Program Manager - Cash & Payments Transformation (Agile & Program Governance)

Key Skills: Program Management, Cash Management, Payments (Domestic/Cross-border), Agile Delivery, Senior Stakeholder Management, Azure DevOps (ADO), SteerCo/ExCo Leadership

Years of Experience: 12+ Years (5+ in Program/Portfolio Management)

Location: Bangalore / Chennai

Industry Type: Banking / Financial Services / Payments Technology

Job Summary

We are seeking a seasoned Program Manager with 12+ years of total experience, including a minimum of 5+ years in Program/Portfolio Management, specializing in the Cash Management and Payments domain. This pivotal leadership role will drive large-scale, complex transformation initiatives within Banking operations. The ideal candidate must possess proven end-to-end delivery experience in Agile programs, mandatory hands-on expertise with Azure DevOps (ADO), and demonstrated ability to chair executive-level SteerCo and ExCo meetings to ensure transparent governance and decision-making.

Job Description:

Program Leadership and Strategic Alignment:

- Lead and manage complex, high-impact transformation programs specifically within the Cash & Payments business area, utilizing strong domain expertise (domestic and cross-border payments).

- Drive end-to-end delivery of initiatives within a strict Agile environment, ensuring rigorous control over quality, scope, timelines, and budget adherence.

- Ensure strict alignment of program objectives with overall organizational strategy, regulatory requirements, and future state architecture goals.

- Oversee all aspects of program planning, detailed budgeting, financial tracking, comprehensive risk management, and proactive issue resolution.

Governance, Stakeholder Management, and Reporting:

- Act as the primary engagement and influence point for senior stakeholders, including business leaders, Product Owners, technology partners, and external vendors.

- Chair SteerCo and ExCo meetings, providing executive-level reporting (CXO-level) with clear, concise communication of program progress, key risks, cross-program dependencies, and critical decisions required.

- Establish and rigorously maintain robust program governance, reporting frameworks, and communication structures tailored for an executive audience.

- Track, analyze, and report program Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), progress against milestones, and final outcomes to all executive stakeholders.

Technical Execution and Process Adoption:

- Possess hands-on working knowledge of Azure DevOps (ADO), driving its adoption for centralized backlog management, sprint planning, dashboard creation, and standardized program reporting.

- Collaborate effectively with large, cross-functional teams spanning core technology development, operations, business analysis, and product units.

- Demonstrate strong problem-solving, analytical decision-making, and proactive risk management capabilities to navigate complex banking transformation environments.

- Possess the ability to lead and inspire large, diverse cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of delivery excellence and accountability.

Required Skills & Expertise:

Experience: Mandatory 12+ years of total experience, with a minimum of 5+ years in Program/Portfolio Management.

Domain: Strong domain expertise in Cash Management and Payments (including domestic and cross-border processing).

Methodology: Proven track record of managing Agile programs end-to-end within the Banking/Financial Services sector.

Governance: Demonstrated experience in chairing SteerCo and ExCo meetings and providing CXO-level reporting.

Tooling: Hands-on working knowledge of Azure DevOps (ADO) for backlog tracking, dashboards, and program reporting.

Soft Skills: Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with proven ability to influence senior executives.

Compliance: Experience in comprehensive program governance, financial tracking, and ensuring regulatory compliance within large financial organizations.