Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Information
Timeline
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Nisha Kesavan

Nisha Kesavan

Bangalore

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven leader with a proven track record of strategizing, managing, and executing complex programs across diverse industries, including large investment banks, product firms, and start-ups. Expertise in driving large-scale transformation initiatives focused on enhancing efficiency, achieving cost savings, centralizing functions, and building high-performing teams from the ground up. Known for a keen eye for detail and a strategic mindset, balancing a comprehensive understanding of the 'big picture' with the ability to prioritize and deliver across technology, regulatory, and operational domains. Highly adaptable to evolving global business landscapes, leveraging technology and innovation to drive impactful outcomes.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Director

Epsilon India
09.2022 - Current
  • Role: APAC Head of Business Architecture: Key Result areas-
  • Lead a 150+ member team of Business Analysts and Architects across CRM, Loyalty, and People Cloud platforms, supporting over 150 client accounts globally.
  • Defined and translated client visions into actionable strategies, customer journeys, and technology deliverables. Oversee end-to-end execution from requirements gathering to UAT, deployment, and post-go-live support.
  • Drove cross-functional collaboration with Client Services and Engineering teams; served as a strategic advisor to clients and internal leadership.
  • Delivered multimillion-dollar cost savings through process automation, reverse engineering, and AI-powered tools (Amazon Q, CoPilot), enhancing documentation, migration, and delivery precision.
  • Established organization-wide frameworks, toolkits, and governance assets to streamline knowledge management and ensure best practices.
  • Spearheaded career development initiatives: scaled headcount, launched campus hiring, revamped compensation structures, and accelerated team maturity.
  • Partnered with HR, Talent Acquisition, and L&OD teams globally to align workforce strategy with business goals. Managed the Talent Refresh strategy to handle right staffing.
  • Cultivated a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging employees to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
  • Optimized project timelines by effectively delegating tasks and prioritizing workload among team members.
  • Fostered work culture of collaboration and inclusion to increase morale and reduce turnover.
  • Managed risk effectively by identifying potential threats, developing contingency plans, and implementing mitigation strategies in line with overall business objectives.
  • Established data-driven decision-making processes and implemented best practices in analytics to optimize performance across the organization.

Vice President

Deutsche Bank Group
07.2013 - 08.2022
  • Role: Business Analyst/Strategy development/Program Director: Key Result areas-
  • Lead the global delivery for Deutsche Bank’s Positions Reporting Group (PRG) with a ~30-member team, managing tech upgrades and compliance enhancements. Double hatted as the Product Owner for few projects within the compliance group.
  • Lead the Business Analysis group & played the Project Manager role in multiple million-euro global programs across Settlement Processing, Basel IV regulatory reporting, Netting, SWIFT deployments, and Reference Data Management.
  • As Strategy Specialist in the Technology, Data & Innovation division lead the reporting requirements that shaped the bank-wide tech and operational strategy in partnership with executive leadership.
  • Worked with the executive leadership delivering on multiple key areas for the India Tech Center (GCC) strategy across branding, maturity frameworks, and people development initiatives.
  • Redesigned the Vendor Management BU for the Bank by developing the Target Operating Model for Vendor Management, setting up the India division, and hiring 80+ staff in 6 months.
  • Managed €600M vendor portfolio, ensuring full compliance, contract governance, and zero overdue audit findings.
  • Achieved €500K savings in six months by optimizing €40M+ direct vendor spends in collaboration with Treasury, HR, and Legal COOs.
  • Built the bank's first IT spend data model, linking cost allocations to POs to uncover disinvestment opportunities and drive strategic savings.
  • Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
  • Leveraged technology to automate workflows and streamline processes, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings across the organization.
  • Implemented advanced data analytics tools to drive data-driven decision-making across all levels of the organization, leading to better business outcomes.
  • Ensured regulatory compliance at all times by implementing robust internal controls systems coupled with proactive monitoring mechanisms.
  • Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.

Senior Business Analyst

Misys (now Finastra)
05.2007 - 06.2013
  • Led end-to-end product design and delivery for Treasury & Capital Markets applications aligned to global client needs and strategic objectives.
  • Collaborated with international clients on tech stack implementations for trading desks across Exchange-Traded and OTC Derivatives.
  • Specialized in front-to-back trade lifecycle: trade capture, MTM, reporting, settlements, and confirmations across Rates, FX, Equities, and Credit derivatives.
  • Managed stakeholder expectations through transparent communication and timely status updates, ensuring alignment between project deliverables and business objectives.
  • Created detailed user stories for system enhancements, leading to improved functionality and user satisfaction.
  • Facilitated requirement gathering workshops, resulting in clear project objectives and deliverables.
  • Improved project efficiency by analyzing business processes and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Conducted gap analyses to identify discrepancies between current and desired states, leading to actionable recommendations.
  • Supported leadership team with reporting, analysis, and business presentations to inform divisional strategies.
  • Mentored junior analysts on best practices for business analysis techniques, fostering professional growth within the team.
  • Streamlined workflow for better productivity with the implementation of new software solutions.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams, ensuring a cohesive approach to business analysis.

Manager

HCL Technologies
04.2003 - 04.2007
  • Managed OTC Derivatives back-office settlements for global buy-side and sell-side clients.
  • Led multiple offshore business unit transitions, boosting operational efficiency and client satisfaction within IB Operations.
  • Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
  • Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
  • Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
  • Developed a strong company culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.

Associate

Scope International (Subsidiary of Standard Chartered Bank)
01.2001 - 12.2002
  • Authorized Letters of Credit and managed bank-to-bank reimbursements for India Trade Operations.
  • Improved team collaboration by initiating regular coordination meetings.
  • Provided exceptional services and pleasant shopping experiences to retail customers.
  • Developed strong rapport with customers and created positive impression of business.

Education

MBA - Executive MBA

TRIUM
London Business School, NYU Stern & HEC Paris
09-2020

MSc. - International Banking & Financial Studies

University of Southampton
09-2003

B. Com - Commerce, Economics, Accounting & Statistics

Ethiraj College For Women, University of Madras
06-2001

Skills

  • Strategy Development
  • Business Analysis / Product Owner
  • Derivatives & Fixed Income
  • E2E trade life-cycle management
  • Financial Management & Budgeting
  • Program Management
  • Vendor & Contract Management
  • Executive Leadership
  • People management & mentorship
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Marketing concepts
  • Business / Company Valuation
  • Collaborative leadership
  • Culture transformation
  • Team management
  • Policy development
  • Key performance indicators
  • Team building and motivation
  • Organizational development
  • Data analytics
  • Innovation management
  • Strategic planning
  • Process improvement
  • Project management
  • Operations management
  • Contract management

Additional Information

Co-Founder - DesignDuality Inc.

Independent Board Member - Miratech India Pvt Ltd.

Timeline

Senior Director

Epsilon India
09.2022 - Current

Vice President

Deutsche Bank Group
07.2013 - 08.2022

Senior Business Analyst

Misys (now Finastra)
05.2007 - 06.2013

Manager

HCL Technologies
04.2003 - 04.2007

Associate

Scope International (Subsidiary of Standard Chartered Bank)
01.2001 - 12.2002

MBA - Executive MBA

TRIUM

MSc. - International Banking & Financial Studies

University of Southampton

B. Com - Commerce, Economics, Accounting & Statistics

Ethiraj College For Women, University of Madras

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