Strategic Initiatives Lead

Works closely with senior managers within a division and the Bank to manage key initiatives, including supporting critical Division/Department cross-functional projects related to strategic objectives of the Bank, improving risk management and ensuring efficiency and sustainability of core processes and positioning the Bank to meet evolving regulatory expectations.  Leads department, division, or cross-functional teams of up to 10-20.  May directly manage staff.

• Lead efforts to define scope/approach for department initiatives. Direct and monitor resources.  May be responsible on an individual basis for directing complex, critical, and highly visible projects for the division.

• Provide analytical expertise to support initiatives that may include planning, design and analysis of results, presenting content at various governance functions, development of comprehensive content and materials, analysis of complex data sets, or analysis/optimization of data structures.

• Consider stakeholder perspectives, address objections, help develop solutions, and drive action.  Interact with senior management (internal/external) to obtain pertinent information. 

• Directly or indirectly manage staff. 

• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite.  Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.

• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.

• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.

• Complete other related duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 9 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 5 years’ relevant work experience

• Strong attention to detail

• Strong ability to lead teams

• Excellent project management skills

• Strong analytical ability

• Creative problem-solving skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills necessary for business partner relationships within and outside the organization

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to communicate professionally at many different levels

• Self-motivated

• Results-driven

• Well-organized

• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work under time constraints in support of various assignments

• Proficient with personal computers and pertinent spreadsheet, database, graphing, and presentation software

• Bachelors’ degree in Finance, Economics, Math, Accounting, Engineering, or Business Administration; Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or advanced degree

• Minimum of 6 years’ relevant work experience

• Banking/financial industry experience

• Six Sigma, Lean or Process Improvement, or project management-related education

• Experience with SQL, programming and statistical software

• Experience with financial, regulatory and/or process analysis, and technical writing

• Curious and innovative