At Equitable, we believe work should be a place where you feel supported, inspired, and empowered to grow. In our caring and collaborative environment, your curiosity is encouraged, your passion is recognized, and your contributions truly matter. Together, we create meaningful impact; for our clients, our communities, and each other.
The Opportunity: At Equitable, our focus is on making a meaningful impact in the lives of Canadians by putting clients at the heart of everything we do. We lead with empathy, act with intention, stay curious, and support one another every step of the way. If you're looking for purpose-driven work in a collaborative and inclusive environment where your voice is heard, and your growth is encouraged we’d love to connect.
The Director, Project Governance is responsible for developing, maintaining, and monitoring company-wide standards for project management and project portfolio management. These project management standards are to ensure that company resources are used effectively, our focus is on the client when completing projects, and we operate within our risk appetite framework. The project portfolio management standards are to ensure alignment with our operational and strategic plans and facilitate prioritization where projects require resources from more than one division.
Join one of the Waterloo Area’s Top Employers for 2025 and Southwestern Ontario’s Top Employers for 2024 and be part of something that matters.
Position Title: Director, Project Governance
Reports To: Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer
Department: Corporate Finance
Term: Permanent Full-Time
Work Arrangements: This is a hybrid role. You will work in our office in Waterloo, ON a minimum of two (2) assigned, consecutive days every other week, plus a fifth (5th) assigned day per month. You are welcome to work from the office more than the minimum requirement and there may be some roles that are required to work in our office more than the minimum requirement.
What you will be doing:
Develop and maintain company-wide standards for project management that promote client focus, effective use of resources, and operating within the company’s risk appetite
Collaborate with stakeholders to define stage requirements, governance processes, and required artifacts for project initiation, planning, execution, and closure.
Collaborate with IT Risk and Governance team to ensure alignment between project management standards and Technology Development Life Cycle
Ensure compliance with standards by working with project teams and performing regular reviews. Work with teams to implement any internal audit recommendations.
Work with project managers, portfolio managers, sponsors, and other stakeholders to identify process issues, bottlenecks, or gaps, and adjust standards accordingly, striving for continuous improvement
Work with leaders across the company to identify gaps and opportunities for professional development for project managers and those in related roles
Lead change management as standards evolve
Provides informal consulting and training of program/project management methodologies to other staff members to ensure participation and awareness
Develop and maintain company-wide standards for project portfolio management that promote alignment with our operational and strategic plans and facilitate prioritization where projects require resources from more than one division
Collaborate with stakeholders to define requirements for the monitoring of and reporting on projects, including business outcomes, within each project portfolio (each line of business and some corporate functions)
Work with portfolio managers to identify process issues, bottlenecks, or gaps, and adjust standards accordingly, striving for continuous improvement
What you will bring:
10+ years of experience in program/project/portfolio management
Certified Project Management Professional (PMP),
Post-secondary technical or business diploma and/or equivalent working experience
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Experience collaborating and coordinating across cross-functional teams.
Experience working under Waterfall, Agile or Hybrid methodologies. Agile certification an asset
Ability to influence indirectly
Experience developing project or portfolio management governance frameworks or leading teams of project managers
Experience in consistently rolling up projects to the portfolio level
Experience in establishing project KPIs and measurements
Experience with Agile boards and project management tools such as MS Project
Experience with templates, tools and systems for metrics/status/resource management, portfolio reporting
What’s in it for you:
A workplace where care, passion, and curiosity aren’t just values, they’re how we work, grow, and succeed together every day;
A healthy work-life balance with employee wellness top of mind;
Annual bonus program, annual vacation allowance, and company-paid benefits program;
Generous vacation package with one volunteer day to give back to a charity of your choice;
Immediate enrollment in the company’s pension program with employer matching;
Employee resource groups that support an inclusive work environment;
Tuition support and specialized program assistance;
An onsite full-service cafeteria with a variety of daily options;
Discounts on company products and services, and access to exclusive employee perks;
Regular EQ Together events focused on company togetherness and collaboration.
As part of the recruitment process, candidates may be asked to complete an assessment and will be required to undergo background screening, in accordance with company policy.
This position is available due to an existing vacancy.
We're dedicated to inclusive and accessible hiring practices. If you require accommodations or alternative formats, please contact us at careers@equitable.ca.
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