Execution Lead, Strategic Initiatives Office

Janney•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Execution Lead, Strategic Initiatives Office (SIO) reports to the Head of Strategic Initiatives and plays a critical role in translating strategy into execution across Janney’s most important cross-functional initiatives. This role partners closely with business leaders, functional teams, initiative owners, and initiative sponsors to drive momentum, manage complexity, and ensure initiatives deliver clear, sustainable business outcomes. This position is designed for a hands-on execution and project management leader – someone who brings structure to ambiguity, exercises strong judgment, and thrives in moving complex initiatives from concept through delivery with clarity and accountability. What you are good at: Execution Leadership: You take ownership of initiatives and drive them forward with urgency and discipline. You ensure plans turn into action and commitments turn into measurable results. Cross-Functional Influence: You work effectively across business and support teams, aligning stakeholders, resolving trade-offs, and maintaining focus on shared objectives without formal authority. Clarity and Communication: You translate complex initiatives into clear priorities, milestones, and updates. You communicate progress, risks, and decisions in a way that builds confidence and trust. Problem Solving in Motion: You anticipate risks, identify dependencies, and proactively address issues before they slow progress and surface options and recommendations where decisions are needed. Change Enablement: You support the adoption of new processes, tools, and capabilities by helping teams integrate change into existing workflows and operating models.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
7+ years leading execution of complex, cross-functional initiatives in financial services or other highly regulated environments, with a strong bias toward results
Proven ability to operate in ambiguity, bring structure to evolving priorities, and translate strategy into actionable, achievable plans
Strong execution presence and influence, partnering effectively with senior leaders and cross-functional teams without formal authority
Experience driving change initiatives, process improvements, and technology-enabled modernization, integrating new capabilities into existing workflows and operating models
Ability to synthesize quantitative and qualitative data into clear insights, recommendations, and executive-level communications
Strong organizational, prioritization, risk awareness, and financial judgment in fast-paced environments

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of the wealth technology landscape and emerging technologies (e.g., AI)

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day execution of cross-functional strategic initiatives under the direction of the Head of the Strategic Initiatives Office
Translate strategic objectives into actionable execution plans, milestones, and deliverables
Coordinate work across multiple teams to ensure alignment, accountability, and timely delivery
Monitor progress, risks, and dependencies; surface insights, recommendations, and trade-offs to initiative owners and sponsors to support informed decision-making
Prepare concise updates and materials for senior leadership and key stakeholders with clarity on decisions, risks, and impacts. Facilitate working sessions to drive decisions, resolve blockers, and maintain momentum.
Partner with and coach initiative owners to strengthen execution discipline and internal change capabilities, driving accountability and sustained momentum
Support the definition and tracking of success measures and key performance indicators (KPIs)
Conduct initiative-level analysis to assess business impact, inform prioritization, and support leadership decision-making
Ensure deliverables are clearly documented, implemented, and embedded into ongoing operations. Support proofs of concept (POCs), pilots, and rollout of new tools, processes, or capabilities including digital/technology-enabled enhancements where relevant.
Maintain initiative dashboards, artifacts, and documentation in alignment with SIO governance
Escalate risks, issues, and decisions appropriately to enable timely resolution. Research, vet, negotiate with, and manage critical vendors.