THE ROLE

The Sr. Director, Investment Program Manager will leverage deep knowledge of investment technologies and processes to develop strategies and projects that support business planning for the Investment Team, with a focus on the investor toolkit and related process. As a senior leader and agent of the Investment Leadership Team, this individual will be responsible and accountable for setting the strategy for investment technology, process and related strategy, while ensuring it supports our broader firmwide strategy. This role will position approved strategy within our firmwide Agile planning framework and build partnerships across the firm to streamline the delivery of business value to our investment team and our clients. Platforms in scope include the global investment research and portfolio management platform, investment risk tools, trading technology and more. Leadership responsibilities include aligning vision and strategy across a diverse group of leaders and managing a team of individuals similarly focused on aspects of the planning and implementation process.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Serve as a thought leader and subject matter expert for the Investment Team on all matters related to Investment technology requirements, process and related strategy.
• Lead other leaders and strategists to develop advanced solutions and strategy that support long term business goals and create accountability standards for successful execution.
• Drive decision making related to technology and related strategy in support of the Investment process.
• In collaboration with the Investment Leadership Team, build alignment amongst stakeholders on technology and process requirements to support the Investment Team.
• Evaluate areas for continuous improvement, evolving the implementation of best practices to scale to future needs and incorporate into appropriate strategy.
• Convey the vision and value proposition of our Investment Technology strategies and processes and how this supports our overall firm strategy in written and presentation formats across a variety of forums.
• In collaboration with the leadership team, define sequence and maintain a budget, roadmap and implementation plan for the investor toolkit.
• Work with the Investment leadership team and other key stakeholders across the firm to build alignment to support the above, and to conduct business planning.
• Monitor competitors, market trends, evolving investor and client needs and emerging capabilities to continue to optimize the MFS Investment Platform.
• Actively manage internal and external dependencies and impediments that could impact the completion or effectiveness of work.
• Enable the business and firmwide planning processes with detailed roadmaps, analysis and documentation, following Agile planning principles.
• Engage with other leaders, including across legal, compliance, technology and operations to build alignment around a vision for workflows, software solutions and support models to support the strategy.
• Manage a team of program managers and product owners that broadly support the Investment Team business, client engagement and technology planning process.
• Serve as product owner for one or more Agile teams focused on derivatives work.
• Participate as a program lead for one or more firmwide strategic initiatives.
• Implement and maintain high standards of organization, prioritization, communication, and collaboration across relevant teams. Communicate with stakeholders and supporting teams to foster productive team dynamics.
• Perform other key responsibilities, inclusive of supporting firm-wide initiatives and frameworks, as required.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent.
• 15+ years of industry experience, including strong foundation in the asset management industry, including but not limited to, the investment and investment research process and direct experience with investment tools and processes.
• Deep knowledge of the investment environment, investment research and portfolio management process, financial markets, and competitive trends.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing new capabilities through large scale, cross-divisional programs.
• Experience with Agile planning methodologies, including Scrum.
• Strategic and innovative mindset.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including listening, alignment building and partnership skills: can partner with leaders at all levels across the firm as an advisor and facilitator.
• Strong advocate of both strategic and practical matters for the Investment Leadership team
• Strong vision-setting, road-mapping, and project management skills.
• Effective communicator: must be willing and able to communicate individually and in a group setting with senior leaders.
• Strong organizational, presentation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commercial, yet creative.