Program Manager

Meridian Credit Union; St. Catharines; Hybrid; CAD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution in St. Catharines is looking for a Program Manager to lead large-scale and complex programs that drive business transformation. This role requires strong leadership, agile expertise, and a deep understanding of program management, with a focus on delivering measurable outcomes. The position offers a flexible hybrid work environment and aims to foster innovation and continuous improvement within teams.

Benefits

Inclusive and collaborative environment

Opportunity to learn from industry leaders

Hybrid work arrangement

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in program and project management.
• Expertise in managing complex, cross-functional programs.
• Experience with benefits realization, agile methodologies, and AI-enabled tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale, cross-functional programs to align with strategic priorities.
• Develop and manage integrated program plans and governance frameworks.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and ensure program success.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Agile methodologies

IT program management

Education

Post-secondary education in Business or Technology

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

Tools

Microsoft 365 suite

Power BI

Power Automate

Job description

Overview

As a Program Manager, you will join Meridian’s Enterprise Program Management Office (EPMO) and lead large-scale, complex programs that drive business transformation and agile execution, incorporating AI-enabled and digital-first capabilities. Your role will ensure delivery outcomes are data-informed, strategically aligned, and executed with speed and impact. You will embed agile methodologies, foster innovation, and drive continuous improvement, mentoring Project and Senior Project Managers to build future-ready capabilities and a culture of accountability and excellence. Meridian operates in a flexible, hybrid work environment and contributes to Meridian’s purpose-driven transformation journey.

What you will do

• Strategic Program Delivery:
• Lead large-scale, cross-functional programs spanning technical delivery, business transformation, and agile execution, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Define program scope, goals, and deliverables by collaborating with senior leadership and stakeholders to set clear objectives that align with Horizon 2 and Horizon 3 priorities.
• Develop and manage integrated program plans, timelines, and governance frameworks to ensure successful execution and measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate interdependent projects and resources to deliver enterprise value and Member-centric impact.
• Manage vendor relationships and communications, maintaining strong stakeholder engagement across the program.

• Governance, Risk & Benefits Realization:
• Lead program governance and risk management; implement governance frameworks and manage risks to ensure program success.
• Define and track benefits realization to ensure the program delivers measurable outcomes aligned with strategic objectives.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Change Leadership:
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders as a strategic advisor and ensure alignment on scope, business case development, and delivery.
• Set and manage program expectations and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to drive success.
• Support enterprise change initiatives by equipping program teams to drive adoption and sustainment of new capabilities.

• Financial Stewardship:
• Manage program-level financials, including capital and operating budgets, forecasts, and ROI.
• Draft and submit budget proposals; monitor spending and adjust to optimize value delivery.
• Participate in business planning cycles to ensure alignment with strategic funding envelopes.

• Future-Ready Delivery & Continuous Improvement:
• Champion agile methodologies and AI-enabled tools to accelerate delivery and enhance Member experience.
• Support enterprise change initiatives to ensure delivery teams are change-ready and partner with Change Management and Communications for successful rollouts.
• Build and evolve program management frameworks by integrating Project Management Lifecycle (PMLC) and Agile delivery models for scalable execution.
• Leverage digital tools, low-code/no-code platforms, predictive analytics, and digital workflows to streamline processes.
• Drive continuous improvement by fostering a culture of innovation and learning within program teams.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional programs from planning through execution.
• Expertise in managing application-centric and IT programs.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience with benefits realization, agile methodologies, and AI-enabled tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, MS Project, Visio, Copilot), low-code/no-code platforms, and data visualization tools.
• Familiarity with automation platforms (Power Automate), Power Apps, and Power BI.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills with a bias for action.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt to evolving priorities.

Education, Designations, Training, and Experience

• Post-secondary education in Business, Technology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7+ years of progressive experience in program and project management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is required.
• Agile certifications (e.g., Certified Scrum Master, SAFe Agilist) are strongly preferred.
• Change management certification (e.g., Prosci) and Lean Six Sigma are assets.
• Familiarity with benefits realization frameworks (PMI BRM, MSP, Axelos P3M3) is desirable; hands-on experience with benefits realization planning, tracking, and reporting is highly desirable.

Salary Range: CAD $115,000 – $130,000 annually. Compensation is based on skills, experience, and internal equity. Total rewards details will be shared by your recruiter during the hiring process.

Location & Hybrid Work: This role is based in St. Catharines, Ontario at 75 Corporate Park Dr, St. Catharines. Meridian maintains a remote-friendly policy with regular in-office collaboration as needed.

What’s in it for you?

• Inclusive, collaborative environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and success.
• Tools and technology to delight candidates and clients.
• Opportunity to learn from diverse industry leaders.
• Hybrid work arrangement with in-person office time for collaboration and relationship-building.
• A work culture that values effort and has fun.

Build the Future of Banking with Us

Meridian is shaping the future of finance by leveraging technology and talent for sustainable growth, community impact, and future-readiness. We value embedding technology, critical thinking, data-driven decision making, and curiosity/flexibility. We encourage learning and adaptability, including AI and emerging technologies, low/no-code tools, and generative AI productivity tools like Microsoft Copilot.

• Embedding & leveraging technology; experience with Microsoft Power Platform and Copilot is an asset.
• Critical thinking to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information to make decisions.
• Data-driven decision making to improve member experience and business efficiency.
• Curiosity and flexibility to navigate change and evolving conditions.

Our Commitment to You

Meridian is committed to an inclusive, accessible environment where all employees and customers feel valued and supported. We seek a diverse workforce and provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability. If accommodations are needed, please contact us. We will contact only those under consideration for interviews due to volume of applications. Thank you for your interest in Meridian Credit Union.

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