Strategic Business Manager – Banking Services

This role serves as a strategic partner to the department head, driving the overall administrative and operational backbone of the business, enabling the leadership team to focus on strategic objectives.The position holder coordinates and manages a wide array of activities, from tracking business financials and employee headcount to managing external requests, vendor relationships and departmental communications. As a key advisor, they will also facilitate strategic planning, manage executive-level projects, and act as a primary liaison between the department head and other business units. This requires a leader who can operate with a high degree of autonomy, employing sound judgment to resolve complex issues while seamlessly managing relationships with senior partners across the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic & Executive Support:

• Act as a strategic advisor to the Head of Department, assisting with long-range planning, goal setting, and decision-making.

• Prepare for and facilitate key leadership meetings, including agenda setting, material preparation, and diligent tracking of follow-up actions to ensure accountability.

• Lead and execute high-priority special projects and strategic initiatives on behalf of the department leadership.

• Serve as a key point of contact and gatekeeper, representing the department head in communications with internal and external stakeholders.

• Operations & Execution:

• Drive administrative, operational, reporting, and quality improvements through partnership with internal teams.

• Establish and maintain critical management routines and supporting documentation for Business-Critical Milestone Reporting, ensuring quality, efficiency, and accuracy.

• Oversee and optimize core business operations, identifying opportunities for process improvements and efficiency gains.

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track departmental performance and report on progress against goals.

• Inventory and manage critical department operations and planned deliverables for the Head of Department.

• Financial & Resource Management:

• Lead the annual budget planning process and provide ongoing financial oversight.

• Work with the senior leadership team to oversee headcount accuracy, and the onboarding and termination of resources.

• Execution of vendor management activities.

• Risk & Compliance:

• Appropriately assess risk when business decisions are made, demonstrating particular consideration for the firm's reputation and safeguarding client, its clients, and assets.

• Drive compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations by adhering to Policy, applying sound ethical judgment, and escalating control issues with transparency.

• Responsible for all cross-product technology, regulatory, and administrative duties in conjunction with the team.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in financial services, with a background in operations or business management.

• Experience working in global and complex settings with multiple senior stakeholders.

• Proven ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, employing sound judgment to resolve complex issues.

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills and consistently clear, concise, and influential written and verbal communication.

• Proven ability to manage complex projects and drive them to completion.

• Must be a self-starter, flexible, innovative, and adaptive.

• Highly motivated, with strong attention to detail, team-oriented, and organized.

• Awareness of regulatory requirements including local and US laws, international, and industry standards.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree/University degree or equivalent experience.

• Master's degree preferred.