Central 1 cooperatively empowers credit unions and other financial institutions to deliver banking choice to Canadians. Central 1 provides critical services at scale to enable a thriving credit union system. We do this by collaborating with our clients, developing strategies, products and services to support the financial well-being of their more than 5 million diverse customers in communities across Canada. For more information, visit www.central1.com .

What we offer:

• Work-life flexibility

• Hybrid work environment

• Variable annual incentive plan

• Generous annual vacation allotment

• Top-notch flexible benefits plan including family building and gender affirmation

• Retirement Plan, matched contributions at 6%

• Access to a learning platform and educational assistance support

• Access to a virtual wellness platform

• Career development opportunities

• Wellness Flex Fund to support personal interest and activities

• Day off to volunteer in your community and other paid time off options

• Corporate discounts

• subject to employment agreement

Job Summary:

The Head of Strategic Portfolio Management will lead the design and implementation of the Strategic Portfolio Management Office (SPMO), serving as the organization's credible lens on portfolio-wide prioritization, capacity, and value delivery. Working closely with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, you will act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, guiding a small, high-performing team to build out and continuously mature the SPMO's mandate.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact role , purpose-built to bring strategic rigour and enterprise-wide focus to Central 1's portfolio of initiatives.

Whatyou’llbe doing:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute the vision and strategic direction for the SPMO to align with organization al strategy .

• Work closely with stakeholders at all levels of the organization to ensure project priorities align with business objectives and drive business value.

Governance and Risk Management:

• Implement and refine governance structures and processes to enable effective and efficient portfolio/project execution.

• Provide oversight of portfolio risks, ensuring proactive risk management strategies are implemented and executed effectively, and issues are escalated in a timely and transparent manner .

• Ensure portfolio impacts are accurately reflected in Financial Forecasts (in collaboration with the Finance FP&A team) .

Project Portfolio Management:

• Holistically evaluate and o versee the ongoing review of the enterprise project portfolio, including IT initiatives and named projects, to ensure alignment with business priorities, strategic objectives , and regulatory requirements.

• Develop and implement capacity planning processes to understand enterprise-wide capacity to deliver on strategic initiatives .

Business Cases Governance and Risk Management:

• Establish organization-wide standards for business case development, ensuring consistency , rigour and objectivity through the evaluation process.

• Develop and institutionalize a benefits realization framework that keeps the organization focused on ROI and measurable outcomes .

• Establish intake process for non- technology initiatives.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Build and lead a small, high-performing team while f oster ing a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and knowledge sharing .

Effective and Impactful communication:

• Adopt strategies to ensure communication with all stakeholders is concise and impactful .

• Develop and productionize impactful and insightful portfolio reporting .

Whatyou’llhave:

• Bachelor’s degree in business , Finance, Engineering, or related field

• MBA preferred

• 15+ years managing complex, enterprise-wide project portfolios, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role

• Proven track record leading a Portfolio Management Office, Transformation Office, or equivalent strategic function with measurable outcomes

• Experience working directly with executive leadership teams in large, matrixed organizations

• Background in financial services or a similarly complex, regulated environment is an asset

• Sharp strategic and analytical thinker with a track record of driving enterprise-wide business outcomes

• Exceptional communicator and stakeholder manager - able to influence senior leaders and navigate competing priorities

• Strong financial acumen, including budget management, capital allocation, and ROI analysis

• Experienced in change management and leading organizational transformation

• Familiarity with portfolio management tools (e.g., MS Project, JIRA) and delivery methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, hybrid)

Salary range:$210,000 - $220,000 + 29% - 43.5% variable compensation

The salary represents the job rate determined for the successful candidate who is fully competent in the role. The actual salary will vary depending on market conditions and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training.

#LI-Hybrid

Central 1 does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to screen, assess, or select applicants during our recruitment process. This job posting is for an existing, specific vacancy within our organization. All applications will be considered exclusively for the position described in this posting.

Central 1 is an equal opportunity employer and committed to building an inclusive workforce by creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong and has the opportunity to be successful. We welcome all applicants to join our diverse workforce and we will provide an accessible candidate experience including, but not limited to accommodations to interview sites and alternate formats upon request to our Recruitment team.