IT Operating Model and Strategy Advisory Lead

Join Mizuho as the IT Operating Model and Strategy Advisory Lead! The Office of Strategic Advisory is the strategic engine for Mizuho's global technology and operations transformation – helping to define global priorities, design target states, and accelerate cross-regional integration across the Americas (MUSO), EMEA, and APAC. Operating as an engagement-based internal advisory capability – similar to a leading consulting firm, but embedded within the organization – the function partners with senior leadership to solve the most complex, cross-functional and cross-regional challenges, reduce reliance on external consultants, and build durable internal intellectual capital and repeatable methodologies. The office is organized into three practice areas: Operating Model & Strategy, Global Integration & Transformation, and Program Incubation & Delivery Design. This role leads the Operating Model & Strategy practice – the firm's center of excellence for target state design. Reporting to the Head of the Office of Strategic Advisory, the Executive Director leading the Operating Model & Strategy practice owns the "target state design" agenda for Mizuho Technology and Operations. This executive architects target operating models, organizational and governance structures, and the strategic business cases that reduce run-the-bank cost and complexity while positioning the firm for scalable, AI-enabled growth. Operating with delegated Co-CIO authority on designated engagements, the leader convenes tower and regional leaders across MUSO, EMEA, and APAC, leads benchmarking and maturity diagnostics, and translates strategy into actionable design decisions that the towers and PMOs execute. The role is engagement-based by design: each initiative is scoped, structured, and then transitioned for ongoing execution, with value realization tracked to support the function's self-funding model. Key Responsibilities Lead the Operating Model & Strategy practice as the firm's center of excellence for target operating model and organizational design across IT, operations, and corporate functions.Design target operating models, organizational structures, governance frameworks, and decision rights that reduce run-the-bank (RTB) cost and complexity.Develop shared services, nearshore, and location strategies, including build-vs-buy and outsourcing / partnership strategy.Lead benchmarking, maturity assessments, and strategic diagnostics to establish baselines and quantify the opportunity.Build financial and strategic business cases – quantifying current spend, savings, investment, and payback – to support executive and steering committee decisions.Partner on cross-regional integration and shared-capability design (e.g., Mizuho Next) and global capability center strategy (e.g., Mizuho Pune).Scope and structure engagements end to end – from problem framing through solution design – then transition to the relevant tower or PMO for ongoing execution.Track value realization across engagements in support of the function's self-funding model and the reduction of external consultant dependency.Convene and influence senior stakeholders across MUSO, EMEA, APAC, and Head Office, operating with delegated Co-CIO authority on designated engagements.Build repeatable methodologies, tools, and internal intellectual capital that scale the practice and strengthen Mizuho's institutional knowledge over time. Qualifications 10+ years of experience in technology strategy, target operating model design, and organizational design, ideally within financial services and/or a top-tier management consulting firm.Demonstrated track record architecting target operating models, governance frameworks, and shared services / global capability center (GCC) strategies at enterprise scale.Deep expertise in benchmarking, maturity assessment, financial and strategic business case development, and build-vs-buy / outsourcing strategy.Experience leading complex, cross-functional and cross-regional transformation engagements and influencing C-suite and executive stakeholders.Exceptional executive communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate with delegated CIO authority across organizational boundaries.Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams and to develop repeatable consulting methodologies and internal intellectual capital.Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This is a US-based role that follows a hybrid working arrangement of 5 days out of every 10 business days in the office.Bachelor's degree required; MBA or an advanced degree in a related field strongly preferred. The expected base salary ranges from $200k-$275k. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, certifications and licenses obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered. In addition to salary and a generous employee benefits package, successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus. Other Requirements Mizuho has in place a hybrid working program, with varying opportunities for remote work depending on the nature of the role, needs of your department, as well as local laws and regulatory obligations. Roles in some of our departments have greater in-office requirements that will be communicated to you as part of the recruitment process. Company Overview Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. is the 15th largest bank in the world as measured by total assets of ~$2 trillion. Mizuho's 60,000 employees worldwide offer comprehensive financial services to clients in 35 countries and 800 offices throughout the Americas, EMEA and Asia. Mizuho Americas is a leading provider of corporate and investment banking services to clients in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Through its acquisition of Greenhill , Mizuho provides M&A, restructuring and private capital advisory capabilities across Americas, Europe and Asia. Mizuho Americas employs approximately 3,500 professionals, and its capabilities span corporate and investment banking, capital markets, equity and fixed income sales & trading, derivatives, FX, custody and research. Visit www.mizuhoamericas.com. Mizuho Americas offers a competitive total rewards package. We are an EEO/AA Employer - M/F/Disability/Veteran. We participate in the E-Verify program. We maintain a drug-free workplace and reserve the right to require pre- and post-hire drug testing as permitted by applicable law.