Gaurav Datta
Senior Vice President - Program Manager
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About
Strategic Program Manager with 10+ years of experience driving transformation programs and technology implementations in financial services, specializing in business execution, solutions implementation, and operation process improvement at JP Morgan Chase, HSBC, and GE. Proven track record in optimizing large-scale, complex projects, enhancing operational efficiency by 25%, and achieving sustainable cost savings through effect cross-functional collaboration and service delivery enhancements.
● Technology & Product Implementation: As a Global Program Manager and product owner, led the consolidation and upgrade of reconciliation platforms, successfully deploying machine learning solutions to automate exception handling and enhance risk management. Skilled in implementing low-code/no-code solutions, including Xceptor, Alteryx, and UiPath, and familiar with OCR tools like Instabase.
● Governance & Risk Management: Established and led change governance and PMO functions, developing and implementing frameworks for governance and metrics to manage the programs effectively, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, mitigating operational risks, and driving an efficienc automation-centered approach to investment decisions. Championed the Tech-Ops collaboration programs delivering substantial ROI within 12 months.
● Process Improvement & Transformation: Led cross-departmental process reviews and workshops to identify and prioritize high-impact automation and cost-efficiency initiatives. Facilitated idea incubat drives, generating 300+ process enhancement ideas and reducing required operational effort by 75%
through workflow redesig
● Strategic Planning & Execution: Formulated and executed multi-year transformation strategies, partnering with stakeholders across India, Sri Lanka, the UK, and Hong Kong. Presented regular progress updates to
MDs and CXOs, ensuring alignment with global objectives.
● Leadership & Collaboration: Mentored teams of up to 130 change professionals, including 13 direct reports at VP/AVP levels. Drove diversity initiatives, improving gender diversity across all levels from 10% to over 35%. Skilled at en
Experience
Senior VP & Program Manager, Operations Change Strategy
Led front-to-back transformation and strategic change initiatives for Trades, Transfer Agency, and Asset Owners Operations, leading review, design, and execution of target operating model strategies for key operational processes
Key Achievements:
- Spearheaded design and execution of target operating model strategies for Trade Instruction Capture, Asset Owners, and Transfer Agency operations, delivering 25% efficiency gains through process optimization and controls enhancement.
- Orchestrated comprehensive transformation program encompassing system architecture redesign, process controls implementation, and location strategy optimization, completing assessments 30% ahead of schedule
- Led successful AML KYC remediation program for 20,000 accounts, managing cross-functional teams across product, operations, and external consultants, resulting in the closure of five audit findings.
- Pioneered first-time offshoring of complex trailer fee processing and client services functions, delivering $900K in cost savings while enhancing the service delivery model.
- Implemented Lean and Design Thinking methodologies to drive strategic outcomes, resulting in the identification of key technology investments and successful TOM implementation1
- Partnered with global functional leads to execute front-to-back transformation focused on client experience and operations efficiency enhancement and risk management capabilities
- Established robust governance frameworks for change initiatives, ensuring alignment with business strategy and regulatory requirements
- Created and fostered innovation culture through implementation of digital solutions and process optimization initiatives2
JP Morgan Chase, Mumbai, MH 01/2021–05/2022
Senior VP & Program Manager, Operations Change
Led enterprise-wide transformation initiatives as PMO head for a 2,000+ staff portfolio, driving digital automation and operational excellence.
Key Achievements:
- Established and scaled a high-performing PMO function with 14 cross-functional professionals, implementing robust governance frameworks across 10 departments to ensure strategic alignment and delivery excellence
- .Spearheaded comprehensive automation program resulting in:
- Assessment of 85+ process improvement opportunities
- Successful delivery of 17 automation projects generating $1.5M annual savings
- Implementation of data-driven KPIs to measure operational & change effectiveness
- Designed and implemented enterprise-wide project portfolio management framework for annual operating and technology plans, achieving 100% adoption in planning sessions
- Utilized design thinking and lean methodologies for the identification of areas that require improvement.
- Leveraged advanced analytics and intelligent automation to solve complex operational challenges, establishing standardized governance processes including 'Operations Gate' for change prioritization.
