Agile Program Management - Director - FSI
Publicis Groupe · Riyadh
Company descriptionAbout Publicis Sapient
Most companies in the AI era do one of two things: they advise, or they sell you a tool. We do both. Publicis Sapient is a technology company that provides enterprise AI platforms and services, which means we build our own AI platforms and bring the strategists, product thinkers, designers and engineers who make them work inside the world's most complex businesses. It's where people and products shape the future of enterprise, and where your ideas actually reach the organizations that run the world. If you want to question how things are done, learn continuously and do the best work of your career alongside 20,000 people across 28 countries, you're in the right place. Come build with us.
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We are committed to fostering and encouraging an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone and we believe great talent comes from many different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. That's why we're committed to creating a hiring process where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and feel safe. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and value the diverse experiences, perspectives and strengths that individuals bring to our teams.
If there's anything we can do to make our recruitment process more accessible or comfortable for you, please let us know. We're happy to provide reasonable adjustments throughout the application and interview process. You can contact us anytime at emeahiringteam@publicissapient.com.
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Overview
Director – Agile Program Management – Financial Services
Why This Role Matters
Publicis Sapient is looking for an experienced Director – Agile Program Management to lead large-scale digital transformation programmes and complex technology delivery engagements within the Financial Services industry.
In this role, you will be responsible for driving strategic delivery across major client programmes or portfolios of accounts, ensuring successful business outcomes, commercial performance and client satisfaction. You will bring together multidisciplinary teams, establish strong executive relationships and lead complex transformation initiatives from strategy through execution.
Beyond programme delivery, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, shaping delivery strategies, identifying growth opportunities and helping clients navigate complex business and technology challenges.
This is an opportunity to combine strategic leadership, technology expertise and commercial accountability while driving meaningful transformation for leading Financial Services organisations.
Responsibilities
Where You’ll Make an Impact
Lead large-scale, complex digital transformation programmes and portfolios across Financial Services clients, ensuring alignment with business objectives and strategic priorities.
Structure and manage integrated, multi-track programmes, overseeing delivery planning, scope, timelines, budgets, risks and quality.
Define and implement delivery approaches that combine Agile best practices with client-specific business and technology requirements.
Provide strategic leadership to multidisciplinary teams of 20 or more professionals across technology, product, design and delivery functions.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, executives and business leaders.
Own programme governance, financial performance, delivery commitments and overall client satisfaction.
Drive commercial accountability across programmes, including budget management, revenue performance, profitability and resource optimisation.
Oversee project estimations, delivery plans, risk registers, change management processes and programme reporting.
Anticipate delivery challenges, proactively manage dependencies and implement effective risk mitigation strategies.
Partner with business development and account leadership teams to identify new opportunities and support account growth.
Lead complex technology and platform transformation initiatives, ensuring successful integration across business and technical workstreams.
Establish high-performing, collaborative teams through effective leadership, coaching and performance management.
Drive continuous improvement by applying lessons learned, optimising delivery processes and promoting engineering and Agile excellence.
Take end-to-end accountability for programme success, from initial planning and mobilisation through execution and final delivery.
Qualifications
What You’ll Bring to the Team
Extensive experience leading enterprise-scale technology programmes and complex digital transformation initiatives, ideally within consulting or technology services environments.
Strong Financial Services industry expertise, with an understanding of banking, financial products, business operations and technology transformation.
Proven experience managing large, multidisciplinary programmes and globally distributed delivery teams.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams of 20 or more professionals across multiple technology and business disciplines.
Strong client management experience, including executive stakeholder engagement, presentations, negotiations and escalation management.
Proven commercial accountability for large programmes or client portfolios, including budgets or revenues of USD 5 million or more.
Experience delivering enterprise technology solutions across multiple project lifecycles, from business development through implementation and delivery.
Strong understanding of Agile methodologies, programme governance and enterprise delivery frameworks.
Experience managing complex platform implementations, enterprise engineering initiatives and digital product development.
Ability to balance scope, cost, quality, timelines and delivery risks while maintaining strong client relationships.
Strong financial management skills, including project estimations, forecasting, profitability and resource planning.
Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
A proactive, outcome-driven mindset with the ability to anticipate challenges and make informed decisions in complex environments.
Additional Experience We Value
Experience leading banking transformation programmes involving core banking, payments, digital banking or enterprise modernization.
Exposure to enterprise architecture, cloud platforms, API ecosystems and emerging technologies.
Experience delivering omnichannel platforms, customer experience transformation or digital product solutions.
Familiarity with object-oriented design, software engineering practices and modern technology delivery approaches.
Experience supporting business development, proposals, client pitches and strategic account planning.
Proven ability to improve delivery performance, strengthen client relationships and identify opportunities for business growth.
Experience working across international markets and managing culturally diverse, distributed teams.
Relevant programme management or Agile certifications, such as PMP, PgMP, SAFe or Scrum.
Additional information
What You’ll Get in Return
Be at the forefront of digital transformation.
"Plugged" into a truly global organization with a start-up mindset.
Career growth and training opportunities.
A collaborative, agile and diverse regional team.
Comprehensive insurance and medical benefits.
Where You’ll Make an Impact
Lead large-scale, complex digital transformation programmes and portfolios across Financial Services clients, ensuring alignment with business objectives and strategic priorities.
Structure and manage integrated, multi-track programmes, overseeing delivery planning, scope, timelines, budgets, risks and quality.
Define and implement delivery approaches that combine Agile best practices with client-specific business and technology requirements.
Provide strategic leadership to multidisciplinary teams of 20 or more professionals across technology, product, design and delivery functions.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, executives and business leaders.
Own programme governance, financial performance, delivery commitments and overall client satisfaction.
Drive commercial accountability across programmes, including budget management, revenue performance, profitability and resource optimisation.
Oversee project estimations, delivery plans, risk registers, change management processes and programme reporting.
Anticipate delivery challenges, proactively manage dependencies and implement effective risk mitigation strategies.
Partner with business development and account leadership teams to identify new opportunities and support account growth.
Lead complex technology and platform transformation initiatives, ensuring successful integration across business and technical workstreams.
Establish high-performing, collaborative teams through effective leadership, coaching and performance management.
Drive continuous improvement by applying lessons learned, optimising delivery processes and promoting engineering and Agile excellence.
Take end-to-end accountability for programme success, from initial planning and mobilisation through execution and final delivery.
What You’ll Bring to the Team
Extensive experience leading enterprise-scale technology programmes and complex digital transformation initiatives, ideally within consulting or technology services environments.
Strong Financial Services industry expertise, with an understanding of banking, financial products, business operations and technology transformation.
Proven experience managing large, multidisciplinary programmes and globally distributed delivery teams.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams of 20 or more professionals across multiple technology and business disciplines.
Strong client management experience, including executive stakeholder engagement, presentations, negotiations and escalation management.
Proven commercial accountability for large programmes or client portfolios, including budgets or revenues of USD 5 million or more.
Experience delivering enterprise technology solutions across multiple project lifecycles, from business development through implementation and delivery.
Strong understanding of Agile methodologies, programme governance and enterprise delivery frameworks.
Experience managing complex platform implementations, enterprise engineering initiatives and digital product development.
Ability to balance scope, cost, quality, timelines and delivery risks while maintaining strong client relationships.
Strong financial management skills, including project estimations, forecasting, profitability and resource planning.
Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
A proactive, outcome-driven mindset with the ability to anticipate challenges and make informed decisions in complex environments.
Additional Experience We Value
Experience leading banking transformation programmes involving core banking, payments, digital banking or enterprise modernization.
Exposure to enterprise architecture, cloud platforms, API ecosystems and emerging technologies.
Experience delivering omnichannel platforms, customer experience transformation or digital product solutions.
Familiarity with object-oriented design, software engineering practices and modern technology delivery approaches.
Experience supporting business development, proposals, client pitches and strategic account planning.
Proven ability to improve delivery performance, strengthen client relationships and identify opportunities for business growth.
Experience working across international markets and managing culturally diverse, distributed teams.
Relevant programme management or Agile certifications, such as PMP, PgMP, SAFe or Scrum.