Role Overview for SVP, Head of Corporate Strategy with a Global Bank – New York, NY
JRG Partners is proud to conduct an exclusive executive search on behalf of our client, a prestigious and top-tier global bank with a significant presence in New York City. We are seeking a visionary and results-driven leader to assume the critical role of Senior Vice President (SVP), Head of Corporate Strategy. This is a rare opportunity to join the executive leadership team and directly influence the long-term trajectory and competitive positioning of a financial institution at the forefront of the global economy. The successful candidate will be a strategic architect, responsible for developing, articulating, and driving the execution of the bank’s overarching corporate strategy, ensuring sustainable growth and shareholder value creation in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy Officer and working in close collaboration with the CEO, the Board of Directors, and business unit leaders, the SVP, Head of Corporate Strategy will be the central figure in navigating the complexities of the modern banking world. This role demands a unique blend of analytical rigor, commercial acumen, and influential leadership. You will be tasked with identifying and capitalizing on emerging market trends, assessing disruptive technologies, evaluating inorganic growth opportunities through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and ensuring that all strategic initiatives are seamlessly integrated and executed across the firm’s diverse business lines. This position is not merely about planning; it is about inspiring action, fostering a culture of strategic thinking, and delivering tangible results that will define the bank’s legacy for years to come.
The ideal candidate will bring a wealth of experience from a top-tier management consulting firm, a corporate strategy group within a major financial institution, or an investment banking background. You will lead a high-performing team of strategy professionals, providing mentorship and guidance while championing a data-driven approach to decision-making. Your mandate will be broad and impactful, covering everything from geographic expansion and digital transformation to capital allocation and competitive intelligence. If you are a transformative leader with a passion for solving complex problems and a proven ability to shape the future of a global organization, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of SVP, Head of Corporate Strategy with a Global Bank – New York, NY
Strategic Planning and Long-Range Vision
Lead the end-to-end annual and multi-year corporate strategic planning process. Collaborate with executive leadership to define the company’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities. Translate this vision into a coherent, actionable strategic plan with clear objectives, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
Market and Competitive Intelligence
Develop and maintain a sophisticated intelligence function to monitor and analyze the competitive landscape, macroeconomic trends, regulatory changes, and technological disruptions. Provide proactive, forward-looking insights and recommendations to the executive team, staying ahead of disruptive forces as outlined in recent McKinsey Global Banking Reviews.
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Strategic Partnerships
Spearhead the identification, evaluation, and execution of inorganic growth opportunities. This includes leading due diligence, financial modeling, valuation, and integration planning for potential acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and strategic alliances that align with the bank’s long-term goals.
Business Unit Strategy Alignment
Act as a strategic partner and internal consultant to the leaders of various business units (e.g., Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Consumer Banking). Ensure their individual strategies are robust, differentiated, and fully aligned with the overarching corporate strategy, fostering synergy and cross-functional collaboration.
Leadership of Strategic Initiatives
Champion and direct high-priority, cross-functional strategic projects. These initiatives may include digital transformation programs, new market entry strategies, operational efficiency improvements, or the development of new products and services. You will be responsible for structuring these projects, securing resources, and driving them to successful completion.
Executive and Board Communication
Develop and deliver clear, concise, and compelling presentations, white papers, and reports on strategic matters for the CEO, the Board of Directors, investors, and other key stakeholders. Effectively articulate complex strategic concepts and build consensus at the highest levels of the organization.
Performance Measurement and Management
Design and implement robust frameworks, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), to monitor the progress and impact of strategic initiatives. Regularly report on performance, providing analysis and course-correction recommendations as needed.
Team Leadership and Development
Recruit, manage, and mentor a world-class team of strategy professionals. Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance culture grounded in analytical rigor and a deep commitment to the bank’s success. Provide career development and coaching to build the next generation of strategic leaders within the firm.
Requirements for the SVP, Head of Corporate Strategy with a Global Bank – New York, NY
Professional Experience
A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in a highly analytical and strategic environment. This experience will likely come from a top-tier management consulting firm (e.g., McKinsey, Bain, BCG) with a focus on the financial services industry, a corporate strategy or corporate development group within a large financial institution, or an investment banking (M&A) division.
Industry Expertise
Deep and comprehensive knowledge of the global financial services industry is mandatory. This includes a firm understanding of banking products, capital markets, regulatory frameworks (e.g., Basel III, Dodd-Frank), and the competitive dynamics shaping the sector.
Transactional Acumen
Demonstrable, hands-on experience leading all phases of the M&A lifecycle, from target identification and strategic rationale development through due diligence, negotiation, and post-merger integration.
Executive Presence
Proven ability to operate at the most senior levels of an organization. Must possess exceptional executive presence, credibility, and the ability to influence and build trusted relationships with C-suite executives, board members, and senior business leaders.
Educational Background
An undergraduate degree in a quantitative field such as Finance, Economics, Engineering, or Business Administration is required. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) from a globally recognized, top-tier business school is strongly preferred.
Analytical and Quantitative Skills
Superior analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills. Expertise in financial analysis, complex modeling, valuation methodologies, and turning large sets of data into actionable strategic insights.
Communication Skills
World-class written and verbal communication skills. The ability to distill complex information into clear, compelling narratives and presentations for a variety of audiences is essential.
Leadership Capabilities
A proven leader with a track record of building and developing high-performing teams. Must be an inspiring manager who can attract top talent and foster an environment of intellectual curiosity and excellence.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a comprehensive and highly competitive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary complemented by a significant annual performance-based bonus and a long-term incentive plan (e.g., restricted stock units, performance shares) designed to reward strategic contributions and long-term value creation.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents. The package also includes access to robust mental health resources, wellness programs, fitness center subsidies, and other executive health services.
Retirement & Financial Planning
A best-in-class 401(k) retirement savings plan with a substantial company match. Access to personalized financial planning and wealth management services.
Generous Time Off
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and personal days, as well as company-paid holidays. Comprehensive parental leave policies to support growing families.
Professional Growth
A significant budget for continuous professional development, including executive education programs, industry conferences, and relevant certifications. Opportunities for executive coaching and mentorship.
Workplace Perks
Located in a state-of-the-art office in New York City with numerous amenities. Additional benefits include commuter benefits, employee discounts on banking products, and opportunities to participate in corporate social responsibility and philanthropic initiatives.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is the exclusive search firm retained for this SVP, Head of Corporate Strategy position. We invite all qualified and interested candidates to submit their resumes and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and strategic accomplishments. Due to the high volume of applications, only those candidates who meet the specified criteria will be contacted. This is a confidential search, and all inquiries will be handled with the utmost discretion. To learn more about our expertise in this domain, please visit our Financial Services Executive Search practice page. We look forward to reviewing your application and discussing this transformative opportunity with you.
