Senior Director, Banking Performance Improvement

Description

Department:  Financial Services Performance Improvement (FS PI)

This role sits within the FS PI team at Alvarez and Marsal in London. We work with clients across the FS space including banks, insurers, wealth and asset managers, payments service providers and other specialist FS firms.

We assist our clients to achieve their full potential value in a rapidly transforming financial services landscape.  Whether the firm is seeking to address areas of revenue or cost underperformance, looking to launch a new business, transform its operating model, or in need of material restructuring, we work alongside our client’s management to define, plan and support the execution of the strategic and tactical actions required. With our heritage in the fast-paced, pragmatic world of restructuring and unique delivery model, A&M's involvement reassures all stakeholders that the firm is taking the steps required to maximise its value.

Our FS PI team is comprised of a mix of seasoned financial services executives and highly skilled consultants.  We draw on our extensive expertise in the risk and regulatory space, where our team of seasoned ex-regulators and advisers provide practical and credible strategies to adapt to a complex regulatory landscape where decisions are based on judgment rather than rules.  And when required, we leverage the insights and execution capabilities of our market leading portfolio advisory and financial structuring colleagues to identify and deliver creative solutions to accelerate the transformation journey.

Purpose of the Banking Senior Director role:

An opportunity exists for an experienced Banking consulting professional at Senior Director level, to join the team based in our London office. 

Immersed in the challenges that the Banking sector faces in today’s market conditions, the successful hire will be experienced in developing and delivering solutions that address businesses’ critical strategic issues gained, ideally, from both operational and advisory roles in the sector.

The successful candidate will work with our existing team to continue to build the profile and reputation of the Firm in the Performance Improvement (PI) space in Financial Services across Europe.

They will support the development and execution of our strategy focused on specific target clients and distinctive go-to-market propositions that fit the A&M brand and model. They will be business savvy, solution-focused, entrepreneurial, determined to make a difference and not afraid to challenge the status-quo.

Key responsibilities:

Specifically, the candidate will:

• Act as an execution team leader for PI services to the Banking (and Payments) industry;
• Work closely with senior stakeholders in the clients’ business and with professionals from leading financial institutions;
• Advise clients on value-critical issues and opportunities, recommending pragmatic solutions and providing actionable technical / commercial advice;
• Interpret and present the commercial implications of regulation in a clear and impactful way;
• Lead transformation programmes that improve the business of today as well as enable the business of tomorrow;
• Support the development of a robust yet flexible plan to generate deal flow and generate sustained repeat business for A&M;
• Work with the broader European FS A&M team to ensure a joined up go-to-market approach, lead international project teams, and develop the A&M brand and business.

Requirements for this position:

The preferred candidate for this appointment will be an action-oriented self-starter with entrepreneurial flair. He/she will be comfortable working independently as well as part of a high performing team. Critically, they will bring a network of contacts and a track record of successfully executing complex PI projects.

Specifically, the successful candidate will:

• Have a successful track record with a well-regarded consulting firm – either a top tier strategy firm, a leading specialist /niche advisory firm or ‘Big 4’ consultancy;
• Ideally, also have relevant experience within the Banking industry, including line management experience, probably in earlier career;
• Be an expert in (Retail and Commercial) Banking and in Performance Improvement, with compelling experience in one or more specific elements of PI such as cost take-out, revenue enhancement, restructuring, divestitures, acquisitions and post merger integration;
• Have a demonstrable track record in converting business contacts and leads into sustainable, profitable revenue streams – in partnership with others (with maturity of this capability a significant differentiator between Director and Senior Director candidates);
• Bring experience of leading teams, including mixed client/adviser teams, ideally including experience working across multiple locations in Europe;
• Be passionate about coaching and developing team members, engendering strong followership;
• Be fluent in English (verbal & written).  Any additional European language skills would be highly desirable;
• Be comfortable with European travel, sometimes at short notice;
• Possess at least a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree from an accredited university. 

Why A&M?

Companies, investors and government entities around the world turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) for leadership, action and results.  A&M’s leadership is about a bias towards action and the willingness to tell clients what we think is needed. Our restructuring heritage sharpens our ability to act decisively.  Clients select us for our deep expertise and ability to create and deliver practical, rather than theoretical, solutions to their unique problems in addition to our objectivity. 

Privately held since its founding in 1983, A&M is a leading global professional services firm that provides advisory, business performance improvement and turnaround management services. When conventional approaches are not enough to create transformation and drive change, clients seek our deep expertise and ability to deliver practical solutions to their unique problems.

With over 6,000 people across four continents, we deliver tangible results for corporates, boards, private equity firms, law firms and government agencies facing complex challenges. Our senior leaders, and their teams help companies act decisively, catapult growth and accelerate results. We are experienced operators, world-class consultants, former regulators and industry authorities with a shared commitment to telling clients what’s really needed for turning change into a strategic business asset, managing risk and unlocking value at every stage of growth.

Diversity & Inclusion

A&M’s entrepreneurial culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who can positively impact our clients and shape our industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M’s core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are the main reasons our people love working at A&M. Inclusive Diversity means we embrace diversity, and we foster inclusiveness, encouraging everyone to bring their whole self to work each day. It runs through how we recruit, develop employees, conduct business, support clients, and partner with vendors. It is the A&M way.

Voluntary Inclusion

It is Alvarez & Marsal’s practice to provide and promote equal opportunity in employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, pregnancy, marital status, family status, religion, national origin, age or disability or any other non-merit based factor or any other characteristics in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Unsolicited Resumes from Third-Party Recruiters

Please note that as per A&M policy, we do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters unless such recruiters are engaged to provide candidates for a specified opening and in alignment with our Inclusive Diversity values. Any employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume does so with the understanding that A&M will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion without any fee owed to the submitting employment agency, person or entity.