Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Cornerstone Advisors hires a Senior Implementation Consultant to lead complex system implementation engagements for banks and credit unions. The role oversees project governance, client readiness, delivery quality, cross-functional coordination, and implementation challenges across banking systems and financial technology solutions.
Responsibilities
- Lead mid-sized to large, complex implementation engagements and provide oversight across multiple workstreams
- Direct joint project kickoff and governance sessions with clients and solution vendors to establish alignment on scope, decision rights, roles, milestones, and escalation paths
- Design and facilitate discovery and future-state workshops that identify process improvements, operating impacts, dependencies, and business requirements
- Develop, validate, and manage integrated project plans, including tasks, dependencies, timelines, resource needs, critical paths, and stakeholder commitments
- Lead coordination with third-party vendors on interfaces, integrations, testing, conversion, readiness, and deployment activities
- Monitor engagement performance, resource utilization, budget, quality, and milestone achievement; recommend corrective actions when results vary from plan
- Anticipate, assess, and manage complex project risks, issues, and decisions; facilitate resolution and escalate matters that require executive action
- Maintain accountability for project scope, schedule, budget, governance, and deliverable quality while managing client expectations
- Review and approve implementation artifacts, including requirements, test plans, training materials, conversion strategies, readiness assessments, executive reports, and decision logs
- Lead mock conversions, cutover planning, go-live readiness reviews, and post-implementation stabilization activities
Skills
- Advanced knowledge of core banking systems, digital banking platforms, payments, loan origination systems, or related financial technology solutions
- Strong understanding of bank and credit union operations, including deposits, lending, payments, and back-office processes
- Demonstrated project leadership with the ability to manage complex workstreams, dependencies, resources, and stakeholder commitments
- Advanced business analysis capabilities, including requirements definition, process mapping, operating model design, and impact assessment
- Strong knowledge of vendor management, system integrations, testing, data conversion, and implementation governance
- Advanced proficiency with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent)
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
- Proficiency with process mapping, requirements documentation, and executive reporting tools
- Strong command of implementation methodologies, including Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid approaches
- Advanced understanding of system integrations, testing, data conversion, cutover, and go-live readiness
- Ability to establish project governance, manage integrated plans, and communicate engagement performance to executive stakeholders
- Executive presence and confidence facilitating discussions with senior client and vendor stakeholders
- Strong leadership, coaching, and team coordination skills without relying on formal authority
- Clear, concise written and verbal communication tailored to technical, operational, and executive audiences
- Sound judgment, accountability, adaptability, and composure when managing complex or high-impact issues
- Strong relationship-building, negotiation, conflict-resolution, and client service skills
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field
- 5-8 years of experience in financial services, consulting, or system implementations, including responsibility for leading complex workstreams or engagements
- Experience leading implementation activities for banks or credit unions and working directly with client stakeholders
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and project planning or collaboration platforms
- Experience leading core banking, digital banking, payments, lending, or loan origination platform implementations
- Project management certification (PMP or equivalent) or comparable implementation leadership experience
- Experience with system integrations, testing, data conversion, cutover planning, executive governance, and post-go-live stabilization
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