At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive strategy execution and governance for Universal Banking at a leading financial services software company.
- Company: Finastra, a global leader in financial services software with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Unlimited vacation, hybrid working, health insurance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping strategic priorities and influencing senior leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic planning and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Who are we? At Finastra, we’re a global leader in financial services software, dedicated to expanding access to financial services and shaping what’s next for the industry. Our technology powers mission‑critical solutions across Lending, Payments and Universal Banking, supporting over 7,000 customers, including 80% of the world’s top 50 banks, in more than 110 countries.
We are looking for a Strategy, Governance and Operations Lead to join our Universal Banking organisation. This is a high‑impact, enterprise‑level role reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, sitting at the centre of strategy execution, governance, and value delivery for one of Finastra’s most important businesses. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who can combine strategic thinking with strong execution discipline, and who thrives in complex, matrixed environments with senior‑level exposure.
About the role: In this role, you will operate as a trusted execution partner to the Chief of Staff and the Universal Banking Leadership Team. You will play a critical role in translating strategy into action, bringing clarity, structure, and pace to strategic priorities, corporate development initiatives, and portfolio‑level delivery. You will act as a connector across strategy, corporate development, transformation, and PMO, ensuring leadership has a clear, decision‑ready view of priorities, progress, risks, and trade‑offs. While the role does not have direct people management responsibility, you will work closely with and provide direction to PMO and analytics talent based in our collaboration hubs.
Key Responsibilities:
- Partner closely with the Chief of Staff to shape and operationalise Universal Banking strategy and Leadership Team priorities.
- Translate strategic objectives into clear plans, milestones, sequencing, and success measures.
- Act as a senior, independent thought partner on strategic choices, execution risks, prioritisation, and trade-offs.
- Lead the development of high-quality Leadership Team materials, including strategy updates, QBRs, annual planning cycles, and offsite content.
- Ensure materials are insight-led, concise, and focused on enabling high-quality decisions.
- Shape agendas and narratives that drive clarity, alignment, and action at senior forums.
- Contribute to business cases, strategic rationale, and value creation narratives.
- Support integration planning and ongoing value realisation tracking in partnership with relevant teams.
- Own the end-to-end portfolio view of initiatives, ensuring clear prioritisation and capacity awareness, dependency and interlock management, early visibility of risks and issues, and a consistent delivery and reporting cadence.
- Design and maintain effective operational governance, including decision forums, escalation paths, and portfolio-level reporting.
- Improve execution discipline and transparency without introducing unnecessary bureaucracy.
- Influence and align senior stakeholders across product, technology, operations, and commercial teams.
What You Bring:
- Extensive experience in strategic planning, corporate strategy, corporate development, transformation, or top-tier strategy/management consulting roles.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving capability, with the ability to assess complex business issues, identify key trade-offs, and shape clear recommendations for senior leaders.
- Proven ability to translate broad strategic priorities into focused plans, sequencing, and execution choices that drive measurable business outcomes.
- Excellent analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to distil large volumes of information into concise, insight-led, decision-ready materials.
- Strong commercial and organisational judgement, including experience supporting prioritisation, business cases, value creation narratives, and portfolio-level decision making.
- Proven ability to operate as a senior individual contributor in complex, matrixed organisations, influencing senior stakeholders without formal authority.
- Strong executive-level communication skills, with confidence shaping narratives, challenging constructively, and bringing clarity to ambiguous or fast-moving situations.
- Experience in financial services, enterprise technology, or other regulated environments is preferred.
- A pragmatic, outcomes-focused mindset with a strong sense of ownership, pace, and accountability.
We are proud to offer a range of incentives to our employees worldwide. These benefits are available to everyone, regardless of grade, and reflect the values we stand for:
- Flexibility: Enjoy unlimited vacation, subject to local regulations and business priorities. Benefit from hybrid working arrangements and inclusive policies such as paid time off for voting, bereavement, and sick leave.
- Well‑being: Access confidential one‑to‑one support through our Employee Assistance Program, connect with our network of Wellbeing Champions and Gather Groups, and take part in monthly events and initiatives designed to help you thrive—inside and outside of work.
- Health & Financial Security: Medical, life and disability insurance, retirement plans, lifestyle, and other benefits.
- Sustainability: Paid time off for volunteering and donation‑matching opportunities to support causes that matter to you.
- Inclusion: Get involved in our inclusion communities, such as Count Me In, Culture@Finastra, Proud@Finastra, Disabilities@Finastra, and Women@Finastra—open to everyone who wants to participate and contribute.
- Career Development: Access online learning and accredited courses through our Skills & Career Navigator tool.
- Recognition: Take part in our global recognition program, Finastra Celebrates, and share your voice through regular employee surveys that help shape our culture and ways of working.
At Finastra, each individual is unique—bringing their own ideas, perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and experiences. We learn from one another, value what makes us different, and create an environment where everyone feels included, supported, and able to be their authentic selves.
Be unique. Be exceptional. Help us make a difference at Finastra.
Strategy, Governance and Operations Lead in London employer: Finastra Technology
Finastra is an exceptional employer that champions flexibility and well-being, offering unlimited vacation and hybrid working arrangements to support a healthy work-life balance. With a strong focus on career development through online learning and inclusive communities, employees are empowered to thrive in a diverse environment where their unique contributions are valued. Located at the heart of the financial services industry, this role provides a unique opportunity to influence strategic initiatives while collaborating with senior leaders across a global platform.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategy, Governance and Operations Lead in London
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Finastra Technology!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Strategy, Governance and Operations Lead position at Finastra Technology via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategy, Governance and Operations Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Finastra Technology.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Finastra Technology’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Finastra Technology
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Finastra Technology. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Finastra Technology. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Finastra Technology.