- Created innovative solutions for process optimization through interpretative thinking and digital transformation initiatives, significantly improving operational efficiency
Vice President & Senior Project Manager, Fund Services Global Reconciliations Program
Global Program Manager and Product Owner—Reconciliations Change for a global team of 600+ staff. Accountable F2B Automation & Transformation, business case, budget, and delivery.
Key Achievements:
- Spearheaded multi-million dollar transformation initiative to automate reconciliation break resolution, successfully transitioning from legacy to strategic platform through digital automation
- .Formulated and executed a comprehensive multi-year transformation strategy as the first Global Program Manager at an offshore location, delivering 18 FTE savings through ML-based exception automation
- .Led a 10-member cross-functional team across four global offices to implement system upgrades for the reconciliations platform, managing the successful transition from legacy to target state architecture
- Partnered with stakeholders across India, Sri Lanka, the UK, and Hong Kong to coordinate program governance, facilitating requirements workshops and delivering weekly status reports to MD/CXO level
- .Provided strategic guidance to senior management on operating model and investment decisions, influencing function-wide initiatives
- .Collaborated with Product, Technology & Controls teams to implement innovative solutions, including machine learning-based reconciliation exception automation
- Managed end-to-end program delivery including application design sessions, functional/technical requirements development, and stakeholder alignment
- Implemented governance and controls for reconciliation inventory, capturing and managing 30k+ reconciliations globally
- Provided expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions on operating model and investment plans. Led preparation of a $2MM business case for ML deployment in reconciliations, securing executive sponsorship from Operations, Change, Risk, and Technology leadership
Vice President & Head of Design, Build & Support
Head of Offshore Change Management Function for Securities Services. Led the creation a Centre of Excellence team, establishing and scaling a 130-member team across six core competencies.
Key Achievements:
- Spearheaded execution of global strategy to build first-ever offshore change management capability, establishing Centers of Excellence across Project Management, Testing, Client Onboarding, Regulatory Change, Business Management, and Production Support
- Orchestrated comprehensive restructuring of change organization, implementing end-state design aligned with business objectives and establishing robust governance frameworks for business resiliency, audit, and regulatory standards.
- Created and led Centre of Excellence driving continuous improvement through implementation of industry best practices including Kanban for project management, resulting in significant enhancement of change management capabilities
- Implemented innovative solutions through close collaboration with Product, Technology & Controls teams, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
- Mentored the team and provided guidance, coaching, and support to improve change delivery quality
- Improved employee engagement by 10% above the firm average
- Drove 50%+ career progression rate
- Enhanced gender diversity from 10% to 35%+ across all levels
- Developed a strong leadership pipeline by coaching and promoting 4 VPs while maintaining 50% gender balance in the leadership team
- Established comprehensive governance frameworks for change management, ensuring controlled delivery with rigorous testing and compliance standards
- Managed end-to-end resourcing, budgeting, and policy creation for the change and transformation function, ensuring optimal resource allocation for global programs
Orchestrated the global Business Process Management solution rollout, streamlining operations across continents.
Manager, Transfer Agency Support HSBC, Kolkata, WB 03/2007–05/2011
Pioneered offshore business and production support service, enhancing service quality and enabling global standardization.
Assistant Manager, GE Asset Management Genpact, Gurugram, HR 10/2000–03/2007
As FINRA Series 24 - General Securities Principal, led the customer service desk for GE Mutual Funds.
Education
KEY SKILLS
Strategic Thinking | Securities Services Operations | Front-to-Back Transformation | Digital Automation Leadership | Change Management | Risk & Controls | Program Management | Stakeholder Engagement | Process Optimization
CERTIFICATIONS
Design Thinking, IIMB | Harvard University CS50 Python & Databases with SQL| Certified Scrum Master | GE Lean & Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt Trained | PMP Trained | Alteryx Designer Core Certification
Technical Skills
Automation Tools: Alteryx, UiPath, Xceptor | Business Intelligence: Power BI, DAX, Tableau | Project Tools: MS Project, JIRA, Clarity | Development: Python, SQL.
