Business Continuity Management (BCM) Project Manager

We are seeking an experienced Business Continuity Management (BCM) Project Manager to lead and deliver enterprise-wide business continuity initiatives for a large financial services client. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management expertise, business continuity and resilience experience, stakeholder management capabilities, and a proven track record of driving regulatory and audit remediation programs.

This role will oversee the planning, execution, governance, and continuous improvement of BCM programs while partnering with business leaders, technology teams, risk management groups, and executive stakeholders to ensure organizational resilience and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Program Management

• Lead end-to-end BCM projects, including planning, execution, governance, monitoring, and reporting.
• Establish project schedules, milestones, deliverables, and ownership structures to ensure successful execution.
• Monitor project performance, resource utilization, and team productivity to achieve business objectives.
• Track project risks, issues, dependencies, and mitigation strategies while maintaining compliance with organizational standards.
• Ensure timely completion of project goals, deliverables, and regulatory commitments.

Business Continuity Management

• Manage and support Business Continuity Management lifecycle activities, including:
  • Business Impact Analysis (BIA)
  • Risk Assessments
  • Continuity Plan Development
  • Testing and Exercising Programs
  • Recovery Strategy Validation
  • Crisis Management Readiness
• Support continuous enhancement of BCM frameworks, methodologies, and governance processes.
• Coordinate continuity planning efforts across business units and technology teams.

Regulatory & Audit Remediation

• Drive remediation initiatives resulting from internal audits, external audits, and regulatory assessments.
• Partner with risk, compliance, audit, and operational teams to address findings and ensure closure within defined timelines.
• Develop corrective action plans and provide regular status updates to leadership.
• Ensure adherence to industry standards, corporate policies, and resilience best practices.

Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Build and maintain strong relationships across multiple departments and senior stakeholders.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to resolve conflicts, remove roadblocks, and align priorities.
• Communicate project status, risks, decisions, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Conduct governance meetings, steering committee sessions, and executive reporting forums.

Reporting & Governance

• Prepare comprehensive executive-level reports, dashboards, and presentations.
• Deliver risk assessments, program health metrics, audit progress reports, and strategic recommendations.
• Establish governance controls to ensure alignment with organizational risk management objectives.
• Track KPIs and program maturity metrics to support resilience objectives.

Leadership & Decision Making

• Provide leadership and direction to project teams and stakeholders.
• Apply critical thinking and structured problem-solving techniques to complex business challenges.
• Support incident response activities and BCM program activations when required.
• Drive a culture of operational resilience, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Risk Management, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of project or program management experience in enterprise environments.
• 5+ years of Business Continuity Management (BCM), Operational Resilience, Disaster Recovery, or Risk Management experience.
• Strong experience managing regulatory, compliance, and audit remediation programs.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale cross-functional projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making capabilities.
• Experience working within financial services, banking, or highly regulated industries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of BCM standards and frameworks such as ISO 22301.
• Experience with BCM/GRC platforms including:
  • RSA Archer
  • ServiceNow BCM
• Familiarity with crisis management, incident response, and operational resilience programs.

• Project Management certification (PMP, PgMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent).

• Risk management, audit, or compliance certifications are an asset.

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

• Long-term/Short-term Disability

• Paid Parental Leave

Work model:

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible, and we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid requiring 3 days a week at client site in Toronto, ON, CA.

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

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.

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 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, state or local laws.