2027 Executive Associate Program - Financial Planning & Analysis

Manufacturers and Traders Trust•Buffalo, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Associate Program is designed for 2nd year MBA students who seek to accelerate their career within M&T Bank. Program hires will undergo an immersive leadership experience designed to develop leadership competencies and strategic capabilities. Throughout the first year, the incoming cohort will be introduced to Program alumni, Bank-wide leadership, and collaborate with peers to drive change to support the vision and goals of the Bank. The Finance organization plays a critical role in helping M&T Bank achieve its strategic objectives by providing financial insight, performance analysis, and decision support across the enterprise. Through financial planning, forecasting, business performance management, and strategic analysis, the team partners with senior leaders to evaluate opportunities, allocate resources, and drive long-term growth. The Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and Business Line Finance teams serve as trusted advisors to executive leadership, translating financial results into actionable insights that support business decisions. By partnering across the organization, the team helps leaders understand performance drivers, assess investment opportunities, measure progress against strategic goals, and ensure the efficient deployment of capital and resources. As an Executive Associate within FP&A, you’ll support finance leadership by providing analytical, strategic, and project support related to business planning, financial performance, and enterprise priorities.

Requirements

Completed MBA from an accredited business school.
Minimum of 3 years’ professional work experience
Demonstrated leadership potential, as evidenced through previous work experience, extracurricular activities, or community involvement
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization
Strong analytical skills
Strong problem-solving skills to think strategically and critically analyze complex business challenges
Strong project management skills to handle multiple priorities and deadlines

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in Finance, Treasury, Accounting, or related function; understanding and working knowledge of Financial statements
Experienced or expert knowledge of Excel and PPT
Understanding of leveraging AI tools to support business initiatives
Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and technical tools to support research and analysis
Ability to proactively identify opportunities and solve complex business problems
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders through presentations, executive summaries, case competitions, consulting projects, leadership roles, or professional work experience.
Strong presentation skills and the ability to tailor messages to executive audiences

Responsibilities

Support the development and execution of the Bank’s annual strategic planning process, including financial target setting, performance measurement, and enterprise reporting.
Conduct financial, operational, and strategic analyses to inform business decisions, capital allocation, and long-term growth objectives.
Partner with Finance leaders and business line stakeholders to evaluate business performance, profitability trends, and return on investment opportunities.
Assist in preparing materials, analyses, and recommendations for senior leadership forums, including the Strategic Investment Committee (SIC) and Resource Allocation Committee (RAC).
Assess business cases for major strategic initiatives by validating assumptions, analyzing costs and benefits, and identifying key risks and opportunities.
Support enterprise investment governance processes by tracking initiative performance, resource utilization, and expected business outcomes.
Contribute to the implementation and optimization of profitability measurement tools and reporting capabilities across business units and product lines.
Analyze product, client, and business segment profitability to identify opportunities for growth, efficiency, and improved financial performance.
Support the monthly earnings forecasting process by gathering financial inputs, validating assumptions, preparing analyses, and developing leadership reporting materials.
Synthesize complex financial and operational information into clear presentations and recommendations for executive leadership.
Collaborate with senior leaders across Finance and business lines to support strategic initiatives, special projects, and enterprise priorities.
Develop executive-level presentations, dashboards, and briefing materials that facilitate strategic decision-making.
Conduct research and benchmarking to evaluate industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging opportunities impacting the Bank's financial performance.
Complete project/management related assignments in field of expertise within the Executive Associate Program.