Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager – Cloud & GenAI Financial Operations

M&T Bank•Buffalo, NY

4d•$107,500 - $179,100•Onsite

About The Position

Works closely with senior managers within a division and the Bank to manage key initiatives, including supporting critical Division/Department cross-functional projects related to strategic objectives of the Bank, improving risk management and ensuring efficiency/sustainability of core processes and positioning the Bank to meet evolving regulatory expectations. Concurrently manages large-scale projects while coordinating and managing initiatives at the division and department level. Leads design, planning and implementation for time-sensitive, critical programs and/or projects. Leads facilitation of industry groups that meet regularly to share best practices and promote industry advocacy efforts. Provides strategic leadership for Cloud and Generative AI Financial Operations (FinOps), partnering across Technology, Finance, Architecture, Engineering, and Business teams to drive cost transparency, optimize technology investments, improve financial accountability, and maximize the business value of cloud and AI capabilities. Establishes governance, reporting, forecasting, and performance management practices to support sustainable growth, efficient resource utilization, and measurable return on technology investments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 11 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 7 years’ relevant work experience
Minimum of 2 years’ managerial experience
Excellent analytical ability
Creative problem-solving skills
Excellent interpersonal skills necessary for business partner relationships within and outside the organization
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience communicating professionally at many different levels
Self-motivated, results driven, and well organized
Experience handling multiple tasks and working under time constraints in support of various assignments
Experience thriving in a fast-paced environment
Highly proficient with personal computers and pertinent spreadsheet, database, graphing, and presentation software

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Math, Accounting, Engineering, or Business Administration; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 8 years' relevant work experience.
Minimum of 3 years' managerial experience.
Banking/financial industry experience.
Experience leading or supporting Cloud Financial Operations (FinOps), Technology Business Management (TBM), IT Financial Management, or related technology cost management disciplines.
Experience developing cloud cost optimization strategies, financial forecasting models, consumption reporting, and technology investment business cases.
Knowledge of AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and associated financial management and governance practices.
Experience supporting Generative AI initiatives, including financial planning, usage monitoring, cost management, and value measurement.
Familiarity with cloud cost management and FinOps tooling.
Strong understanding of technology portfolio management, financial planning processes, and business value realization methodologies.
FinOps Certified Practitioner or related certifications preferred.
Six Sigma, Lean, Process Improvement, or project management-related education.
Experience with SQL, programming and statistical software.
Experience with financial, regulatory and/or process analysis, and technical writing.
Curious and innovative.

Responsibilities

Lead efforts to define scope and approach for Division/Department initiatives.
Direct and monitor resources.
Direct complex, critical, and highly visible projects for division.
Provide analytical expertise to support critical Bank-wide or divisional initiatives that may include planning, design and analysis of results, presenting content at various governance functions, developing comprehensive content/materials, analyzing complex data sets, or analyzing and optimizing data structures.
Consider stakeholder perspectives, help build consensus, address objections, help develop solutions, and drive action.
Interact with senior management (internal/external) on a regular basis to obtain pertinent information.
Serve as liaison between the department and other Bank personnel on various projects.
Lead Cloud and Generative AI Financial Operations (FinOps) initiatives, including governance, budgeting, forecasting, consumption management, optimization, and value realization across cloud platforms and AI services.
Develop and maintain financial management frameworks that provide visibility into cloud and AI costs, usage trends, financial performance, and business outcomes.
Partner with Technology, Finance, Procurement, Architecture, and Engineering teams to identify opportunities for cost optimization, efficiency improvements, and investment prioritization.
Establish and facilitate governance routines, executive reporting, and performance metrics related to cloud and AI spending, utilization, savings opportunities, and return on investment.
Drive adoption of financial accountability practices, including showback/chargeback models, cost allocation methodologies, unit cost metrics, and consumption transparency.
Evaluate financial impacts of emerging technologies and strategic investments, including cloud migration programs, AI platform adoption, and enterprise modernization initiatives.
Analyze complex operational, financial, and consumption data sets to provide actionable insights that support decision-making, risk management, and strategic planning.
Monitor industry trends and best practices related to Cloud FinOps, AI governance, and technology financial management to recommend and implement continuous improvements.
Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.
Understand and adhere to the Company's risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company's Risk Appetite.
Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
Complete other related duties as assigned.