Senior Program Manager

isgSearch; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

isgSearch is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead large-scale transformation and migration programs in the banking sector. The role requires driving multi-workstream delivery, executive-level communications, and governance across enterprise initiatives.

You will engage CIOs, CXOs, and senior stakeholders to align business outcomes, manage risks, and ensure successful delivery in complex environments. This contract role demands strong leadership and strategic execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in a business/technology/engineering/finance or related field.
• 15+ years of program and project management experience, including 5+ years managing enterprise-scale programs.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale transformation, migration, modernization, or strategic change initiatives.
• Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale transformation, modernization, migration, or strategic change programs from initiation to implementation.
• Manage multiple workstreams with alignment across business, tech, operations, risk, compliance and vendor teams.
• Establish governance structures, delivery frameworks, and performance metrics to drive outcomes.

Skills

Executive Presence

Strategic Thinking

Program Governance

Stakeholder Management

Banking Domain Expertise

Transformation Leadership

Risk & Issue Management

Executive Communications

Financial Management

Vendor Management

Change Management

Presentation & Storytelling

Consulting & Advisory

Cross-Functional Leadership

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Technology/Engineering/Finance or related field

Job description

Contract - Senior Program Manager - Large Scale Transformation & Migration Programs

Our client is seeking a seasoned contract Senior Program Manager to lead large-scale business and technology migration initiatives within the banking and financial services sector. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience managing complex, multi-workstream programs, driving executive-level communications, and engaging directly withCIOs,CXOs, and senior business stakeholders. This individual will be responsible for ensuring successful program delivery, governance, stakeholder alignment, and business outcomes across enterprise-wide transformation and migration initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Delivery

• Lead and oversee large-scale transformation, modernization, migration, or strategic change programs from initiation through implementation.
• Manage multiple concurrent workstreams, ensuring alignment across business, technology, operations, risk, compliance, and vendor teams.
• Establish program governance structures, delivery frameworks, and performance metrics to drive successful outcomes.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, issues, dependencies, and escalations.

Executive Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary interface between program teams and executive leadership.
• Prepare and deliver high-impact presentations for CIOs, CXOs, Steering Committees, and Executive Sponsors.
• Drive executive decision-making through clear communication of program status, risks, financials, and strategic recommendations.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client and organizational stakeholders.

Communication & Reporting

• Develop executive-level status reports, dashboards, and program updates.
• Lead program communications, including steering committee materials, executive summaries, and key stakeholder communications.
• Present complex program information in a concise, business-oriented manner.
• Ensure consistent communication across all program stakeholders and workstreams.
• Provide direction to the team during uncertainty

Transformation & Migration Management

• Lead large enterprise migrations, digital transformations, cloud modernization initiatives, platform consolidations, or business process transformations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure smooth transition and adoption of new capabilities.
• Drive organizational change management and stakeholder readiness activities.

Consulting & Leadership

• Apply consulting methodologies to structure problems, develop recommendations, and drive execution.
• Facilitate workshops, executive forums, and strategic planning sessions.
• Mentor and guide project managers, workstream leads, and program team members.
• Influence without authority across complex organizational structures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Technology, Engineering, Finance, or related field.
• 15+ years of program and project management experience, including 5+ years managing enterprise-scale programs.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale transformation, migration, modernization, or strategic change initiatives.
• Strong experience within Banking, and Financial Services.
• Demonstrated success managing complex programs with multiple workstreams and interdependencies.
• Extensive experience creating and presenting materials to CIO, CTO, COO, CFO, and C-suite executives.
• Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
• Experience managing program budgets, governance processes, and vendor relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Management consulting experience with a leading consulting firm.
• PMP, PgMP, Agile, SAFe, Prosci, or equivalent certification.
• Experience with cloud migrations, core platform transformations, digital modernization, or regulatory-driven programs.
• Knowledge of banking regulatory environments and risk management frameworks.
• Experience working in global delivery models with both onshore and offshore teams.

Core Competencies

• Executive Presence
• Strategic Thinking
• Program Governance
• Stakeholder Management
• Banking Domain Expertise
• Transformation Leadership
• Risk & Issue Management
• Executive Communications
• Financial Management
• Vendor Management
• Change Management
• Presentation & Storytelling Skills
• Consulting & Advisory Skills
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Problem Solving & Decision Making

Success Profile

The successful candidate will be a highly credible and influential leader who can confidently engage with senior executives, navigate complex banking environments, manage multiple delivery teams, and drive outcomes for large-scale transformation and migration programs while maintaining exceptional communication and stakeholder alignment.

isgSearch does not use artificial intelligence throughout the hiring process.