The AVP of Project Management leads project initiatives and is accountable for driving the successful execution of strategic initiatives across the organization. This leadership role serves as a critical bridge between strategic planning and operational execution, ensuring projects align with broader business goals and transformation priorities. The AVP oversees a team of project leaders and is responsible for establishing effective governance frameworks, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Why Join Us?

• Strategic Impact: Lead and evolve a high-performing project delivery function that directly impacts organizational success.
• Innovation: Drive digital transformation and efficiency through structured project management.
• Growth & Development: Work with top leadership to shape the future of project execution.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in project/program management with expertise in both Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• 5+ years in a leadership role, managing project teams, budgets, and stakeholder relationships.
• Proven success in establishing and scaling a strategic project delivery or governance function within a complex organization.
• Capacity planning experience, with proven success in driving effective implementations, on budget and on-time
• Strong understanding of enterprise-level portfolio management, risk mitigation, and governance.
• Expertise in Agile frameworks (Scrum, SAFe, Kanban) and Waterfall methodologies (PMBOK, PRINCE2).
• Experience with financial services, credit unions, or regulated industries is a plus.
• Proficiency in project management tools (JIRA, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Clarity PPM, etc.).
• PMP, SAFe, PMI-ACP, or CSM certifications preferred.
• Experience directly with leading and driving Mergers and Acquisitions integrations
• Experience directly with leading and driving large scale conversions, primarily digital conversions
•  Experience with Salesforce, and related CRM systems, a plus

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Partner with executive leadership to define, prioritize, and drive the execution of the organization’s strategic initiatives.
• Develop and lead a strategic, enterprise-aligned function that enables the successful delivery of high-impact initiatives.
• Translate long-term organizational goals into actionable programs and projects.
• Ensure the function operates as a value-added partner to the business, guiding project execution based on strategic priorities.
• Define governance standards and frameworks that promote transparency, accountability, and alignment across methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid).
• Partner with executive leadership to define, prioritize, and drive the execution of the organization’s strategic initiatives.
• Monitor enterprise portfolio performance to ensure alignment with business strategy and value delivery.

2. Enterprise Portfolio & Transformation Management

• Oversee the intake, prioritization, and execution of a diverse project portfolio—including transformation, operational, and growth-focused initiatives.
• Support enterprise transformation by managing complex, cross-functional initiatives that evolve organizational capabilities and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Align resources and timelines to strategic priorities, ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget.
• Provide executive stakeholders with data-driven insights into portfolio health, capacity, risks, and interdependencies.

3. Organizational Transformation & Change Leadership

• Serve as a catalyst for change and innovation, helping the organization evolve its operating model, capabilities, and culture.
• Support leaders in navigating complex change initiatives through effective change management strategies and communication.
• Champion a transformation mindset across departments, breaking down silos and enabling agility.

4. Methodology Oversight & Delivery Optimization

• Promote a flexible, fit-for-purpose approach to project delivery, leveraging Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid models based on context and complexity.
• Guide the adoption and scaling of Agile practices beyond IT where appropriate (e.g., marketing, HR, operations).
• Ensure rigorous project execution standards regardless of methodology, focusing on outcomes, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.
• Cultivate a mindset of adaptability and learning to support a modern, transformation-ready approach to strategic execution.

5. Stakeholder Partnership & Communication

• Act as a trusted advisor to the C-suite and senior leaders, offering strategic counsel on initiative planning, prioritization, and risk mitigation.
• Facilitate steering committees and ensure alignment across business units, support functions, and external partners.
• Establish clear, consistent communication channels to keep stakeholders informed of progress, decisions, and critical milestones.
• Build strong relationships across departments to break down silos and support enterprise-wide initiatives.

6. Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build, lead, and inspire a high-performing project management team that delivers results and drives organizational transformation.
• Create career pathways, succession plans, and leadership development opportunities for project professionals.
• Encourage innovation and professional growth by promoting knowledge sharing, mentorship, and best practices.
• Model inclusive leadership and promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence.

7. Performance, Metrics & Continuous Improvement

• Define and track key performance indicators at both the function and project levels to assess health, impact, and ROI of initiatives.
• Lead retrospectives, maturity assessments, and lessons-learned sessions to inform continuous improvement.
• Implement performance dashboards and reporting tools to support real-time decision-making.
• Leverage analytics and feedback to refine delivery practices, improve predictability, and drive greater strategic impact.

Key Competencies

Strategic Thinking: Ability to align project management with business objectives.
Leadership & Influence: Proven experience leading teams and driving organizational change.
Adaptability: Strong ability to tailor methodologies based on project complexity.
Stakeholder Management: Strong communication and negotiation skills.
Results-Driven: Track record of delivering projects on time, within scope, and within budget.