WE ARE HIRING: Head of Strategy

Location: Sri Lanka
Employment Type: Full time
Industry: Banking / Financial Services

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly strategic, analytical, and commercially driven Head of Strategy to lead enterprise-wide strategic planning, market intelligence, digital transformation alignment, M&A evaluation, and performance monitoring within the banking sector.

The selected candidate will be responsible for translating board-level strategic priorities into actionable business plans, evaluating growth opportunities, conducting deep market analysis, leading strategic frameworks, and advising senior leadership on long-term business direction, competitive positioning, and organizational transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the annual and multi-year strategic planning process in alignment with the Board's vision and long-term business objectives.
• Drive the organization's digital-first agenda through the identification and implementation of evolving technologies.
• Evaluate potential M&A opportunities, equity investments, and strategic alliances across local and regional markets.
• Conduct market analysis to support competitive advantage, innovation, and business expansion.
• Analyze the Sri Lankan banking sector, including interest rate trends, competitor activity, customer behavior, and market movements.
• Translate high-level strategic goals into actionable departmental KPIs using the Balanced Scorecard framework.
• Oversee due diligence activities for mergers, acquisitions, investments, and strategic partnerships.
• Support post-merger integration strategies to ensure process continuity and business alignment.
• Monitor organizational progress against strategic milestones and prepare reports for senior leadership, MD, and Board-level stakeholders.
• Conduct deep-dive market analysis of the Sri Lankan banking sector.
• Use advanced analytics to evaluate customer lifetime value, churn rates, portfolio trends, and business opportunities.
• Assess the impact of CBSL policies, IMF program milestones, sovereign debt restructuring, and macroeconomic developments on the bank's portfolio.
• Develop stress-test scenarios and economic contingency plans for different market cycles.
• Provide strategic insights on regulatory developments, economic trends, customer segments, and competitive positioning.
• Apply strategic frameworks to guide corporate, retail, and business banking growth initiatives.
• Prepare strategic presentations, board papers, business cases, and executive-level reports.
• Support financial modelling, macroeconomic forecasting, and scenario planning.
• Provide recommendations to improve business performance, profitability, customer growth, and market position.
• Work closely with executive leadership, business units, finance, risk, digital, analytics, and transformation teams.
• Lead and influence cross-functional teams to execute strategic initiatives and organizational change.
• Support continuous innovation, operational improvement, and long-term business sustainability.

Candidate Profile

• Master of Business Administration from a reputed university is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field such as Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Banking, Accounting, Management, or a similar discipline.
• Professional qualifications such as CFA, CIMA, ACCA, CA, or CMA Sri Lanka will be an advantage.
• Minimum 12 years of managerial experience in banking, corporate strategy, management consulting, or a related strategic leadership role.
• Experience in banking, financial services, Big 4 consulting, corporate strategy, or strategic transformation will be highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the Sri Lankan banking sector, regulatory environment, and macroeconomic landscape.
• Deep understanding of retail banking, corporate banking, financial products, and customer portfolio dynamics.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, business planning, performance management, and executive reporting.
• Strong proficiency in financial modelling and strategic planning frameworks.
• Experience using the Balanced Scorecard or similar strategy execution frameworks.
• Strong analytical capability with experience in advanced analytics, customer insights, forecasting, and market analysis.
• Knowledge of CBSL policies, IMF-related economic developments, interest-rate trends, and sovereign debt restructuring impacts.
• Experience in M&A analysis, due diligence, strategic alliances, or investment evaluation will be an advantage.
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder-management, and influencing skills.
• Proven ability to engage and influence C-suite executives, Board members, and senior business leaders.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams and driving cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to convert complex data into clear strategic insights.
• High level of commercial awareness, business judgment, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Ability to lead organizational change and support long-term transformation agendas.

Ready to take your career to new heights?

We're InTalent Asia, your go-to recruitment partner in Sri Lanka, and we've got an exciting opportunity for you! Our client is looking for a dynamic individual to fill the role of Head of Strategy.

At InTalent Asia, we're not just recruiters; we're here to architect your career success. Join us in the journey of matching your skills with unparalleled opportunities.

Apply now and see how you can be the perfect fit for this exclusive position!

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