Senior Consultant-Implementations

Cornerstone Advisors of Arizona, LLC•, AZ

9d•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Implementation Consultant leads the successful delivery of complex system implementation engagements for banks and credit unions. The role directs implementations of core banking systems, digital platforms, payment solutions, and loan origination systems, with accountability for project governance, client readiness, and delivery quality. The Senior Consultant applies advanced expertise in banking operations, project management, and business analysis to guide client decisions, coordinate cross-functional teams, and resolve complex implementation challenges. The position serves as a trusted advisor to client leaders, internal project teams, and third-party vendors while helping ensure engagements remain aligned with scope, schedule, budget, and strategic objectives. The role provides day-to-day project leadership, coaching, and mentorship to consultants, analysts, and client project resources, but has no direct reports. It operates with a high degree of independence in managing engagements and making delivery decisions within approved scope; significant scope, financial, contractual, or strategic matters are escalated to leadership. The position is remote in the United States, with travel of up to 50%.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Information Systems, or a related field.
5–8 years of experience in financial services, consulting, or system implementations, including responsibility for leading complex workstreams or engagements.
Experience leading implementation activities for banks or credit unions and working directly with client stakeholders.
Advanced knowledge of core banking systems, digital banking platforms, payments, loan origination systems, or related financial technology solutions.
Strong understanding of bank and credit union operations, including deposits, lending, payments, and back-office processes.
Demonstrated project leadership managing complex workstreams, dependencies, resources, and stakeholder commitments.
Advanced business analysis capabilities, including requirements definition, process mapping, operating model design, and impact assessment.
Strong knowledge of vendor management, system integrations, testing, data conversion, and implementation governance.
Advanced proficiency with project management tools such as MS Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Proficiency with process mapping, requirements documentation, and executive reporting tools.
Strong command of Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid implementation methodologies.
Advanced understanding of system integrations, testing, data conversion, cutover, and go-live readiness.
Ability to establish project governance, manage integrated plans, and communicate engagement performance to executive stakeholders.
Executive presence and confidence facilitating discussions with senior client and vendor stakeholders.
Strong leadership, coaching, and team coordination skills without relying on formal authority.
Clear, concise written and verbal communication for technical, operational, and executive audiences.
Sound judgment, accountability, adaptability, and composure when managing complex or high-impact issues.
Strong relationship-building, negotiation, conflict-resolution, and client service skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading core banking, digital banking, payments, lending, or loan origination platform implementations.
Project management certification (PMP or equivalent) or comparable implementation leadership experience.
Experience with system integrations, testing, data conversion, cutover planning, executive governance, and post-go-live stabilization.

Responsibilities

Lead mid-sized to large, complex implementation engagements and oversee multiple workstreams.
Direct joint project kickoff and governance sessions with clients and solution vendors to align on scope, decision rights, roles, milestones, and escalation paths.
Design and facilitate discovery and future-state workshops to identify process improvements, operating impacts, dependencies, and business requirements.
Develop, validate, and manage integrated project plans covering tasks, dependencies, timelines, resource needs, critical paths, and stakeholder commitments.
Coordinate with third-party vendors on interfaces, integrations, testing, conversion, readiness, and deployment activities.
Monitor engagement performance, resource utilization, budget, quality, and milestone achievement; recommend corrective actions when performance varies from plan.
Anticipate, assess, and manage project risks, issues, and decisions; facilitate resolution and escalate matters requiring executive action.
Maintain accountability for project scope, schedule, budget, governance, and deliverable quality while managing client expectations.
Review and approve implementation artifacts, including requirements, test plans, training materials, conversion strategies, readiness assessments, executive reports, and decision logs.
Lead mock conversions, cutover planning, go-live readiness reviews, and post-implementation stabilization activities.
Evaluate complex client environments to identify operational constraints, delivery risks, root causes, and interdependencies.
Develop practical, scalable, client-focused solutions to operational, system, and organizational challenges; use structured analysis to resolve issues across design, testing, conversion, deployment, and stabilization.
Evaluate trade-offs and recommend options that balance client priorities, risk, cost, timing, and implementation objectives.
Anticipate emerging risks, establish mitigation and contingency plans, and adjust implementation approaches as conditions change.
Provide day-to-day project leadership, coaching, and mentorship to consultants, analysts, and client project resources.