Overview:

Provides short and long-term strategic direction for the units and applications in line with the goals of department and  clients  supported. Assists in managing client relations and expectations, as well as business relationships and technology solutions of assigned application(s) Bank-wide. Provides guidance as Subject Matter Expert for enterprise initiatives,  complex discretionary projects, compliance/regulatory, and required contractual projects (i.e. system releases)  Serves as knowledge resource and mentor for less experienced personnel and for complex and sensitive project initiatives.  Builds team's application knowledge, consultancy on  functional specifications, testing,  research analysis, and following Combined Project Methodology.  Works with business lines in defining optimum functional approaches to achieve efficient and effective systemic solutions and ultimately  improve the Bank's Technology Portfolio and Software Development.  

Primary Responsibilities:

• Consult with client management in the analysis of short and long-range business requirements and recommend innovations that anticipate the future impact of changing business requirements. Responsible for building a positive client relationship.    
• Build rapport within the organization. Develop a professional level of communication and cooperation. Maintain relationships with vendors and professional organizations. 
• May translate requirements to assist staff in preparing detailed specifications for system enhancements. Recommend designs based on business requirements and technology requirements. Identify issues and concerns.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the business environment and needs within the area of responsibility to understand technical, business and operational impacts of a project or problem.
• Responsible for development of staff members by providing guidance and sharing knowledge.
• Manage and oversee the execution of complex project plans on assigned applications.
• Complete status reports and present projects, status or activities to senior management as required.
• Manage the client relationship with the lines of business, emphasizing project execution and production support related to their supporting applications.  Serve as a client liaison with internal and external application stakeholders to review status of initiatives, compliance/regulatory changes and contractual and/or system maintenance changes.
• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) to the team in application functionality and testing efforts of application changes, and inclusive of reviewing business requirements, functional specifications and preparing and executing testing; may assist in coordinating completion of integrated testing efforts.
• Recommend application designs based on business requirements to support internal and external customer needs.  Ensure identification and resolution of issues and concerns to proactively minimize any negative impact to owners of assigned applications, and their users, customers and clients.
• Recommend and initiate new policies and procedures which  improve performance and effectiveness of the department.
•  Recommend new technology and related policies or processes to enhance applications and ensure technical support to clients is efficient and effective to meet internal and external customer needs.  Provide functional feedback to application owners on current or proposed vendor software, including what the application does and how it supports pre-defined business needs.
• Complete status reports on system changes; present projects, status or activities to senior management to ensure the technology portfolio is efficiently and effectively supporting applications that meet Bank business needs.
• Recommend and initiate new policies and procedures that improve performance and effectiveness of the department.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the business environment and needs within the area of responsibility to understand technical, business and operational impacts of a project or problem.
• 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.

Education and Experience Required:

Combined minimum of 10 years'  higher education and/or operational/business analytic