Programs Director Jobs in Toronto, ON (NOW HIRING)

Requisition ID: 267683 
Join a purpose driven winning team, committed to results, in an inclusive and high-performing culture.

The role:

The Director, Program Management reports into the VP, Delivery & Portfolio Management supporting a large-scale program within the Wealth Management portfolio. This role is accountable for the end-to-end and day-to-day management of the program including managing program objectives, execution, risk mitigation, issue escalation and enabling activities between governance, design, delivery, and support workstreams. As the Director, you will ensure program strategy and objectives are fulfilled within the established timelines and manage and mitigate risks. You will be responsible for implementing new ways of working and operating models, and ensuring the successful delivery of projects within scope, on time, and within budget.

What will you do?

• Project Leadership: Provide strategic direction and leadership to cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with ScotiaTech's strategic goals and business objectives.
• Strategic Planning: Collaborate with senior leaders and our external consulting partner to define and drive the strategic roadmap of initiatives, identifying key opportunities and potential risks. Responsible for establishing and managing integrated plans in collaboration with the project delivery team. Identify key stakeholders and involve subject matter experts as required.
• Effective Communication: Consistently interact professionally with clients both in business and technology to manage project expectations and deliverables within allocated timelines and budget.
• Risk Management: Implement robust project management methodologies and processes to identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, ensuring successful project delivery. Escalate critical issues and drive decision-making and accountability by supporting cross-functional executive and senior management forums to align on opportunities, challenges and required actions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including business leaders, technology teams, and external partners, to ensure alignment and transparency throughout project lifecycles.
• Agile Leadership: Work in an agile delivery environment, drive maturity in Agile practices and effectively collaborate with product, engineering, business and other partners.
• Resource Management: Manage project budgets, resource allocation, and vendor relationships to optimize project outcomes while controlling costs.
• Quality Assurance: Monitor and ensure the quality of project deliverables, adhering to industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Continuous Improvement: Champion a culture of continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to enhance project management practices and streamline processes.
• Manage Priorities: Effectively manage changing priorities, project risks and issues along with impact and mitigation plans. Facilitate change requests for major impact on scope, schedule, resourcing, and budget.
• Reporting and Documentation: Prepare and present regular project status reports and documentation to senior management, providing insights and recommendations for decision-making.
• Talent Development: Mentor and develop project management professionals within the team, fostering a culture of growth and excellence. Build a high-performance environment and implement a people strategy that attracts, retains, develops, and motivates the team by fostering an inclusive work environment and using a coaching mindset and behaviours; communicate vison/values/business strategy; and manage succession and development planning for the team.
• Understand how the Bank's risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions
• Create an environment in which their team pursues effective and efficient operations of their respective areas in accordance with Scotiabank's Values, its Code of Conduct and the Global Sales Principles, while ensuring the adequacy, adherence to and effectiveness of day-to-day business controls to meet obligations with respect to operational, compliance, AML/ATF/sanctions and conduct risk.

Role Dimensions:

• Wealth Management technology and change initiatives within ScotiaTech
• Multiregion support across Canada, LATAM, and Global Banking & Markets
• Crossfunctional engagement with Technology, Operations, HR, Finance, Risk, and Compliance
• Annual Program Budget: $15M-$50M+ (capital + operating)
• Vendor/Consulting Spend: Up to $10M annually
• Accountable for financial forecasting, cost controls, and budget adherence
• Oversight of 5-15 concurrent program workstreams
• Delivery of enterprisewide platforms, integrations, and modernization initiatives
• Management of multiple technical systems across the ScotiaTech ecosystem
• Ensures alignment with OSFI, FINTRAC, and Privacy/AML regulatory expectations
• Governance adherence to Enterprise Delivery Frameworks, Technology Standards, and Change Management controls
• Compliance with audit, cybersecurity, operational risk, and conduct risk requirements

What do you need to succeed?

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Project Management, or equivalent experience; MBA or PMP certification is a plus
• Strong Project Management background with experience in Agile, hybrid, and waterfall programs, optimizing cross-team workflows for velocity and quality
• Minimum of 10 years of project management experience, with a track record of successfully managing complex technology transformation in banking or digital business sector, with specific experience in Wealth Management
• Hands-on experience in working in an agile delivery environment; exposure to business agility is a plus
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, drive strategic change, and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams at all levels of the organization
• Experience with Enterprise Delivery Frameworks
• PMP or equivalent certification
• PM at a Canadian bank
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
• Proven experience in strategic planning and portfolio management
• Knowledge of regulatory and compliance requirements in the financial industry
• Results-driven mindset with a focus on delivering business outcomes
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and changing environment
• 12+ years leading large-scale business/technology programs
• 10+ years establishing and championing program governance, PMO practices, or agile delivery frameworks
• 7+ years managing and developing high-performing teams

What's in it for you?

• We have an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages creativity and curiosity and celebrates success
• We provide you with the tools and technology needed to create meaningful customer experiences
• You'll get to work with and learn from diverse industry leaders, who have hailed from top technology companies around the world
• We hire you for your talent - not just a job - so you can grow with us. We'll equip you for success not only in your role, but also in your career as a whole
• Dress codes don't apply here: being comfortable does
• Access to thousands of online and in-person courses so you can hone your current skills, or learn new ones
• A competitive rewards package that includes a base salary, a performance bonus, company matching programs on pension and profit sharing, paid vacation, personal & sick days, medical, vision, and dental and much more

Location(s):  Canada : Ontario : Toronto 
Scotiabank is a leading bank in the Americas. Guided by our purpose: "for every future", we help our customers, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets.  
At Scotiabank, we value the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the Bank, and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternate format documents, ASL Interpreter, or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our  Recruitment team know. If you require technical assistance, please click here. Candidates must apply directly online to be considered for this role. We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at Scotiabank; however, only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.