Director, Strategic Initiatives

The Director, EFS Strategic Initiatives role is a critical position supporting the Enterprise and Financial Solutions (EFS) department. This role is responsible for managing a portfolio of large-scale departmental projects and initiatives and is accountable for the tracking and progress reporting to the Chief of Staff and the EFS Executive Leadership Team, leading ultimately to the successful conclusion of the projects and initiatives under their supervision. In addition, the Director assists the Chief of Staff in establishing the overall strategic priorities of the Department.

Essential Job Functions:

• Leads strategic, cross-program projects and initiatives that seek to advance the operations of the Department in support of FINRA’s strategic goals.  This includes: a) providing thought leadership; b) ensuring cross-program efforts are aligned with the strategic vision and broader goals of EFS; and c) holding the Strategic Initiatives team accountable for timely and quality project management work.
• Oversees the execution of projects and initiatives under the Strategic Initiatives portfolio (including scope, resources required, timeliness and project dependencies), ensures progress is being made on the projects and initiatives under the portfolio, and problem solves or escalates issues to the Chief of Staff when necessary.
• Manages a cross-functional team responsible for the day-to-day management of projects and initiatives and serves as an escalation point on projects and initiatives when issues or problems arise.
• Works with the functional leaders in EFS to assign appropriate resources to large-scale departmental projects and initiatives. Liases with department leaders on matters,  projects and initiatives related to EFS goals and objectives.
• Acts as a “behind-the-scenes” utility for the Chief of Staff, performing delegated tasks, and is trusted and able to act and effectively communicate on their behalf in a variety of circumstances.
• Seeks to enhance collaboration by bringing the right stakeholders together to unblock hurdles and drive decision-making to support realizing EFS and FINRA strategic goals. Areas of engagement include strategic partnership, challenging the status quo, and escalating risks and challenges. 
• Partners with key stakeholders outside of EFS, including Technology, People Solutions, etc. to ensure strategic alignment and effective collaboration as One FINRA. Lead a cultural shift from reactionary execution to strategic and visionary planning of key initiatives. Partners with teams across Strategic Operations to deliver on strategic projects, advising and guiding work within team to ensure high quality, on time delivery.
• Leads special projects autonomously and through partnership with cross functional teams. Identifies and evaluates emerging technologies, developing strategic plans, and ensuring successful implementation and integration of technology initiatives across the organization.
• Lead the development of strategies and recommendations to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate risks. Implement performance metrics and KPIs to measure the effectiveness of operational initiatives.
• Advise and assist with the creation of strategic initiative roadmaps that include key milestones and deliverables.
• Understand, triage, and address a wide range of complex, and often novel matters. Contribute knowledge to background analysis and recommendations for resolution.
• Provide guidance and support to leaders on matters of significance, frequently sensitive or confidential in nature to include:
• Strategic and operational goal development and support.
• Executive and operational metrics/reporting.
• Operational efficiency.
• Digital enablement.
• Non-project/initiative related items as assigned.
• Create communications and materials for executive/senior management and board.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Strategic Management or related field and a minimum of 8 years of experience in Project Management, Process Management, Agile Delivery, or Management Consulting or related field, or combination of education and experience required.  Masters Degree or MBA preferred.
• Experience managing diverse operational functions, including staffing, budgeting and executing high-level meetings/events preferred.
• Direct experience working with senior stakeholders across different business functions.
• Direct experience writing communications and presentations for leadership and non-leadership audiences.
• Direct experience in driving organizational change and operational excellence.
• Technical background in IT development or support preferred.

Skills Req