Vice President of Innovation & Strategy

Position Overview

The Vice President of Innovation & Strategy plays a critical leadership role in steering corporate strategic planning, spearheading business innovation, and guiding digital transformation within a financial institution. This position focuses on developing medium- to long-term growth strategies and implementing innovative business models, digital financial products, AI-driven solutions, and global strategic projects to continuously strengthen the company’s competitive advantage and sustainable value.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead corporate strategic planning by creating medium to long-term development and annual strategic plans, managing strategic objectives, and overseeing the execution of competitive strategies aimed at growth and global expansion.
• Develop and manage corporate innovation strategies, nurturing an innovation-focused culture, designing new business models, and supervising innovation investments across fintech, product, service, and management domains.
• Guide the digital transformation agenda including digital banking advancement, intelligent operations, cloud computing integration, data platform development, enterprise automation, and technologies like Open Banking and Embedded Finance to modernize the enterprise.
• Drive AI and fintech innovations applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, generative AI, big data, and business intelligence for intelligent risk management, investment advisory, customer service, marketing, operations, and data-driven decisions.
• Oversee corporate development and investment strategies involving new business investments, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, international market expansion, corporate incubation, and ROI evaluation for long-term value.
• Conduct continuous market research and competitive analysis on global financial trends, macroeconomic factors, emerging fintech, customer needs, and competitors; provide actionable strategic guidance.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships and ecosystems with international financial institutions, fintech firms, cloud partners, academic and research entities, innovation labs, and startup networks promoting open innovation.
• Lead corporate change initiatives focusing on organizational transformation, process enhancements, cultural evolution, capability growth, and ensuring adaptability to market shifts.
• Manage strategic projects including digital transformation efforts, global expansion, new launches, M&A integration, restructuring, and ESG initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and successful delivery.
• Build and lead a high-impact team comprising Directors of Strategic Planning, Corporate Development, Innovation, Digital Transformation, along with project managers and analysts to drive innovation and strategic success.

Qualifications

• Educational requirements typically include degrees in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Strategic Management, International Business, or Information Management. Advanced degrees such as MBA, EMBA, or related Master’s are preferred.
• Extensive experience of 12 to 20+ years in the financial sector with at least 8 years in strategic planning or innovation management, including expertise in digital transformation, corporate development, investment, and international operations.
• Preferred prior senior roles include Strategy Director, Corporate Development Director, Innovation Director, Head of Digital Transformation, management consulting partner, or head of corporate strategy.

Core Competencies

• Strategic acumen in planning, corporate development, business modeling, and market assessment.
• Innovation management capabilities encompassing ecosystem development, product innovation, digital innovation, and fintech applications.
• Strong financial expertise in market analysis, corporate finance, wealth management, payment solutions, and risk management.
• Leadership skills emphasizing strategic guidance, innovation leadership, cross-functional collaboration, organizational change, and international team supervision.

Reporting and Performance Indicators

• Reports directly to the CEO, Chief Strategy Officer, or President.
• Direct leadership over Strategic Planning Director, Innovation Director, Corporate Development Director, Strategic Project Director, and Business Analysis Manager.
• Key performance indicators include achievement of strategic goals, project completion, growth metrics, innovation success rates, digital transformation progress, revenue and profit growth, cost efficiencies, corporate value enhancement, and organizational effectiveness in collaboration and innovation engagement.