The role

Head, Portfolio Lead reports into the VP, Delivery & Portfolio Management supporting the Enterprise Delivery Office (EDO) within technology. This role is accountable primarily for delivering the project and program portfolio within a CIO – Enterprise Security pillar, while other initiatives may be added as required to meet business objectives, ensuring alignment with Scotiabank’s business strategy.  

This role is a key advisor to leaders, providing strategic guidance, robust governance, and operational excellence to enable successful delivery of initiatives. This role champions a high-performance culture, fosters cross-functional collaboration, and ensures that all project and program activities support Scotiabank’s strategy. This Cybersecurity Program Leader is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive cybersecurity program that protects the organization's digital assets and supports business objectives. This role leads cross-functional teams, oversees security operations, and ensures compliance with industry standards and regulations.

• Across the portfolio, oversee the management of Cybersecurity program objectives, project coordination and enable activities between the governance, design, delivery and support of workstreams.
• Leverage robust project management skills, including agile and waterfall methodology, to lead the senior executive program streams, and manage multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget and quality standards.
• Ensure that program strategy and objectives are fulfilled within the established timelines and risks are managed and mitigated.
• Provide leadership for the assigned portfolio and serve as a key advisor to executive leadership on project prioritization, project risk management, and resource allocation.
• Provide support for planning and prioritizing initiatives across portfolios that support business strategy.
• Lead and guide project teams throughout all phases of program and project management including planning, execution, monitoring, and closure to ensure successful delivery of expected outcomes.
• Consistently interact with clients both in business and technology to manage project expectations and deliverables within allocated timelines and budget.
• Escalate critical issues to senior leadership for timely resolution.
• Monitor and report project governance and key performance indicators to leadership.
• Track portfolio progress, prepare and distribute status reports to internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate and motivate project management resources for quality delivery, including resource allocation and day-to-day people management.
• Responsible for establishing and managing portfolio integrated plan in collaboration with project delivery teams. Identify key stakeholders and involve subject matter experts as required.
• Identify and implement continuous improvements to project management methodologies, tools, and processes. Champion the adoption of best practices and drive operational excellence.
• Organize and lead portfolio status meetings.
• Conduct post-project/program evaluations and identify successful and unsuccessful elements to drive for continuous improvement of delivery.
• Understand how the Bank’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions. And ensure security is embedded in all processes and projects
• Create an environment in which their team pursues effective and efficient operations of their respective areas in accordance with Scotiabank’s Values, its Code of Conduct and the Global Sales Principles, while ensuring the adequacy, adherence to and effectiveness of day-to-day business controls to meet obligations with respect to operational, compliance, AML/ATF/sanctions and conduct risk.
• Build a high-performance environment and support a people strategy that attracts, retains, develops and motivates the team by fostering an inclusive work environment and using a coaching mindset and behaviors; communicate vision/values/business strategy; and manage succession and development planning for the team if applicable.