Director - Business Programs

About Our Company

We’re a diversified financial services leader with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management, administration and advisement as of year-end 2024. Our team of 22,000 people across 19 countries, serves more than 3.5 million individual, small business and institutional clients. We are a longstanding leader in financial planning and advice, a global asset manager and an insurer. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our unique businesses – Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities. Here, we foster meaningful careers, invest in the future, and make a difference for clients, institutions and communities around the world.

Job Description

The Director – Business Programs will provide program management to ensure that the work effort achieves the outcomes specified in the business strategy. This involves setting and reviewing objectives, negotiating changes in plans, identifying key dependences, and managing key deliverables within specified timeframes. Accountable to executive sponsors for schedule, budget, and quality of all program elements and for the program execution delivery. Builds and sustains key relationships with stakeholders to ensure that outcomes and goals are achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages program execution delivery to meet quality, schedule, milestone, and budget commitments. Manages program expectations, scope, risk and changes. Develops and maintains a work plan at the required level of detail which indicates the key dependencies, resources, the timeframe for completion of the project and the key deliverables. Provides issue identification and makes recommendations to ensure resolution.
• Ensures effective program implementation and is accountable for sustaining the assigned programs. This includes ensuring that appropriate resources are identified and secured for both the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the program. Accountable for the continual tracking and analysis of program performance against the plan to ensure program success.
• Leads high-level sessions for program plan and schedule development. Reviews/approves project plans for conformance to program strategy and program plan and schedule. Ensures the goals, metrics and objectives of the program are understood and agreed upon with the program sponsorship. Works across various teams to coordinate and integrate plans to ensure effective program execution.
• Acts as the communications conduit to executive sponsors and program steering committee and conducts periodic briefings/status updates. Escalates decisions to executive sponsors as necessary. Builds and sustains key relationships with stakeholders to ensure that outcomes and goals are achieved. Prepares executive level presentations, communications, talking points and speeches for the direct leader.
• Provides effective people leadership through effective coaching, feedback and sound performance management practices. Act as champion for the team and intervene on matters that create roadblocks to individual or organizational success. Sets department initiatives and aligns and sets individual performance goals.
• Partner with HR to design organization and business specific people strategies, including leader/employee recognition and field recognition.
• Be a liaison with other critical staff groups (finance, HR, etc.).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant experience.
• 7+ year’s relevant experience program and project management experience.
• Consistently takes initiative and deploys end-to-end thinking for all projects and programs.
• Ability to demonstrate self-sufficiency with accessing, processing and interpreting information in support of making recommendations to senior leaders.
• Ability to lead, influence, communicate and interact with people at all levels across the organization and with external partners.
• Must possess strong negotiation, analytical, decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills focused on all levels of the organization, represent the senior leader internally and externally.
• Proficient in our tools and capabilities: Co-Pilot, PowerPoint, Excel, Word.
• Strong analytical, judgement and problem-solving skills to analyze data, develop compelling solutions and/or recommendations.
• Demonstrated strength in influencing at all levels and building effective relationships in order to work collaboratively across diverse units/staff functions. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure with undefined processes, tight deadlines and frequently changing priorities. Proven strategic leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of or expert in line of business being supported.
• Strong knowledge of the field organization.
• Project Management certifications and designations.
• FINRA licensure.

Visa Sponsorship

Applicants must have a valid work authorization that does not now, or in the future, require visa sponsorship for employment in the United States (e.g., H-1B, F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, TN).

In-Office Collaboration

We are a client-centric, relationship-based business. Working together, in-person, is foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face-to-face collaboration, idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for our stakeholders — clients, advisors, employees and shareholders. Our employees work in the office at least four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles may require additional in-office time or different in-office expectations, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.

Base Pay Salary

The estimated base salary for this role is $131,000 – $180,100 per year. We have a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy. Your initial total compensation may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and geographical work location. In addition, most of our roles are eligible for variable pay in the form of bonus, commissions, and/or long-term incentives depending on the role. We also have a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports all aspects of your health and well-being, including but not limited to vacation time, sick time, 401(k), and health, dental and life insurances.Full timeExemptBusiness Support & OperationsAFG Ameriprise Franchise Group

Ameriprise Financial is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, military status, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship, disability status, marital status, family status or any other basis prohibited by law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.

Who We Are

Since 1894, Ameriprise Financial has helped people feel more confident about their financial future. Guided by strong values and a deep commitment to clients, we've remained a trusted leader in financial planning and advice for more than 130 years.

Through our businesses, Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance & Annuities, we deliver advice, investment and protection solutions designed for long-term success. While each business brings distinct capabilities and expertise, all are united by our unwavering focus on clients and a strong financial foundation.

For you, that means the opportunity to build a meaningful career in a high-performing, collaborative culture where your expertise can grow, your contributions are valued and your work can make a real impact.

Our Business and our Brands

As a global financial services company with three complementary businesses, the breadth of our capabilities sets us apart. It also creates unique opportunities for employees to learn, collaborate and grow their careers:

• Ameriprise Financial: Financial planning, advice and wealth management.

• Columbia Threadneedle Investments: Global asset management serving individual, institutional and corporate clients.

• RiverSource Insurance & Annuities: Products and solutions designed to help clients protect and grow their wealth.

Explore opportunities within each business and region below.

• Ameriprise US | Careers

• Ameriprise India | Careers

• Columbia Threadneedle Investments US | Careers

• Columbia Threadneedle Investments EMEA APAC | Careers

• RiverSource | Careers

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