
• Strong skills in guiding, training, and coaching project managers, as well as managing recruitment, onboarding, and performance appraisals.
• Knowledge of organizational policies, legal and statutory requirements, and industry standards.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels and ensure effective communication and reporting.

We are proud to offer a range of incentives to our employees worldwide. These benefits are available to everyone, regardless of grade, and reflect the values we uphold:

· Flexibility: Enjoy unlimited vacation, based on your location and business priorities. Hybrid working arrangements, and inclusive policies such as paid time off for voting, bereavement, and sick leave.

· Well-being: Access confidential one-on-one therapy through our Employee Assistance Program, unlimited personalized coaching via our coaching app, and access to our Gather Groups for emotional and mental support.

· Medical, life & disability insurance, retirement plan, lifestyle and other benefits*

· ESG: Benefit from paid time off for volunteering and donation matching.

· DEI: Participate in multiple DE&I groups for open involvement (e.g., Count Me In, Culture@Finastra, Proud@Finastra, Disabilities@Finastra, Women@Finastra).

· Career Development: Access online learning and accredited courses through our Skills & Career Navigator tool.

· Recognition : Be part of our global recognition program, Finastra Celebrates, and contribute to regular employee surveys to help shape Finastra and foster a culture where everyone is engaged and empowered to perform at their best.

• Specific benefits may vary by location.

At Finastra, each individual is unique, bringing their own ideas, thoughts, cultural beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences together. We learn from one another, embrace and celebrate our differences, and create an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

Be unique, be exceptional, and help us make a difference at Finastra!