Senior Program Manager

Scotiabank; Toronto; On-site; CAD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Scotiabank is seeking a Senior Program Manager within Strategy Planning & Execution in Toronto, Ontario. This role drives large-scale transformation initiatives, translating business strategy into executable roadmaps and governance structures.

You will advise executive sponsors, manage enterprise risks, dependencies, and priorities, and shape delivery strategy across multiple business units. You will coach Program Managers, contribute to capability building, and align delivery with risk and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in program management with large-scale initiatives.
• Experience influencing senior executives and sponsors across functions.
• Ability to manage enterprise-wide risks, dependencies, and competing priorities.
• Strong governance, reporting, and decision-making capabilities.
• Experience leading multiple programs simultaneously with conflicting priorities.
• Knowledge of financial sector regulations is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Champion client-focused culture to deepen relationships and leverage bank-wide knowledge.
• Define and govern program objectives, scope, and success metrics aligned with strategy.
• Engage stakeholders across functions to drive consensus on priorities, funding, scope, and sequencing.
• Lead delivery of enterprise-wide transformation initiatives spanning multiple units and priorities.
• Anticipate risks and issues, develop mitigation strategies, and drive resolutions.
• Provide executive-ready updates and change management leadership to programs.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Management

MBA

Job description

Join a purpose driven winning team, committed to results, in an inclusive and high-performing culture.

The Senior Program Manager, Program Management, Strategy Planning & Execution is a senior transformation leader responsible for driving the Bank's largest, most complex and strategically significant change initiatives. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy and is accountable for translating business strategy into executable transformation roadmaps, governance structures, and delivery approaches.

As a trusted advisor to executive sponsors and senior leaders, the Senior Program Manager influences strategic decisions, facilitates alignment across multiple business units, and proactively manages enterprise-wide risks, dependencies, and competing priorities. The role is expected to navigate ambiguity, shape delivery strategy, and resolve complex challenges to ensure transformational outcomes are achieved.

In addition to leading program execution, the Senior Program Manager contributes to the advancement of Strategy Planning & Execution by providing guidance, coaching, and thought leadership to Program Managers and project teams, helping strengthen program management capability across Canadian Banking.

The Senior Program Manager oversees a broad portfolio of initiatives that may span multiple functions, business lines or strategic objectives.

Is this role right for you? In this role you will:

• Champions a client focused culture to deepen client relationships and leverage broader Bank relationships, systems and knowledge.
• Strategic Leadership & Governance; Manage program objectives, scope, and success metrics aligned with organizational strategy. Follow governance frameworks, support steering committees, and decision-making protocols. Provide executive-level reporting on program health, risks and issues.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management: Influence and align senior executives, sponsors, and business leaders across multiple functions to drive consensus on priorities, funding, scope, sequencing, and delivery outcomes. Resolve complex stakeholder conflicts and navigate competing interests to maintain program momentum.
• Planning & Delivery: Lead the delivery of enterprise-wide transformation initiatives spanning multiple business units, functions, and strategic priorities. Establish integrated delivery roadmaps, manage complex interdependencies, and ensure execution remains aligned to enterprise objectives while balancing cost, risk, and business value.
• Risks & Issue Management: Anticipate emerging risks, organizational impacts, and systemic delivery constraints before they materialize. Develop mitigation strategies, facilitate executive decisions, and drive resolution of high-impact issues that could affect strategic outcomes, customer experience, financial performance, or regulatory commitments.
• Communication & Change Management; Deliver concise, executive-ready updates and presentations focused on insights and decisions. Champion change initiatives/management, ensuring stakeholder buy-in and adoption of new processes.
• Leadership & Capability Building: Serve as a recognized leader within Strategy Planning & Execution by promoting delivery excellence, sharing best practices, and providing coaching and guidance to Program Managers and project teams. Contribute to the continuous improvement of program delivery methodologies, governance practices, reporting standards, and transformation operating models.
• Understand how the Bank’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions.
• Actively pursue effective and efficient operations of their respective areas in accordance with Scotiabank’s Values, its Code of Conduct and the Global Sales Principles, while ensuring the adequacy, adherence to and effectiveness of day-to-day business controls to meet obligations with respect to operational, compliance, AML/ATF/sanctions and conduct risk.
• Champion a high performance environment and contributes to an inclusive work environment.

Dimensions

• Number of employees / span of control – none
• Countries / regions / business units supported – focus on Canadian Banking
• Financial dimensions (e.g., capital budget, annual project cost, operating budget, etc.) - budgets between $5-$15 MM
• Number of programs/portfolio/ Number of systems – varies
• Regulatory bodies and special requirements – familiarity with Canadian Banking regulatory bodies

Do you have the skills that will enable you to succeed in this role? We’d love to work with you if you have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, or related field; MBA preferred
• 7 years of experience in program management, valued at over $5MM
• Certifications such as PMP, PgMP, or MSP are highly desirable
• Expert knowledge in the financial sector, banking regulations and related regulatory requirements
• Ability to lead multiple programs at the same time, weighing often conflicting priorities, and delivering results
• Influence to ensure priority change initiatives are understood, obtaining Executive and stakeholder buy-in
• Strong communication skills with sound interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to resolve escalated issues effectively to reduce business impact
• Excellent organization skills and effective coaching skills to foster development of others

Working Conditions

• Primary location will be in Toronto. Limited travel domestically.

Location(s): Canada : Ontario : Toronto

Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets.

At Scotiabank, we value the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the Bank, and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternate format documents, ASL Interpreter, or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our Recruitment team know.