Core Banking Programme Director (m/f/d)

About the role

A leading bank in Qatar is looking for an experienced Programme Director to lead its Core Banking Transformation Programme, a large-scale initiative covering platform modernisation, process transformation, systems integration, data migration, regulatory compliance and business readiness. The role is based in Doha on a 12-month fixed-term consultancy engagement (extendable) and acts as the main point of accountability for delivery, managing executive stakeholders, technology partners, system integrators and internal business functions.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the programme from mobilisation through go-live and post-implementation stabilisation, setting up governance, steering committees, reporting and executive communications.
• Oversee workstreams including core banking platform implementation, data migration, systems integration, process re-engineering, testing and QA, cyber security, regulatory compliance, change management, training and business readiness.
• Monitor risks, dependencies, budget, scope and milestones, and drive remediation plans.
• Act as principal liaison with executives, regulators, implementation partners and vendors, and report status to Executive Committees and the Board.
• Manage vendor relationships and lead commercial discussions on scope, budget and contracts.
• Ensure compliance with Qatar Central Bank regulations and manage audit, compliance and assurance activities.

Required profile

• 15+ years of programme management experience in banking or financial services.
• Experience leading at least one large-scale Core Banking Transformation programme worth more than USD 50M.
• Proven track record delivering core banking implementations on Temenos T24, Oracle FLEXCUBE, TCS BaNCS, Finastra, Phoenix, Infosys Finacle, Thought Machine or Mambu.
• Strong understanding of retail banking, corporate banking, payments, lending, treasury operations and risk and compliance.
• Experience managing multiple implementation partners and large cross-functional teams; strong financial and commercial management capabilities.
• Preferred: GCC banking experience, regulator interaction experience, cloud-enabled transformation experience, Arabic, a Bachelor's degree (MBA preferred) and PMP/PgMP/PRINCE2/MSP/SAFe certifications.