Senior Program Manager

Job Title: Senior Program Manager
Location:
Mexico City, Mexico
Contract Type:
Full-time
Language Requirements:
Bilingual (Spanish/English) - Native or fluent proficiency required
Position Summary
The Senior Program Manager / Engagement Partner will serve as the primary client-facing representative and trusted advisor, owning the end-to-end client relationship and program delivery for a major core banking platform implementation. This individual will manage all aspects of program governance, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and delivery assurance for this strategic, multi-year implementation delivered through Agile sprint-based methodologies.
This role requires a unique combination of banking domain expertise, program management excellence, executive presence, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments while maintaining strong collaborative relationships with both client stakeholders and technology partners. Deep understanding of various account types (Level 2, 3, and 4 accounts) and their regulatory implications is essential.
Key Responsibilities
Client Relationship Management (40%)
Serve as the primary point of contact and trusted advisor to client project leadership and technical teams
Build and maintain executive-level relationships with key stakeholders across client's technology and business organizations
Provide strategic counsel on banking operations, regulatory compliance, and technology decisions
Conduct regular business reviews, steering committee meetings, and executive briefings
Proactively identify and address client concerns, managing expectations and maintaining high satisfaction levels
Act as escalation point for all client issues, ensuring rapid resolution and clear communication
Translate business requirements into actionable program deliverables
Manage change control processes and scope discussions with client stakeholders
Program Delivery and Governance (35%)
Own overall program planning, execution, and delivery across all workstreams using Agile methodologies
Establish and maintain program governance structures, including steering committees, working groups, and status reporting
Develop and manage integrated program plans covering implementation, migration, integration, and regulatory compliance activities delivered through sprint-based execution
Drive accountability across delivery teams, platform vendors, and third-party partners in an Agile framework
Manage program budget, resource allocation, and vendor relationships
Ensure alignment between delivery commitments and platform capabilities
Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks and issues
Implement quality assurance processes and delivery excellence frameworks
Track and report on program KPIs, milestone achievement, and SLA compliance
Banking & Regulatory Domain Leadership (15%)
Leverage banking and payments industry experience to guide solution design and implementation decisions
Demonstrate deep knowledge of various account types (Level 2, 3, and 4 accounts) and their operational and regulatory differences
Understand and articulate Mexican financial regulatory requirements (FinTech law, CNBV, Banxico, SPEI) to technical teams
Ensure solution design addresses regulatory compliance for Electronic Payment Fund Institution (IFPE) requirements across all supported account types
Support preparation of regulatory documentation and approval processes with Mexican authorities
Guide integration approaches for Mexican payment systems including SPEI, CoDi, and DIMO
Bring best practices from previous core banking transformations
Stakeholder Management & Communication (10%)
Facilitate effective communication across distributed teams across multiple geographies
Present program status, risks, and recommendations to executive stakeholders
Manage stakeholder expectations through transparent, proactive communication
Coordinate across multiple client technology and business functions
Navigate complex organizational structures and decision-making processes
Build consensus and drive decision-making in ambiguous situations
Required Qualifications
Essential Experience
10+ years of program/project management experience in financial services technology implementations
5+ years of direct experience in banking, payments, or core banking system implementations
Proven track record managing large-scale ($5M+) technology transformation programs
Experience with SaaS banking platforms or core banking system implementations
Direct experience working with banking regulations and compliance requirements
Demonstrated success managing complex client relationships at executive levels
Experience leading distributed teams across multiple geographies and time zones
Banking & Payments Domain Knowledge
Deep understanding of retail banking operations, account management, and transaction processing
Knowledge of payment systems and clearing/settlement processes
Familiarity with card processing, debit products, and digital banking channels
Understanding of banking regulatory frameworks (Mexican experience highly preferred)
Experience with IFPE regulations, SPEI, or Mexican financial technology landscape is a significant advantage
Technical & Methodological Competencies
Strong understanding of modern cloud-based architectures and SaaS delivery models
Experience with API-based integrations and microservices architectures
Familiarity with data migration approaches and strategies
Proven experience working in Agile frameworks with sprint-based delivery models
Working knowledge of Scrum methodologies and DevOps practices
Experience with ITIL or IT4IT frameworks for production support
Understanding of security and compliance requirements (PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2)
Language & Location Requirements
Native or fluent bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English (written and verbal)
Based in or willing to relocate to Mexico City
Ability to travel domestically within Mexico (20-30%)
Comfortable working with international teams across time zones
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience with major core banking platforms (Finastra, Temenos, Oracle FLEXCUBE, FIS, etc.)
Direct experience implementing solutions for Mexican financial institutions or IFPEs
Knowledge of CNBV and Banxico regulatory reporting requirements
Experience managing programs for large retail or financial services organizations
PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certification
Previous experience as an engagement manager or client partner role
MBA or equivalent advanced business degree
Competencies & Personal Attributes
Leadership & Influence
Executive presence with ability to command confidence of C-level stakeholders
Strong leadership skills with ability to influence without direct authority
Comfortable making decisions in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
Ability to drive accountability and results across matrixed organizations
Communication & Relationship Building
Exceptional communication skills with ability to tailor messages to different audiences
Natural relationship builder who establishes trust quickly
Skilled at managing difficult conversations and resolving conflicts
Active listener who seeks to understand before being understood
Business Acumen & Strategic Thinking
Commercial mindset with understanding of P&L accountability
Strategic thinker who can balance long-term vision with short-term execution needs
Ability to identify business risks and opportunities proactively
Understanding of contract management, SLAs, and commercial terms
Delivery Excellence
Results-oriented with proven ability to deliver complex programs on time and budget
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and planning skills
Comfortable operating in high-pressure, high-visibility environments
Resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges and changes
Cultural Competence
Experience working effectively across cultures
Sensitivity to cultural differences in communication styles and business practices
Ability to bridge cultural gaps and build cohesive multinational teams