Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager – Cloud & GenAI Financial Operations

Overview: Works closely with senior managers within a division and the Bank to manage key initiatives, including supporting critical Division/Department cross-functional projects related to strategic objectives of the Bank, improving risk management and ensuring efficiency/sustainability of core processes and positioning the Bank to meet evolving regulatory expectations. Concurrently manages large-scale projects while coordinating and managing initiatives at the division and department level.

Leads design, planning and implementation for time-sensitive, critical programs and/or projects. Leads facilitation of industry groups that meet regularly to share best practices and promote industry advocacy efforts. Provides strategic leadership for Cloud and Generative AI Financial Operations (Fin Ops), partnering across Technology, Finance, Architecture, Engineering, and Business teams to drive cost transparency, optimize technology investments, improve financial accountability, and maximize the business value of cloud and AI capabilities.

Establishes governance, reporting, forecasting, and performance management practices to support sustainable growth, efficient resource utilization, and measurable return on technology investments. Leads change management across the enterprise in implementing new Fin Ops operating model.

• Lead Cloud and Generative AI Financial Operations (Fin Ops) initiatives, including governance, budgeting, forecasting, consumption management, optimization, and value realization across cloud platforms and AI services.
• Develop and maintain financial management frameworks that provide visibility into cloud and AI costs, usage trends, financial performance, and business outcomes.
• Partner with Technology, Finance, Procurement, Architecture, and Engineering teams to identify opportunities for cost optimization, efficiency improvements, and investment prioritization.
• Establish and facilitate governance routines, executive reporting, and performance metrics related to cloud and AI spending, utilization, savings opportunities, and return on investment.
• Drive adoption of financial accountability practices, including showback/chargeback models, cost allocation methodologies, unit cost metrics, and consumption transparency.
• Evaluate financial impacts of emerging technologies and strategic investments, including cloud migration programs, AI platform adoption, and enterprise modernization initiatives.
• Analyze complex operational, financial, and consumption data sets to provide actionable insights that support decision-making, risk management, and strategic planning.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices related to Cloud Fin Ops, AI governance, and technology financial management to recommend and implement continuous improvements.

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 9 years’ relevant work experience, or in lieu of a degree, a combined minimum of 14 years higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 9 years’ relevant work experience
• Minimum of 3 years’ managerial experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Math, Accounting, Engineering, or Business Administration; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Banking/financial industry experience.
• Experience leading or supporting Cloud Financial Operations (Fin Ops), Technology Business Management (TBM), IT Financial Management, or related technology cost management disciplines.
• Experience developing cloud cost optimization strategies, financial forecasting models, consumption reporting, and technology investment business cases.
• Knowledge of AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and associated financial management and governance practices.
• Experience supporting Generative AI initiatives, including financial planning, usage monitoring, cost management, and value measurement.
• Familiarity with cloud cost management and Fin Ops tooling.
• Strong understanding of technology portfolio management, financial planning processes, and business value realization methodologies.
• Fin Ops Certified Practitioner or related certifications preferred.
• Six Sigma, Lean, 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.

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $ - $ Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Buffalo, New York, United States of America