Programme Director - Core Banking Transformation

Location: Doha, Qatar
Contract Duration: 12 Months (extendable)
Employment Type: Fixed-Term Contract / Consultancy Engagement

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Programme Director to lead a large-scale Core Banking Transformation Programme for a leading bank in Qatar. This executive-level appointment will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end delivery of one of the bank's most strategic initiatives, encompassing core banking platform modernisation, process transformation, systems integration, data migration, regulatory compliance, and business readiness.

The successful candidate will act as the primary point of accountability for programme delivery, managing executive stakeholders, technology partners, system integrators, and internal business functions to ensure successful implementation and adoption.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for the Core Banking Transformation Programme from mobilisation through to go-live and post-implementation stabilisation.
• Establish and maintain programme governance structures, steering committees, reporting frameworks, and executive communications.
• Ensure programme delivery remains aligned to business objectives, regulatory requirements, and budget expectations.
• Lead multi-stream delivery teams across Technology, Operations, Retail Banking, Corporate Banking, Risk, Finance, Compliance, and PMO functions.

Delivery Management

• Oversee planning, execution, and delivery across all workstreams including:
  • Core Banking Platform Implementation
  • Data Migration
  • Systems Integration
  • Process Re-engineering
  • Testing & Quality Assurance
  • Cyber Security
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Organisational Change Management
  • Training & Business Readiness
• Monitor programme risks, dependencies, budget, scope, and delivery milestones.
• Drive remediation plans where delivery issues or programme risks emerge.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the principal liaison between executive leadership, regulators, implementation partners, and third-party vendors.
• Build strong relationships with C-Suite stakeholders including:
  • CEO
  • CIO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CRO
  • Heads of Business Units
• Prepare and present programme status updates to Executive Committees and Board-level stakeholders.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Manage relationships with core banking software vendors, system integrators, consulting firms, and offshore delivery teams.
• Ensure vendors meet contractual obligations, quality standards, and agreed delivery milestones.
• Lead commercial discussions related to programme scope, budget, and contractual commitments.

Governance & Risk

• Establish robust programme controls and governance mechanisms.
• Ensure compliance with Qatar Central Bank regulations and internal risk frameworks.
• Manage programme audit, compliance, and assurance activities.
• Drive successful regulatory and operational readiness activities ahead of go-live.

Required Experience

Essential

• 15+ years of programme management experience within banking or financial services.
• Demonstrated experience leading at least one large-scale Core Banking Transformation programme exceeding USD $50M in value.
• Proven track record delivering core banking implementations involving platforms such as:
  • Temenos Transact (T24)
  • Oracle FLEXCUBE
  • TCS BaNCS
  • Finastra Phoenix
  • Infosys Finacle
  • Thought Machine
  • Mambu
• Strong understanding of:
  • Retail Banking
  • Corporate Banking
  • Payments
  • Lending
  • Treasury Operations
  • Risk & Compliance
• Experience managing multiple implementation partners and large cross-functional teams.
• Strong financial and commercial management capabilities.

Preferred

• Previous experience working within GCC banking environments.
• Experience dealing with Central Bank regulators.
• Experience delivering cloud-enabled banking transformation programmes.
• Arabic language skills would be advantageous.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Technology, Engineering, Finance, or related discipline.
• MBA preferred.
• Relevant certifications such as:
  • PMP
  • PgMP
  • PRINCE2
  • MSP
  • SAFe Programme Consultant (SPC)