Principal Consultant

Role Description 

The Principal Consultant in Banking & Finance will play a crucial role in leading our consultancy's efforts to transform and innovate within the banking sector. This position is responsible for providing expert advice and strategies to our clients, focusing on procurement, bank systems and processes, and leveraging digital strategies to drive efficiencies, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of the financial industry's challenges and opportunities, coupled with a proven track record in delivering impactful consulting projects.  

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Consulting: Offer expert advice on procurement strategies, optimizing bank systems and processes to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. 

Digital Transformation: Lead digital innovation projects, identifying and implementing cutting-edge technologies that align with our clients' strategic goals. 

Process Optimization: Conduct thorough analyses of existing banking operations to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, proposing and implementing improvements that streamline operations. 

Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders in the banking sector, understanding their unique challenges and providing tailored, impactful solutions. 

Thought Leadership: Stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in banking and finance, sharing insights with clients and the internal team to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation. 

Strategic Architect: Be a critical member of the overall Photon team at the client responsible for designing and executing strategic digital initiatives. 

Insight Synthesizer: Conduct market and competitive analysis, perform industry analysis, benchmark analysis and gap assessments to generate insights about client and their capabilities and rank versus market leaders. 

Responsive Strategist: Demonstrate ability to “listen” to the client and craft appropriate strategic response including framework development, work break down structure, developing execution plans and specific workstream outcomes. 

Solution Visionary: Identify issues critical to the clients' strategic and operational success and propose solution approaches and supporting technology & tools to address. 

Analysis Conductor: Develop solutions to business & technical problems, by documenting key requirements and supporting business case justification. 

Stakeholder Liaison: Manage day-day client interaction and relationships with key stakeholders and sponsors. 

Engagement Leader: Build, own and drive the engagement plan including cross-functional alignment and management by influence. 

Methodology Innovator: Collaborate and develop new frameworks, methodologies, point of view and best practices based on deep client experience and market insights. 

Innovation Scout: Evaluate opportunities for feature and service innovation, helping clients understand the leading-edge technologies and the transformational impact on their business. 

Business Case Development: Primary contributor to business case development leveraging Photon’s engagement and ideation methodology, with the ability to present findings at team & client meetings. 

Collaboration Champion: Effective member of multidisciplinary team, with strong collaboration skill and ability to engage effectively across Photon to gather expertise and focus solution development.  

 Qualifications 

Extensive Experience in Banking and Finance Consulting: A proven track record in delivering high-value consulting services within the banking and finance sector, with at least 10 years of professional experience. 

Expertise in Procurement for Financial Institutions: Demonstrated ability to optimize procurement processes within the overall supply chain process, procurement technologies, and implement procurement strategies that align with financial regulations and operational goals. 

Mastery of Bank Systems and Processes: Deep insights into the architecture of banking systems, including core banking, payment processing, and digital banking solutions. Experience in process reengineering to improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards. 

Digital Strategy Acumen: Demonstrated success in leading digital transformation projects within financial institutions, including the implementation of fintech solutions, automation, and data analytics. 

Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and provide senior-level consultancy, guiding financial institutions through complex transformations. 

Strong Analytical Skills: Proficiency in analyzing banking operations and identifying areas for improvement, backed by a data-driven approach. 

Excellent Communication: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients at all levels. 

Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a related field is required. An MBA or relevant postgraduate degree is highly preferred. 

Professional Certifications: Relevant certifications in project management, digital transformation, or finance are a plus. 

Team & Individual Contributor: The ability to effectively operate independently and in a team environment. 

Project Management: Effective user of project collaboration tools document, assign tasks to team members, manage, and monitor progress and drive team productivity. 

Dynamic Innovator: In addition to above, high emphasis on motivated, self-starter, quick learner, innovative, awareness & evangelism of the latest solution & technology adoption trends. 

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel 50% or more to client work locations based current project / engagement requirements. 

Sample Outcomes the Role Should Focus on: 

Efficiency improvements in banking operations and processes. 

Cost savings achieved through optimized procurement strategies. 

Successful implementation and ROI of digital transformation projects. 

Client satisfaction and retention rates. 

Growth in consultancy revenue from the banking and finance sector. 

This is an exceptional opportunity for a visionary Principal Consultant who is passionate about driving change in the banking sector. If you have a strategic mindset, a track record of successful consultancy projects, and a commitment to digital innovation, we invite you to apply. Join us in shaping the future of banking, delivering solutions that not only meet our clients' current needs but also anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.