Associate Partner Consulting, AI Leader Banking

About Cognizant Consulting

Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant's consulting practice. We are a global community of 5,000+ experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending deep industry expertise with technology advisory capabilities, we create innovative business solutions for Fortune 500 clients. And now, we're looking for our next colleague to help shape the future of business. Could it be you?

About the Role

As an Associate Partner Consulting – AI Leader, Banking Transformation, you will make an impact by leading complex, enterprise-scale banking transformation and technology modernization programs for leading financial institutions. You will be a valued member of Cognizant's Technology Modernization Consulting practice and work collaboratively with client executives, business leaders, architects, engineering teams, delivery organizations, and consulting leaders to deliver strategic outcomes and measurable business value.

In This Role, You Will:

• Lead large-scale banking transformation programs, providing overall accountability for delivery execution, governance, financial management, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and business outcomes.
• Drive modernization initiatives across core banking platforms, lending, deposits, payments, digital channels, enterprise applications, cloud adoption, infrastructure, cybersecurity, automation, and data platforms.
• Partner with business and technology executives to develop transformation strategies, operating models, modernization roadmaps, and execution plans aligned to enterprise objectives.
• Establish and oversee governance frameworks, executive steering committees, delivery controls, performance metrics, and reporting structures that enable successful transformation outcomes.
• Build trusted executive relationships while coaching transformation leaders, delivery managers, architects, and consulting professionals across complex, multi-workstream engagements.
• Consistently demonstrate the Cognizant Way to Lead, operating with Personal Leadership, Organizational Leadership, and Business Leadership through strategic thinking, client focus, collaboration, accountability, financial discipline, and results-oriented execution.

Work Model

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this position requires up to 50% travel and a minimum of three days per week in a client or Cognizant office in Princeton, New Jersey. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you are engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured, we will always be clear about role expectations.

What You Must Have to Be Considered

• 20+ years of experience leading large-scale technology delivery, modernization, and transformation initiatives.
• Extensive Banking and Financial Services industry experience, including retail banking, commercial banking, lending, deposits, payments, wealth management, treasury services, or closely related domains.
• Proven success leading multimillion-dollar transformation portfolios, enterprise programs, and strategic modernization initiatives within highly regulated financial institutions.
• Strong expertise in executive stakeholder management, program governance, financial oversight, budgeting, forecasting, delivery controls, and risk management.
• Demonstrated experience leading geographically distributed teams across onshore, offshore, and nearshore delivery models while driving measurable business outcomes.
• Embodiment of the Cognizant Way to Lead: Leading Self, Leading Others, and Leading the Business.
• Embodiment of Cognizant's Values: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do the Right Thing, and Own It.

These Will Help You Succeed

• Deep understanding of banking technology ecosystems, operating models, regulatory environments, and enterprise transformation practices.
• Experience leading modernization programs involving cloud migration, platform rationalization, data modernization, workflow automation, operational resilience, and technology simplification.
• Executive-level communication, storytelling, negotiation, and influencing skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholder groups.
• Track record of supporting strategic advisory engagements, account growth initiatives, business development efforts, and executive consulting programs.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Industry certifications such as PMP, PgMP, SAFe, Agile, AWS, Azure, GCP, or equivalent program leadership certifications.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Compensation

The annual salary for this position is expected to be between $137,250 and $260,000, depending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors.

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.(Illustrative range should be validated with HR Compensation before posting.)

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• 401(k) plan and company contributions
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Employee assistance program
• Paid holidays and paid time off
• Paid parental leave and fertility assistance
• Learning and development programs, certifications, and career growth opportunities