Lead Strategy & Planning Consultant

Wells Fargo Bank•San Francisco, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Wells Fargo is seeking a Lead Strategy & Planning Consultant for the Payments Strategy team within Payments and Deposits in Consumer Banking and Lending. The role helps shape and advance strategic priorities across debit, digital wallets, money movement, and emerging payments. Consumer Banking and Lending serves customers nationwide through digital channels, retail branches, ATMs, and customer service centers, with a focus on innovation, transformation, and customer-centered experiences. The consultant analyzes industry trends, competitive developments, emerging technologies, and customer opportunities to develop actionable recommendations and lead complex, cross-functional initiatives. The role works with leaders across Product, Finance, Risk, Technology, Operations, and Strategy to evaluate payment economics, market opportunities, strategic investments, and partnerships. The position translates complex insights into strategic plans, influences senior leadership decisions, and supports the long-term growth and competitive position of Wells Fargo’s payments business. Relevant areas of interest include emerging trends in payments, digital commerce, embedded finance, artificial intelligence, and money movement. The role follows a hybrid work schedule, requires working on-site in accordance with current office requirements, and may require travel up to 5%. Required locations are San Francisco or Concord, California, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Requirements

At least 5 years of Strategy and Planning experience, or equivalent demonstrated through work experience, training, military experience, or education.
5 years of Corporate and Business as well as Payments Strategy experience.
5 years of consumer payments experience, including debit and credit cards, digital wallets, payment networks, merchant payments, and emerging payment solutions.
5 years of experience using customer, competitive, operational, and financial insights to develop strategic recommendations and guide investment decisions.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of U.S. consumer payments, including debit, digital wallets, real-time payments, card networks, merchant payments, and financial technology business models.
Experience developing payments, consumer banking, or digital strategies within a financial services organization.
Advanced understanding of payments economics, customer profitability, interchange, network incentives, and evolving payments business models.
Experience leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives from strategy development through execution and translating them into measurable business outcomes.
Advanced strategic, analytical, and financial capabilities, including financial modeling, market assessment, competitive analysis, and business case development.
Experience influencing senior leaders through data-driven insights, structured problem-solving, executive presentations, and compelling strategic narratives.
Experience evaluating strategic partnerships, investments, acquisitions, emerging technologies, and build-or-buy opportunities within the payments ecosystem.
Experience collaborating across Product, Technology, Operations, Risk, Finance, and Strategy within a complex, matrixed, and regulated environment.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage ambiguity, and influence outcomes without direct authority.
Proven experience within a leading management consulting firm, advising on complex business and strategic priorities.
Proven experience within a leading financial services or fintech organization, with exposure to payments strategy, products, or industry trends.
MBA or advanced degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Strategy, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of Consumer Payments strategies across debit, digital wallets, emerging payments, money movement, and customer engagement priorities.
Lead complex, large-scale strategic initiatives supporting Consumer Banking and Lending priorities and having broad organizational impact.
Identify growth opportunities, competitive threats, and payment industry shifts by evaluating consumer behavior, financial technology developments, and evolving payment ecosystems.
Develop actionable recommendations using customer insights, market intelligence, financial analysis, and long-term industry trends.
Apply knowledge of payment network economics, card ecosystems, digital wallets, real-time payments, and emerging technologies to inform strategic direction.
Analyze customer economics, payment profitability, market dynamics, and competitive positioning to support long-term planning and business decisions.
Evaluate strategic investments, partnerships, acquisitions, and build-or-buy opportunities, recommending actions aligned with business objectives, customer needs, and risk considerations.
Monitor developments across banks, financial technology companies, payment networks, technology platforms, and merchants; assess business implications and recommend responsive actions.
Collaborate and consult with senior leaders across Product, Finance, Risk, Technology, Operations, and Strategy to align priorities, resolve complex issues, and advance key initiatives.
Translate strategic priorities into business plans and lead cross-functional efforts to strengthen customer engagement, deepen customer relationships, and improve competitive positioning.
Develop executive presentations, strategic narratives, and recommendations to clarify complex issues, influence senior leadership discussions, and support informed decision-making.
Provide strategic guidance to less experienced team members and contribute to broader initiatives.
Fulfill applicable risk program and compliance obligations, follow Wells Fargo policies and procedures, and escalate and remediate issues appropriately.