Associate Director/Program Manager, Technology Portfolio (Contract)

Kinvie; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive bonus

RRSP match

Benefits

Employee Share Purchase Plan

Parental leave top-up

Generous vacation & personal days

Professional development

Hybrid work & in-office Toronto

Job summary

EQ Bank in Toronto seeks an Associate Director/Program Manager to initiate and deliver strategic programs within the Technology Portfolio. You will shape the program structure and governance to realize value for the Bank, following EQ Bank’s methodologies under Infrastructure & Operations leadership.

You will lead cross-functional teams, manage multi-stream schedules, coordinate with executives, and drive on-time, on-budget outcomes while mitigating risk and ensuring Definition of Done across

Qualifications

• 10+ years program management experience in Canadian financial services.
• Extensive delivery experience with waterfall and agile methodologies.
• Experience in Infrastructure & Operations and cybersecurity programs.
• Fundamental understanding of networking, cloud computing, and information security.

Responsibilities

• Provide program management leadership for large, cross-departmental initiatives.
• Define program scope, objectives, and governance with sponsors and stakeholders.
• Plan and lead sessions to structure delivery into multiple work streams and an integrated schedule.
• Measure and manage the program schedule, dependencies, and major milestones.
• Ensure deliverables meet the Definition of Done with approvals and acceptance.
• Establish governance, planning, and control aligned to the Bank’s methodology.
• Prepare status updates for sponsors and executive committees.
• Coordinate Steering Committee meetings and stakeholder governance.
• Consolidate vendor/supplier work streams, dependencies, and costs.
• Manage RAID (Risks, Actions, Issues, Decisions) and program finances.

Skills

Program management

Waterfall & Agile

Vendor management

Stakeholder communication

Cross-functional leadership

Risk management

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Join a Challenger

At EQ, we're remaking banking so every Canadian gets ahead, every day. Serving nearly 4 million Canadians from coast to coast, we offer a wide variety of financial services from banking and lending, to trust and credit union solutions. We've been at this since 1970, challenging the conventions of traditional banking with smarter, faster, and more connected financial experiences. The people behind it all: challengers who ask better questions, push back on old assumptions, and look for a better way forward. If you're driven to help reshape how banking works for Canadians and the businesses that power our economy, this could be your next big opportunity. We can’t wait to get to know you!

The Work

The Associate Director/Program Manager will be responsible for initiating and delivering strategic Program(s) for the Bank in support of the Technology Portfolio. The Program Manager will be responsible for developing the Program organizational structure and governance processes along with the approaches and strategies that will deliver the Program’s goals and objectives while driving value realization for the Bank. The Program Manager will follow Equitable Bank’s delivery methodology, policies, procedures, and practices under the direction of Infrastructure & Operations Leadership team. The scope, timelines and deliverables of the Program will be directed by the dedicated Program Leaders and Program Sponsor.

The Core Responsibilities

• Provide program management leadership and expertise of large scale, highly complex, high profile and high-risk initiatives that may be cross-departmental and/or enterprise wide.
• In collaboration with the Sponsor, Product Owner, Technology Delivery Lead, and additional Stakeholders, define Program scope, objectives, approach and deliverables that support the goals and objectives of the Program.
• Plan and lead working sessions to structure program delivery into multiple work streams, identify dependencies, and align delivery through an overarching, integrated program schedule.
• Measure, control and actively manage the integrated Program schedule, including multiple project streams, teams, project plans, and major dependencies.
• Ensure completion of deliverables to Definition-of-Done, including respective approvals and acceptance.
• Define clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for project stream leaders and other Program resources.
• Establish effective governance, planning and control processes for the Program and project streams, aligned to the Bank’s Delivery Methodology.
• Prepare Program status updates to Project Sponsor, Steering Committee and other executive oversight bodies.
• Plan and facilitate Steering Committee meetings with leads.
• Facilitate meetings with Program stakeholders as part of working team governance.
• Consolidate and manage vendor/supplier work streams, dependencies, fees, and methodologies.
• Manage Project, Program and Executive decisions and Change Requests.
• Manage Program Risks, Actions, Issues, Decisions (RAID).
• Manage, track and report on Program finances including tracking benefits and value realization.
• Develop and manage a Program communication plan.
• Coordinate and provide guidance to project streams and teams.
• Support Change Management and Readiness with stakeholders across the Bank.

Let's Talk About You

• At least 10 years’ program and senior project management and delivery experience in Canadian Financial Services.
• Expert knowledge and experience of a wide variety of delivery methodologies with extensive background in waterfall and agile at a minimum.
• Significant relevant experience working on programs in Infrastructure & Operations as well as Cyber security.
• Must have fundamental understanding of concepts in networking, cloud computing, and Information Security.
• Experience working with and managing external vendors and suppliers for large, strategic programs.
• Demonstrated experience working with senior decision makers – Vice President (CEO level would be an asset).
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with ability to lead/influence others to achieve goals.
• Ability to organize and coordinate senior resources with cross-functional skillsets as a holistic group with close collaboration and cooperation.
• Highly collaborative, with strong consulting skills and the drive to solve multifaceted problems with minimal supervision.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills with the ability to respond in a clear, concise and professional manner.
• Change Management experience at a Project and Program level.
• Additional desirable skills include:
• Experience and understanding of regulations and operational support for Canadian Retail Banking Products and Services.
• Expertise with the Atlassian Suite (JIRA + Confluence).

What we offer (For full-time permanent roles)

• Competitive discretionary bonus
• Market leading RRSP match program
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits
• Employee Share Purchase Plan
• Maternity/Parental top-up while you care for your little one
• Generous vacation policy and personal days
• Virtual events to connect with your fellow colleagues
• Professional development and comprehensive Career Development program
• A fulfilling opportunity to join one of the top FinTechs and help create a new kind of banking experience

The incumbent will be working hybrid and in office time will be spent working from EQ Bank’s additional office space located at 2200-25 Ontario Street , Toronto , ON.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

EQ is committed to building an inclusive, accessible environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported. We believe our organization is stronger – and our people thrive – when we honour and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives. We’re equally committed to supporting your growth, both professionally and personally.

We provide a barrier‑free recruitment process and work environment. If you require accommodations at any stage, we will work with you to ensure you can bring your best self to the process and beyond.

As part of our recruitment process, EQ uses AI to help screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position. All AI-enabled outputs are reviewed and validated by our talent team. All candidates considered for hire must successfully complete a criminal background check and credit check. While we appreciate every application, an EQ recruiter will contact only those whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the role.

EQB Inc. (TSX: EQB) is the parent company of Equitable Bank, the country's seventh‑largest Schedule I bank by assets, which operates EQ Bank, Canada's Challenger Bank. EQB Inc. serves nearly 4 million Canadians and manages approximately 150 billion in combined assets under management and administration.

To learn more, visit eqb.investorroom.com and eqbank.ca.