Program Manager

About Us : DirectFN is a leading Capital Market Industry (CMI) Financial Technology software and Content provider, company (now owned by Saudi Tadawul Group / WAMID) specializes in providing brokerage, asset, and custody management solutions, along with market information screens – as productized services. Our innovative products, services, and solutions empower both financial institutions and individuals to optimize their operations and enhance client satisfaction I. JOB SUMMARY The Program Manager at DirectFN is responsible for managing a portfolio of related client delivery projects as a cohesive programme, ensuring that interdependencies are managed, shared resources are optimized, and overall programme outcomes are achieved. This role provides a senior layer of delivery leadership above individual project managers—aligning multiple concurrent implementations under a unified programme governance framework, managing client relationships at a strategic level, and ensuring that the collective delivery of related projects creates integrated value for clients. The Program Manager works closely with the PMO Manager, Delivery Directors, and the Chief Delivery Officer to maintain programme-level visibility and drive successful outcomes across complex, multi-stream engagements. II. Key Responsibilities1. Programme Planning & Governance • Define and own the programme plan for assigned groups of related delivery projects, establishing an integrated schedule, shared resource plan, and programme-level governance framework. • Identify and actively manage interdependencies, shared milestones, and cross-project risks across the programme. • Establish and chair programme governance forums, including steering committees, programme reviews, and cross-project coordination meetings. 2. Multi-Project Delivery Oversight • Provide oversight and direction to Project Managers within the programme, ensuring each project is aligned with programme objectives and progressing on schedule. • Maintain a consolidated view of programme health by tracking delivery status, risks, issues, budget utilization, and milestone achievement across all component projects. • Intervene and provide delivery leadership support where individual projects face significant challenges or escalated risks. 3. Strategic Client Engagement • Serve as the senior client relationship owner for programme-level engagements, engaging with executive sponsors and senior stakeholders at client organizations. • Lead programme-level client governance meetings, executive briefings, and strategic delivery reviews. • Manage client expectations at the programme level, ensuring alignment on scope, timelines, priorities, and outcomes across multiple workstreams. 4. Resource & Budget Management • Oversee programme-level resource planning and allocation, coordinating with the PMO Manager and Delivery Directors to ensure the right capacity and skills are available. • Monitor programme budget utilization, flag variances, and work with delivery management to maintain financial discipline across the programme. 5. Risk, Issue & Change Management • Own the programme-level risk and issue register, ensuring all programme risks are identified, assessed, and actively managed. • Manage programme-level change requests, assessing impact across all component projects and coordinating approvals with relevant stakeholders. • Escalate high-priority programme risks and issues to the PMO Manager and Chief Delivery Officer with recommended mitigation actions. 6. Reporting & Continuous Improvement • Produce programme status reports and executive dashboards for the PMO Manager, Chief Delivery Officer, and client leadership, providing an accurate and timely view of programme performance. • Lead programme retrospectives and drive lessons learned into future programme and project planning. • Contribute to the continuous improvement of programme management practices and delivery standards within DirectFN. III. Qualifications & Requirements • Bachelor's degree in Business, Project Management, Computer Science, or a related field; a Master's degree is an advantage. • Minimum of 10 years of experience in project or programme management, including at least 4 years managing multi-project programmes in a technology delivery or professional services environment. • Proven ability to manage complex, interdependent delivery programmes with multiple workstreams and stakeholders. • Strong understanding of programme and project management methodologies, including Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid approaches. • Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills. • Proficiency with programme management and reporting tools such as MS Project, Jira, Smartsheet, or equivalent. • Demonstrated experience managing significant programme budgets and multi-disciplinary resource pools across concurrent workstreams. • Experience in fintech, capital markets, or financial services technology delivery is preferred. • Fluent in English (spoken and written); Arabic is an advantage. IV. Preferred Qualifications • PgMP (Program Management Professional), PMP, or MSP certification. • Experience managing delivery programmes for capital markets technology solutions, including Trading Platforms, BMS, or AMS implementations. • Familiarity with GCC client delivery environments and the stakeholder dynamics of financial institutions in the region. • Candidates currently based in Kuwait are preferred. • Previous experience in the banking or brokerage industry is highly preferred. V. Core Skills • Programme Leadership: Provides clear direction and strategic oversight across multiple concurrent delivery projects. • Stakeholder Management: Builds and sustains executive-level client relationships with credibility and professionalism. • Integrated Planning: Designs and manages complex programme plans that account for interdependencies and shared resources. • Risk Management: Proactively identifies and manages programme-level risks before they impact delivery outcomes. • Communication: Produces insightful programme reports and confidently leads executive governance forums. • Delivery Focus: Maintains a strong focus on programme outcomes and drives accountability across project teams. VI. Key Result Areas (KRAs) • Programme Delivery: Consistent achievement of programme milestones and outcomes across all component projects. • Client Satisfaction: High satisfaction from programme-level client stakeholders regarding delivery quality, communication, and partnership. • Risk & Issue Management: Programme risks and issues proactively managed with minimal impact on delivery outcomes. • Portfolio Visibility: Accurate and timely programme reporting that supports informed decision-making by the PMO Manager and Chief Delivery Officer. • Team Enablement: Project Managers within the programme are effectively supported, aligned, and empowered to deliver successful outcomes. •

