Director, Banking and Payments IT M&A – Due Diligence, Integration and Separation – Strategy

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee comprehensive Buy-Side and Sell-Side assessments across critical IT domains for potential client acquisitions, with a focus on banking / payments platforms and ecosystems; identify key IT risks, opportunities, and investments needed, and deliver executive-level due diligence reports with strategic recommendations
• Direct IT integration and separation initiatives from planning through execution for banking and payments-related transactions, including retail and commercial banking, merchant acquiring, issuing, processing, and digital payments capabilities; oversee development of IT current state assessments, entanglement identification, operating model definitions, synergies, and Day one and post-close plans. Platforms include Fiserv, FIS, Thought Machine and understanding of the data landscape in banking (e.g., Customer360, familiarity with key data platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks etc.)
• Develop and execute go-to-market strategies for Technology Mergers and Acquisitions offerings focused on payments, fintech enablement, platform modernization, and ecosystem integration; provide thought leadership on banking and payments technology architectures, including card networks, core banking platforms, fraud platforms, and modern cloud-native banking / payment stacks
• Establish and manage program governance frameworks, ensuring rigorous oversight of execution across complex, multi-vendor payments environments; lead development of governance work products including status reporting, risk management, and issue tracking; implement AI-powered tools for predictive analytics on project timelines and risks and collaborate with senior cross-functional teams to identify technology dependencies, risks, and opportunities across payments operations, product, risk, and compliance functions
• Lead strategic discussions and presentations with executive IT and business stakeholders, including CIOs, CTOs, and payments product leaders
• Manage efforts to mentor and develop junior staff, fostering deep payments technology expertise, delivery excellence across the team, and a culture of innovation with a focus on leveraging AI and other emerging technologies

Qualifications

• Minimum eight years of recent experience in technology/business consulting and/or technology leadership, with a proven track record of leading IT transformations and advising on complex Mergers and Acquisitions transactions
• Master's of Business Administration degree from an accredited college or university is preferred; Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Finance, or a related field is required
• Demonstrated success in leading high-impact IT-focused Mergers and Acquisitions projects with expertise in at least three of the following: system integration/separation, platform migration, IT architecture modernization, outsourcing of IT operations, or regulatory technology implementation; advanced program management skills, with the capacity to oversee large, complex projects and deliver strategic insights to executive audiences; familiarity with leveraging AI-powered platforms for due diligence, synergy analysis, and integration/separation planning is a significant plus
• Proven track record leading complex technology Mergers and Acquisitions engagements (pre- and post-deal) within the Financial Services industry, covering banking / payments sectors; in-depth knowledge of the technology and regulatory landscape specific to Financial Services, including experience with core banking/payments platforms and the IT implications of regulatory rules and changes
• Comprehensive understanding of IT best practices and enterprise IT ecosystems, including major ERP and business application platforms, IT solutions, systems, infrastructure, and cybersecurity
• Strong strategic thinking and leadership abilities with experience developing and executing IT strategies that align with business objectives; experience developing and executing go-to-market strategies incorporating AI-driven solutions and driving business growth in the M&A space, including client relationship management and engagement in business development activities; proven ability to lead and mentor cross-functional teams
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed to serve client needs