Project Manager

Athena Executive Search & Consulting (AESC); Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 130,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CFA certification is a plus

Global client engagement exposure

Job summary

Athena Executive Search & Consulting (AESC) is seeking a senior Delivery Lead to orchestrate AI, analytics, data, and cloud transformation programs for asset management clients. You will coordinate cross-functional delivery, manage governance, and align execution with business value and client outcomes.

You will work with portfolio managers, operations, technology teams, and vendors to drive results, mitigate risk, and communicate progress to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• 6-11 years of project or program management experience in complex delivery environments.
• Experience delivering AI, analytics, data, and cloud transformation projects.
• Strong ownership mindset with risk management and governance discipline.
• CFA certification or strong financial services background is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of AI, analytics, and data transformation programs, ensuring scope, timelines, governance, and business outcomes.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, risks, and dependencies across multiple workstreams with structured governance.
• Coordinate business, technology, and vendor stakeholders to translate plans into action and maintain accountability.
• Lead cloud, analytics, and data platform implementation projects aligned with business objectives and timelines.
• Prepare executive status reporting and stakeholder communications for leadership visibility.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Agile/Waterfall delivery

Financial services domain knowledge

Job description

About the Company

We are a company that helps organizations transform business performance through analytics, AI, digital operations, and domain expertise. We partner with financial institutions and asset managers to deliver innovative data, AI, and cloud solutions that improve how work gets done and how decisions are made. Our team operates at the intersection of business, technology, and client delivery, supporting complex transformation programs in regulated, high-stakes environments. We value practical execution, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to turn strategic ideas into measurable outcomes. This role sits within a team focused on decision analytics and asset management delivery, where quality, governance, and client impact matter every day. The company works with global clients and supports programs that combine business knowledge with modern analytics and technology capabilities.

Company Proof Points

• Partners with financial institutions and asset managers on data, AI, and cloud solutions. This creates direct exposure to enterprise transformation programs with measurable client impact.
• Works across business, technology, and delivery teams. This allows the role to influence outcomes across the full project lifecycle, not just one workstream.
• Supports global client engagement. This gives the role visibility into complex, multi-stakeholder programs in a high-growth services environment.

About the Role

This role owns delivery of AI, analytics, data, and cloud transformation programs for asset management clients. The focus is on turning business needs into executable plans, coordinating cross-functional delivery, and keeping projects on scope, on time, and aligned to governance expectations. You will work with portfolio managers, investment operations, technology teams, and vendors to drive clear execution across multiple workstreams. The role requires a strong blend of project leadership, financial services understanding, and hands-on delivery discipline. Success comes from managing risk early, communicating clearly with senior stakeholders, and keeping transformation programs moving toward business value and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of AI, analytics, and data transformation programs, ensuring scope, timelines, governance, and business outcomes stay aligned throughout execution.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, risks, and dependencies across multiple workstreams, using structured governance to keep delivery predictable and issues visible early.
• Coordinate business, technology, and vendor stakeholders so plans translate into action, decisions happen faster, and accountability remains clear across the program.
• Drive delivery using Agile or Waterfall methods as needed, selecting the right operating model for the project context, team structure, and client expectations.
• Partner with portfolio managers, investment operations, and technology teams to convert business needs into practical delivery plans that support asset management priorities.
• Lead cloud, analytics, and data platform implementation projects, keeping technical delivery aligned with business objectives, quality requirements, and timeline commitments.
• Support AI adoption, automation, and process improvement initiatives that reduce manual effort, improve decision support, and strengthen operational performance.
• Prepare executive status reporting and stakeholder communications that give leadership clear visibility into progress, risks, decisions, and next actions.
• Strong project and program management capability, with the discipline to manage scope, schedule, budget, risk, and governance across complex transformation initiatives.
• Deep understanding of asset management and AUM workflows, including equities, fixed income, mutual funds, ETFs, portfolio management, and investment reporting.
• Proven experience delivering AI, data, analytics, and cloud projects, with the ability to align technical execution to business priorities and client outcomes.
• Strong command of Agile and Waterfall delivery methods, and the judgment to apply the right approach based on project complexity and stakeholder needs.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including the ability to influence senior leaders, resolve cross-functional issues, and maintain trust under pressure.
• Practical knowledge of investment lifecycle concepts and financial services operating models, so delivery decisions reflect how the business actually works.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem solving, and execution discipline, with a focus on quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
• CFA certification or strong financial services background is preferred, especially where it strengthens domain understanding and client credibility.

Additional Plus

• CFA certification is a plus, especially for candidates who bring stronger domain credibility in financial services and asset management.
• Prior exposure to enterprise AI and analytics transformation programs is an advantage, particularly where the work involved complex client and technology coordination.
• Experience working with global clients or regulated environments will help candidates ramp up faster in this role.

What You'll Bring

• 6-11 years of project or program management experience, with a track record of delivering complex initiatives in a structured and accountable way.
• Confidence working across business and technology teams, with the communication skills to align stakeholders and keep execution moving.
• Experience managing transformation projects in AI, analytics, data, or cloud domains, ideally with direct client-facing delivery responsibility.
• A strong ownership mindset, with the ability to spot risks early, drive decisions, and keep delivery focused on outcomes rather than activity.

Why Join Us

Join a team that sits at the center of business transformation for asset management clients, where project leadership has a direct line to client value. You will work on programs that combine AI, analytics, data, and cloud delivery, giving you exposure to modern transformation work with real enterprise scale. The environment is suited to people who want accountability, visibility, and the chance to work with senior stakeholders across business and technology. Because the role is anchored in financial services and asset management, it offers a strong mix of domain depth and delivery breadth. You will have the opportunity to influence how strategic initiatives are planned, governed, and delivered, while building credibility in a space where execution quality matters. For someone who wants to grow through challenging work, client exposure, and cross-functional problem solving, this is a strong platform.

What We Offer

• Exposure to enterprise AI and analytics transformation programs with meaningful business impact.
• Global client engagement across complex asset management and financial services delivery environments.
• Competitive compensation and benefits, along with learning and career growth opportunities.