Bachelor's degree in Business, Project Management, Computer Science, or a related field; a Master's degree is an advantage. Minimum of 10 years of experience in project or programme management, including at least 4 years managing multi-project programmes in a technology delivery or professional services environment. Proven ability to manage complex, interdependent delivery programmes with multiple workstreams and stakeholders. Strong understanding of programme and project management methodologies, including Waterfall, Agile, and Hybrid approaches. Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills. Proficiency with programme management and reporting tools such as MS Project, Jira, Smartsheet, or equivalent. Demonstrated experience managing significant programme budgets and multi-disciplinary resource pools across concurrent workstreams. Experience in fintech, capital markets, or financial services technology delivery is preferred. Fluent in English (spoken and written); Arabic is an advantage.

1. Programme Planning & Governance: Define and own the programme plan for assigned groups of related delivery projects, establishing an integrated schedule, shared resource plan, and programme-level governance framework. Identify and actively manage interdependencies, shared milestones, and cross-project risks across the programme. Establish and chair programme governance forums, including steering committees, programme reviews, and cross-project coordination meetings. 2. Multi-Project Delivery Oversight: Provide oversight and direction to Project Managers within the programme, ensuring each project is aligned with programme objectives and progressing on schedule. Maintain a consolidated view of programme health by tracking delivery status, risks, issues, budget utilization, and milestone achievement across all component projects. Intervene and provide delivery leadership support where individual projects face significant challenges or escalated risks. 3. Strategic Client Engagement: Serve as the senior client relationship owner for programme-level engagements, engaging with executive sponsors and senior stakeholders at client organizations. Lead programme-level client governance meetings, executive briefings, and strategic delivery reviews. Manage client expectations at the programme level, ensuring alignment on scope, timelines, priorities, and outcomes across multiple workstreams. 4. Resource & Budget Management: Oversee programme-level resource planning and allocation, coordinating with the PMO Manager and Delivery Directors to ensure the right capacity and skills are available. Monitor programme budget utilization, flag variances, and work with delivery management to maintain financial discipline across the programme. 5. Risk, Issue & Change Management: Own the programme-level risk and issue register, ensuring all programme risks are identified, assessed, and actively managed. Manage programme-level change requests, assessing impact across all component projects and coordinating approvals with relevant stakeholders. Escalate high-priority programme risks and issues to the PMO Manager and Chief Delivery Officer with recommended mitigation actions. 6. Reporting & Continuous Improvement: Produce programme status reports and executive dashboards for the PMO Manager, Chief Delivery Officer, and client leadership, providing an accurate and timely view of programme performance. Lead programme retrospectives and drive lessons learned into future programme and project planning. Contribute to the continuous improvement of programme management practices and delivery standards within DirectFN.