Senior IT Project Manager Lead

Charles Schwab; California (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles Schwab seeks a Senior IT Project Manager Lead to provide leadership for large-scale, cross-enterprise programs supporting modernization and transformation initiatives. You will navigate ambiguity, align stakeholders, and drive governance across a matrixed enterprise to deliver measurable value.

You will mentor teams, promote Agile delivery, and partner with senior executives to ensure successful execution of strategic initiatives critical to Schwab's modernization agenda.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project management experience in financial services.
• Experience leading large, cross-enterprise initiatives with business and technology impact.
• Proven ability to apply leadership to align stakeholders and drive decisions in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for large-scale, high-visibility cross-enterprise programs and projects.
• Navigate ambiguity, influence across multiple teams, and organize large bodies of work.
• Establish governance, manage dependencies, and drive alignment with senior executives.
• Communicate effectively with executive leaders, business partners, and technical teams.
• Mentor team members and promote best practices in project, portfolio, and organizational change leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Agile

Communication

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Governance

Education

Bachelor's degree or related work experience

Job description

Your Opportunity

At Schwab, you're empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us challenge the status quo and transform the finance industry together.

We believe in the importance of in-office collaboration and fully intend for the selected candidate for this role to work on site in the specified location(s).

The Schwab Technology Services (STS) Portfolio & Project Management organization partners with business and technology leaders to prioritize and deliver strategic initiatives that drive meaningful outcomes across the enterprise.

As a Senior IT Project Manager Lead, you will provide leadership for large-scale, high-visibility cross-enterprise programs and projects that support business transformation, technology enablement, and operational excellence. This role is being hired primarily to support a major integration initiative, a critical modernization effort and key dependency for Schwab's broader broker-dealer modernization strategy.

We are seeking a senior-level IT Project Manager who can immediately step into a complex, highly visible modernization initiative and provide leadership, structure, and execution oversight. More than a traditional project manager, you will navigate ambiguity, influence across multiple teams, organize large bodies of work, and drive alignment within a challenging enterprise environment. Success requires the ability to bring clarity to complex initiatives, establish governance, manage competing priorities, and effectively engage stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

In this role, you will work across a highly matrixed environment to bring together business stakeholders, technology teams, product leaders, and senior executives to align priorities, manage dependencies, and deliver measurable value. You will influence decision-making, drive planning and execution across multiple workstreams, identify and mitigate risks, and provide visibility into progress and outcomes.

Success in this role requires exceptional project and program leadership, strong executive communication skills, the ability to navigate uncertainty, and a passion for solving complex business challenges. You will help cultivate a culture of transparency, collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and Agile delivery while mentoring team members and promoting best practices in project, portfolio, and organizational change leadership. Through your work, you will directly impact Schwab's ability to execute strategic initiatives, accelerate modernization efforts, optimize technology investments, and deliver innovative solutions that support our clients and business partners.

What you have

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of project management experience, preferably within financial services.
• 10+ years of experience leading large, cross-functional, enterprise-wide initiatives with significant business and technology impact.
• Demonstrated expertise in Project Management to successfully deliver complex, cross-enterprise programs while balancing scope, schedule, cost, and quality objectives.
• Proven ability to apply Leadership and Influencing Others skills to align stakeholders, drive decisions, and achieve business outcomes within a matrixed, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Agile Fundamentals, Agile delivery practices, Scrum methodologies, and hybrid project delivery approaches.
• Strong Communication skills with the ability to translate complex concepts into concise messages tailored to executive leaders, business partners, and technical teams.
• Experience identifying, assessing, and addressing project risks, issues, and interdependencies through effective Risk Management practices.
• Proven ability to apply Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving skills to make sound decisions in complex and ambiguous environments.
• Experience leading multiple concurrent workstreams and driving strategic execution across organizations.
• Bachelor's degree or related work experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience within the financial services industry.
• PMP, PMI-ACP, CAPM, or related project management certification.
• Demonstrated success building executive-level partnerships and influencing leaders at the VP level and above.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, and developing team members.
• Strong Process Improvement capabilities with a track record of improving organizational effectiveness and delivery outcomes.
• Experience supporting portfolio management, strategic planning, and technology investment prioritization.
• Advanced understanding of software development lifecycle practices and technology delivery organizations.
• Experience facilitating cross-functional planning, dependency management, and large-scale transformation initiatives.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without employer sponsorship.

In addition to the salary range, this role is eligible for bonus or incentive opportunities.