Strategic Initiatives Lead

Hybrid Client Relationship Manager

This role works closely with the executive to manage key initiatives, including supporting critical cross-functional projects related to strategic objectives of the Bank. This role will specifically be involved in working with the executive and the organization on how we manage, grow and protect our most important client relationships and partnerships with a targeted approach on the architecture and governance that make those relationships succession. This role will lead certain aspects of and/or supports design, planning and implementation for time-sensitive, critical, initiatives and/or projects. Supports facilitation of direct client engagement, meetings, industry groups that meet regularly to share best practices, partnerships and promote advocacy efforts.

Design and maintain frameworks, playbooks and rules of engagement that ensure consistency, excellence and innovation in how we approach our most critical external relationships to achieve short and long-term business objectives and strategic outcomes.

Partner with business leaders, relationship managers and executive sponsors to ensure alignment between business objectives and engagement strategies.

Lead cross-functional working groups to pilot new engagement models, measure impact and scale best practices.

Monitor industry trends and competitor approaches to inform and evolve our frameworks.

Serve as a thought partner to senior leadership on strategic client and partnership matters.

Establish metrics and feedback loops to assess the effectiveness of engagement strategies and drive continuous improvement.

Collaborate with CRM teams (e.g., Salesforce) to centralize and organize data on top client relationships and partnerships, ensuring executives and teams have broad, real-time visibility into engagement activities and opportunities.

Ensuring relationship and partnership data is visible and actionable through integrated tooling (e.g., Salesforce), enabling better decision-making and collaboration.

Consider stakeholder perspectives, address objections, help develop solutions, and drive action. Interact with senior management (internal/external) to obtain pertinent information.

Understand and adhere to the Company's risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company's Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.

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.

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 9 years' higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 5 years' relevant work experience.

Strategic thinker with experience designing and implementing client or partnership management frameworks at scale.

Strong collaborator and influencer, able to work across functions and levels.

Analytical and creative, with a passion for continuous improvement.

Strong attention to detail.

Strong ability to lead teams.

Excellent project management skills.

Strong analytical ability.

Creative problem-solving skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills necessary for business partner relationships within and outside the organization.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to communicate professionally at many different levels.

Self-motivated.

Results-driven.

Well-organized.

Ability to handle multiple tasks and work under time constraints in support of various assignments.

Proficient with personal computers and pertinent spreadsheet, database, graphing, and presentation software.

Bachelors' degree in Finance, Economics, Math, Accounting, Engineering, or Business Administration; Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or advanced degree.

Familiarity with CRM systems (especially Salesforce) and a track record of driving adoption and integration of tooling to support relationship management.

Minimum of 6 years' relevant work experience.

Banking/financial industry experience.

Six Sigma, Lean or 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.