Program Manager I – Enterprise Operations Enablement (Hybrid in Buffalo, NY)

Work Arrangement/Location: This is a hybrid position based at the M&T Center office in downtown Buffalo, NY and requires in-office work four days every week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, plus one additional day) with one day/week of remote work per week allowed.

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Overview:

This position resides within the Project Services team of Enterprise Operations Enablement (EOE), which is part of Enterprise Operations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading complex strategic programs and initiatives that support Enterprise Operations and its business partners. The role requires strong program governance, executive communication, stakeholder management, and delivery leadership capabilities. The individual will partner closely with business leaders, technology partners, risk, compliance, audit, and operational teams to ensure successful delivery of business outcomes.

Manages assigned staff (on a direct and indirect basis) on multiple related projects and ongoing operations directed towards a common objective and affecting three or more businesses or functional areas.

Manages changes to project scope, schedule and costs using appropriate verification techniques to keep the project plan accurate, updated, reflective of authorized project changes as defined in the change management plan, and facilitate customer acceptance.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Manage multiple related projects and ongoing operations impacting three or more businesses or functions.   Ensure familiarity with scope and project objectives and establish clear roles and responsibilities for project team members.  Work with constituent project managers to monitor cost, schedule and technical performance.
- Develop Project Plan, forecast and schedule.  Work with stakeholders to record detailed project requirements, constraints and assumptions to establish project deliverables, using requirement-gathering techniques (e.g. planning sessions, brainstorming, focus groups) and the project charter.
- Ensure plans for assigned projects include work breakdown, project organization chart, cost/budget and communication, risk, quality and resource plans.
- Ensure execution of tasks defined in the project plan to achieve the project goals.  Execute all parts of the project plan and manage the budget/forecast.  Monitor and control project work including change controls.
- Measure project performance utilizing appropriate tools and techniques to monitor progress; identify and quantify variances, complete any required corrective actions, and communicate to all stakeholders.  Address program issues by identifying and selecting a course of action by taking into account program constraints and objectives to enable continued program success.
- Implement approved actions and workarounds required to mitigate project risk events.
- Improve project team performance by building team cohesiveness, leading, mentoring, training and motivating to facilitate cooperation, ensure project efficiency and boost morale.  Determine and coordinate sharing of resources among constituent projects for overall program benefit.
- Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite.  Design, implement, maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis.  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.
- Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.

Scope of Responsibilities:

- Responsible for coordinated management of multiple related projects and ongoing operations impacting three or more businesses or functions; responsibility for the projects includes all aspects from initiation to close.
- Must be familiar with system scope and project objectives, as well as the role and responsibility of each team member, to effectively coordinate team activities.
- Project Guidelines:
- Project Scope:     $5.0 m or more
- Team Size Range:    30 - 50 FTE
- Project Duration:    18 - 24 months
- Project Size:   Multiple high priority projects
- Project Customer:   Three or more lines of business or functions
- Scope of Change:  Minor changes to business processes or procedures
- Project Timeline:  Moderately aggressive
- Project Innovation:  Moderately defined scope
- Project Benefits:  Major
- Project Customization:   Major
- Number of Interfaces:   6 or more
- Project Integration:  Internal and External Systems

Supervisory/ Managerial Responsibilities:

Typically manages a team ranging from 5 - 15 directly and indirectly and 50 - 100 on a project team basis.

Education and Experience Required:

- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 8 years’ proven project management experience, OR in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 12 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 8 years’ proven project management experience.
- Proficiency with personal computers as well as pertinent software packages.
- Strong knowledge of project management methodology.
- Knowledge of Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid delivery methodologies.
- Experience leading complex cross-functional programs consisting of multiple projects and workstreams.
- Experience establishing program governance, executive reporting, and steering committee processes.
- Demonstrated ability to manage program-level risks, dependencies, resource constraints, and competing priorities.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across business, operations, technology, risk, compliance, and executive leadership teams.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, particularly an ability to negotiate, influence and gain consensus.
- Regularly communicates verbally and in writing with executive management on status of initiatives, in a professional and understandable manner.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work individually as well as a member of a team.
- Self-motivated, results-driven and well-organized individual.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and work under time constraints in support of various assignments.
- Ability to function professionally at many different levels (clients, management and peers).
- Strong interpersonal skills necessary for business partner relationships within and outside the organization.
- Ability to build mutual trust and encourage respect; open to diverse points of view.

Education and Experience Preferred:

- Financial services, banking operations, or enterprise operations experience.
- Experience supporting large-scale operational, regulatory, or transformational initiatives.
- Experience with portfolio management, capacity planning, and business readiness activities.
- PMP certification strongly preferred; PgMP, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, or Change Management certifications would be considered a plus.
- Master's degree

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $107,500.00 - $179,100.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

# Location
Buffalo, New York, United States of America