Managing Director, Country Program Manager

Company Overview

Mizuho has a long-term commitment to the Hong Kong market. With strong ties to Mizuho’s global network and a workforce of over 600 staff in Hong Kong, we are able to help corporations in Hong Kong to expand their business worldwide. Our clients primarily comprise Japanese and non-Japanese corporations (including those domiciled in the PRC), financial institutions, and government and quasi-government organizations. We provide a full spectrum of corporate banking services to our customers including syndicated loans, treasury, transaction banking, financial advisory, project finance, merger and acquisition, leveraged finance, and structured finance.

Why Mizuho

At Mizuho, we provide the stability of an international industry leader with the career trajectory of a growing business. Our steady, strategic growth gives our people at all levels rewarding degrees of responsibility and a richer work experience than a boutique firm or an established giant could offer alone.

It is the local expertise of our employees that makes our global network so powerful. By collaborating with colleagues and clients who have your same ambition and drive, you can amplify your sphere of influence and base of knowledge as part of one of the largest—and growing—banks in the world.

About the team

We are seeking an experienced Program manager to lead the end-to-end delivery of the Core Banking transformation for Hong Kong branch, owning planning, execution, risk mitigation, and change management in alignment to regional/global standards, local regulatory needs, business objectives, and change management imperatives. This role will provide leadership and direction to the country project team to ensure the successful delivery of related projects and initiatives across the Core Banking Program of Hong Kong.

The Country Program Manager is the champion within the overall APAC Core Banking Program for the adoption of region / industry standard procedures, tools and techniques which ensure that the projects within the scope are well set up and structured for full scope delivery; on time and within the defined cost and quality parameters agreed with Program stakeholders across the program. The Ideal Candidate will serve as the bridge between Country and Region, ensuring the successful landing of regional solutions while safeguarding local regulatory and business interests. Ideal candidate will work closely with various internal country / region / head office stakeholders, third party vendors, and technology teams to ensure robust, scalable, and high-performing platform transformation.

Role requirements

1) Program Leadership & Governance

• Own the country-level delivery of core banking transformation from initiation to go-live
• Act as the main point of accountability for program success in the country
• Drive country alignment with regional/global delivery construct and timelines
• Chair or co-chair Country Steering Committee and Working Group forums
• Lead project team members including recruitment, KPI setting and evaluation
• Ensure full alignment between Country GM, JGM and the regional program leadership

2) Planning & Execution

• Lead Program planning, resourcing, budgeting, and risk mitigation for the country, aligned with the overall APAC Program plan
• Ensure effective management of dependencies (e.g, legacy systems, data migration)
• Manage vendor engagement and SI (System Integrator) activities at the country level Coordinate country SMEs to support design, solution anchoring, data

3) Provide cross-functional leadership by orchestration delivery across business, operations, IT, and control functions.

• Own communications materials and narrative to leadership and Steering Committee, with alignment to Regional Program Office and country leadership
• Liaise with key local stakeholders across Business, Operations, IT, Risk, and Compliance
• Ensure active stakeholder engagement, clear communication, and change readiness in country
• Lead country-level training, UAT, and business cutover planning
• Partner with regional leads to meet program milestones
• Ensure senior engagement to maintain alignment with Country General Managers and senior leadership

4) Reporting & Controls

• Track KPIs, deliverables, and ensure compliance with Program governance and controls
• Escalate risks, issues, and decisions as per program governance
• Report progress to Regional Program Office

Essential Functions

Key Interfaces

• Country GM / JGM and country leadership
• Regional Core Banking Program Team
• Country Business, Risk, Operations, Finance leads
• Region Technology and architecture teams
• Platform vendors / system integrator 

Competencies

• Experienced in managing critical timeline while ensuring quality under pressure
• Has deep understanding of local nuances and is willing to be dedicated to a country for active on-site participation
• Strong leadership and influencing skills across business and IT
• Exceptional planning, risk, and vendor management
• Skilled at navigating matrix structures and cross-border teams

Work experience, education and skills

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Information Technology, Computer Science, or other related disciplines
• Over 20 years of professional experience, including 10–15 years of relevant experience in project and program management, particularly within large-scale and complex banking IT transformation or migration initiatives
• Strong proficiency in project management tools and methodologies, including both Waterfall and Agile frameworks
• In-depth knowledge of core banking and corporate banking operations, as well as familiarity with Hong Kong banking regulations
• Professional qualifications such as PMP, Prince2, PgMP, or SAFe are desirable and would be an advantage
• Fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English

Application

Employment of the in-scope positions are subject to Mandatory Reference Checking Scheme (MRCS) as per regulatory requirement. For details, please refer to (Mandatory Reference Checking Scheme Phase 2 I The Hong Kong Association of Banks).

Please indicate your current and expected salary on CV for the application.

Mizuho Bank Limited

Mizuho Bank, Ltd. in Hong Kong is an integral part of the Japan-based Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: MFG). The Mizuho group is a global financial services leader with offices in 35 countries, approximately 52,000 employees, and assets of almost USD 2 trillion. Mizuho provides expertise in retail banking, corporate finance, investment banking, asset management, capital markets, and sales and trading, to help businesses develop and find new opportunities for growth. To learn more: www.mizuhogroup.com

Mizuho’s People Philosophy

The Mizuho People Philosophy serves as the guiding standard for embodying Mizuho’s Corporate Identity. It establishes the fundamental philosophy for the ways we support people within Mizuho, based on our belief that our people’s growth and fulfillment are essential to achieving our corporate goals. Mizuho is committed to:

• Supporting the professional growth of people
• Recognizing people who promote Mizuho’s Values
• Fostering an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive as their true selves

The full text for the Mizuho People Philosophy can be accessed via this link:

https://www.mizuhogroup.com/sustainability/social/employees

Personal data collected will be kept in strict confidence, and will be used for recruitment purpose only.