Head of Strategic Initiatives & Transformation

Head Of Strategic Initiatives & Transformation

The Role: SVP/ Head of Strategic Initiatives & Transformation

The Location: Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego

Reports To: EVP/Chief Operating Officer

Make a Difference Where It Matters Most

At CalPrivate Bank, we believe banking is personal. We have deep roots in the communities we serve, and our client relationships are built on genuine care, thoughtful problem-solving, and unwavering integrity. Our solutions-based service, paired with best-in-class talent, sets us apart in the market, but it's trust that defines who we are. It's our gold standard, the currency we trade in, and the foundation of every decision we make.

We're looking for leaders who want more than a title. We're looking for team players who want to make an impact. If you're driven to lead with purpose, ready to shape the future and have meaningful impact at a relationship-centered bank, CalPrivate Bank may be the place for you.

Your Opportunity: Head of Strategic Initiatives & Transformation

At CalPrivate Bank, we are committed to delivering distinctly different financial services through trusted relationships, thoughtful solutions, and an unwavering commitment to service excellence. As the Bank continues its strategic growth trajectory, the Senior Vice President, Head of Strategic Initiatives & Transformation serves as a critical enterprise leader responsible for helping shape the future of the organization through innovation, operational alignment, and execution excellence.

This role serves as a key senior leader within CalPrivate Bank and is responsible for driving enterprise product strategy, innovation, project execution, process improvement, and organizational transformation initiatives across the Bank. The position brings together several critical business functions including: Product Management, Project Management Office (PMO), Business Transformation, and Change Management, to ensure the Bank's strategic priorities are translated into well-executed initiatives that improve client experience, operational efficiency, revenue growth, and overall business performance.

The SVP, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Transformation & Product will serve as both a strategic architect and execution leader, partnering closely with executive leadership and business line leaders to identify opportunities, prioritize enterprise initiatives, modernize processes, and enhance the Bank's products, systems, and client delivery capabilities. This executive will lead cross-functional teams responsible for developing and enhancing banking products, managing enterprise project portfolios, improving core operational processes, and supporting the successful adoption of business and technology changes across the organization.

The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative, forward-thinking executive who can balance innovation with operational discipline, align teams around enterprise priorities, and effectively influence stakeholders across all levels of the Bank. This leader must possess the strategic vision to anticipate future opportunities while maintaining the execution rigor necessary to deliver measurable business results in a highly regulated banking environment.

Mission Impact

The SVP, Head of Strategic Initiatives & Transformation plays a mission-critical role in helping CalPrivate Bank scale thoughtfully while preserving the high-touch, relationship-driven experience that defines the organization. This leader will help ensure the Bank remains agile, innovative, and operationally strong as it continues expanding its market presence, client offerings, and internal capabilities.

By integrating product strategy, transformation efforts, and enterprise project execution under one leadership function, this role creates organizational alignment and accelerates the Bank's ability to execute strategic priorities effectively. The position will help foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, accountability, and innovation while ensuring initiatives are aligned with the Bank's long-term vision, regulatory requirements, and commitment to exceptional client service.

This executive will also serve as a key advisor to senior leadership, helping evaluate opportunities, mitigate operational risks, improve scalability, and support enterprise decision-making related to products, systems, operational enhancements, and organizational effectiveness.

What You'll Do

Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Transformation

• Lead the development and execution of enterprise-wide strategic initiatives aligned with the Bank's growth objectives and long-term vision.
• Partner closely with executive leadership to identify organizational priorities, business opportunities, operational challenges, and innovation strategies.
• Drive enterprise transformation initiatives focused on improving operational effectiveness, scalability, client experience, and profitability.
• Establish governance frameworks and prioritization processes to ensure alignment and accountability across strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on organizational change, modernization efforts, and business optimization opportunities.

Product Strategy & Innovation

• Lead the Bank's product management function, including product development, enhancement, lifecycle management, and strategic roadmap planning.
• Evaluate market trends, client needs, competitive positioning, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Partner with business line leaders to enhance existing banking products and develop new offerings that support client growth and deepen relationships.
• Ensure product initiatives align with the Bank's relationship-focused service model, risk framework, operational capabilities, and profitability objectives.
• Drive a culture of innovation while balancing regulatory requirements, operational discipline, and execution feasibility.

Project Management Office (PMO) Leadership

• Oversee the enterprise Project Management Office and strategic project portfolio management processes.
• Ensure projects are appropriately prioritized, resourced, governed, tracked, and executed on time and within budget.
• Develop standardized project management methodologies, reporting structures, and performance metrics.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across departments to ensure successful implementation of enterprise initiatives.
• Provide executive-level visibility into project status, risks, dependencies, and resource planning.

Business Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Lead enterprise process improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, scalability, quality, and risk mitigation.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce operational friction, and enhance the employee and client experience.
• Collaborate with operational and business leaders to redesign processes that support future growth and organizational effectiveness.
• Promote continuous improvement methodologies and operational best practices across the organization.

Change Management & Organizational Adoption

• Lead organizational change management efforts related to business transformation, technology implementations, operational enhancements, and strategic initiatives.
• Develop communication, training, and adoption strategies that support successful implementation and long-term sustainability of change initiatives.
• Foster strong stakeholder engagement and alignment throughout project and transformation lifecycles.
• Support leadership teams in navigating organizational change while maintaining employee engagement and operational continuity.

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, mentor, and lead high-performing cross-functional teams across Product Management, PMO, Transformation, and Change Management functions.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and solutions-oriented culture focused on execution excellence and continuous improvement.
• Develop leadership capabilities within the team and support talent development initiatives across the organization.
• Encourage innovation, strategic thinking, and proactive problem-solving across all functional areas.

AML/CFT/Compliance Responsibilities

This position includes direct or indirect interaction with customers and other employees and therefore includes responsibilities relating to BSA/AML. The employee will have opportunity to examine and view information and documents produced by other employees of the Bank relating to BSA and therefore has the obligation to report suspicious activity to the BSA Officer as appropriate. The employee is responsible for understanding and following the Bank's BSA/AML policies including elevating suspicious activity to the BSA Officer. Additionally, the employee is required to understand and follow the Bank's compliance program BSA/AML policies including elevating suspicious activity to the BSA Officer. Additionally, the employee is required to understand and follow the Bank's compliance program.

Who You Are

Experience & Expertise

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Organizational Leadership, Technology, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in banking, financial services, consulting, or related industries.
• Significant experience leading enterprise strategic initiatives, transformation efforts, product management, or PMO functions.
• Strong understanding of banking operations, financial products, regulatory environments, and organizational change management.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale, cross-functional initiatives from strategy development through execution and adoption.
• Demonstrated success building organizational alignment and influencing senior stakeholders across complex organizations.
• Experience driving operational improvement, modernization initiatives, and enterprise process optimization.
• Exceptional executive communication, leadership, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Strategic mindset with strong analytical, operational, and execution capabilities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving, high-growth environment while balancing multiple priorities.

Mindset & Values

• You lead with accountability, integrity, and consistency.