Director of Operations, Planning & Analysis (OPA)

MidFirst Bank•Oklahoma City, OK

About The Position

MidFirst Bank is seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Operations, Planning & Analysis (OPA) to lead one of the Bank’s vital, strategic positions. This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the OPA department, which includes multiple managers and a team of more than a dozen business analysts and project professionals. The Director will take responsibility for and oversee project and portfolio management, including the processes, governance, and technology platforms that power it as well as oversight of the business analyst function. This position reports to the SVP, Director of Digital Advancement and serves as a key strategic partner to senior leaders across the bank, ensuring that the company's technology and strategic project portfolio is well-governed, transparently managed, and consistently delivered.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
8+ years of progressive experience in project management, portfolio management, business analysis, or operations planning
4+ years in a leadership role managing multi-level teams (managers and individual contributors)
Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior and executive audiences
Strong writing skills, with the ability to provide written updates and oversee written communication for quarterly and annual reports
Proven track record of successfully governing enterprise-level project and technology portfolios
Demonstrated experience owning and administering Project & Work Management tools and platforms
Deep knowledge of project management methodologies, including Waterfall, Agile, and hybrid approaches
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; able to synthesize complex portfolio data into clear, actionable insights
Collaborative leadership style with a strong service orientation and the ability to build trust across the organization

Nice To Haves

Experience in banking or financial services strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team
Provide leadership for the OPA department, overseeing project allocation, project performance, and acting as a mentor for managers and analysts
Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Coach, develop, and mentor team members, and own all aspects of performance management, career development, and department staffing
Own Project & Portfolio Management
Serve as the bank's primary authority for project and portfolio management practices, standards, and governance
Oversee the Project & Work Management System and ensure the tools effectively support planning, tracking, and reporting across the enterprise
Maintain visibility into the full portfolio of technology and strategic initiatives, ensuring projects are appropriately prioritized, resourced, and progressing toward delivery
Partner with Senior Leadership
Build trusted relationships with senior leaders across the Bank to align the project portfolio with the company's strategic priorities
Facilitate executive-level conversations on project status, prioritization, resource trade-offs, and risk
Deliver clear, data-driven reporting and briefings that enable informed decision-making at the highest levels of the organization
Oversee the Business Analyst Function
Lead and provide direction for the business analyst team, setting standards for how requirements are gathered, documented, and delivered
Ensure the BA function serves as a strong bridge between business stakeholders and technology, driving solutions that meet business needs efficiently and effectively
Drive Strategic Planning & Operational Excellence
Lead OPA's contribution to annual and quarterly planning processes, including budgeting, resource planning and reporting
Continuously evaluate and improve departmental processes, methodologies, and tools to maximize quality and efficiency
Stay current on industry best practices and bring forward innovative approaches to portfolio governance and project delivery