Senior Program Manager - Financial Services
About the Role
We're looking for a Senior Program Manager with a strong track record leading major business and technology initiatives in Financial Services, Wealth Management, Capital Markets, or Insurance. This person combines business leadership, program delivery, and technology transformation skills to run large, complex programs — managing cross-functional teams, client relationships, and modernization efforts that drive real operational impact.
What You'll Do
Lead Programs End-to-End
- Own delivery of enterprise-wide business and technology transformation programs from kickoff to close
- Build project charters, budgets, resource plans, roadmaps, and governance frameworks
- Track scope, timelines, budget, risk, dependencies, and quality throughout the program lifecycle
- Set up program management standards, controls, and reporting practices
- Deliver clear, executive-level status updates and governance reviews
Drive Business Transformation
- Work with business and technology stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities for improvement
- Turn business requirements into practical technology solutions and modernization plans
- Lead process improvement efforts focused on efficiency, automation, and risk reduction
- Guide requirements gathering, solution design, and implementation planning
- Support change management and help teams adopt new ways of working
Manage Agile Product Delivery
- Own product roadmaps, backlogs, epics, and user stories, and prioritize features
- Run Agile ceremonies — sprint planning, backlog grooming, reviews, retrospectives
- Partner with business owners, architects, analysts, and developers to ship successful products
- Keep technology execution aligned with business goals
- Ensure the team follows SDLC, Agile, and QA standards
Lead Financial Services Operations Initiatives
- Lead initiatives in corporate actions processing, equity compensation, stock plan administration, wealth management operations, and insurance services
- Manage complex events like mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, stock splits, tender offers, and the client communications that go with them
- Coordinate across operations, asset servicing, settlements, tax reporting, custodians, transfer agents, and financial advisors
- Ensure everything meets business, regulatory, and operational requirements
Manage Stakeholders and Clients
- Build strong relationships with executives, business partners, clients, and vendors
- Offer strategic guidance and consultative support where it's needed
- Run steering committee meetings and executive governance reviews
- Manage client expectations and resolve issues throughout the project lifecycle
Lead Teams
- Lead global, cross-functional teams of project managers, product owners, business analysts, and technologists
- Manage both onsite and offshore delivery teams
- Mentor team members and build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Drive workforce planning, resourcing, and performance management
What You'll Need
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field
- Master's degree preferred
- PMP, Agile/Scrum Master, SAFe, or Certified Equity Professional (CEP) certification a strong plus
Experience
- 15+ years in Financial Services, Wealth Management, Capital Markets, Insurance, or Banking
- Proven success managing large-scale business and technology transformation programs
- Track record delivering enterprise projects and operational improvements
- Strong client-facing consulting and stakeholder engagement background
- Experience managing distributed teams, including offshore
Skills We're Looking For
Program & Delivery Management
Program management, PPM, PMO governance, project planning & execution, risk and dependency management, budget management, resource planning, change management, vendor management, executive reporting, stakeholder management
Business & Functional
Business transformation, business analysis, process improvement, product management, requirements management, operational excellence, client relationship management, wealth management operations, corporate actions processing, stock plan administration, financial services operations, insurance operations
Agile & Technology
Agile methodologies, Scrum, SDLC, product backlog management, release management, Jira, SQL, DB2, Java, production support, data reconciliation, application development, systems integration, testing & QA
Nice to Have
Experience in wealth management, capital markets, equity compensation administration, corporate actions operations, asset servicing, investment banking support functions, retirement services, deferred compensation programs, life insurance, or financial technology platforms.
Salary and Other Compensation:
The base salary for this position is between $125,000 - $130,000k depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
· Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
· Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
· 401(k) plan and contributions
· Long-term/Short-term Disability
· Paid Parental Leave
· Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship now or at any time in the future.
What we offer
- The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
- Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
- The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and a pension plan with matching contributions.
- Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
- True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.
About us
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.
Other employment-related information
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.
