Rathina Kumar Ramachandran

• Directing end-to-end program planning and governance for multi-million dollar banking platform implementations.
• Maintaining strict line-of-sight on timelines, risk mitigation, resource management, and project status.
• Acting as primary liaison and trusted advisor to executive stakeholders and CXOs across client banks.
• coordinating cross-functional teams across geographies (engineering, devops, qa, security, support) to ensure on-time, compliant delivery.
• streamlining program-level dependencies, release planning, and production readiness for implementation projects.
• Administered change requests and governed scope to align with commercial commitments supporting strategic long-term client engagement.

Project/Program:

• Canada DEP & LOS SaaS program
• Diamong Trust Bank Kenya LOS & LMS program
• Arab Bank Corporate LOS implementation

• Managed enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives supporting Flydubai's strategic technology roadmap.
• Led end-to-end project delivery from business case preparation through implementation and post-go-live support.
• Coordinated cross-functional teams across Business, IT, Procurement, Legal, Finance, and external vendors.
• Managed RFP and vendor evaluation processes for enterprise platforms including Customer 360 and HR digital transformation initiatives.
• Developed project governance frameworks, steering committee reports, business cases, and executive presentations.
• Managed project budgets, schedules, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Facilitated executive decision-making by providing program health reports and strategic recommendations.
• Ensured successful stakeholder engagement throughout project lifecycle.

Project/Program:

• New HR Application tracking system (iCIMS)
• Customer 360 Data Platform (RFP & POC)

• Managed a portfolio of strategic banking transformation programs supporting Emirates NBD and Emirates Islamic across multiple international entities.
• Directed enterprise-wide initiatives including Oracle HCM Fusion migration, Local Payments modernization, Core Banking transformation, and regulatory programs.
• Established program governance, portfolio reporting, and executive steering committee reviews.
• Led planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution of multiple concurrent programs while ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Collaborated with senior business leaders, technology teams, operations, compliance, legal, procurement, and external vendors.
• Managed portfolio demand, capacity planning, financial tracking, and resource optimization.
• Directed program risk management, dependency management, issue resolution, and change governance.
• Prepared executive dashboards, investment proposals, business cases, and IT governance approvals.
• Ensured successful delivery through Agile and Waterfall methodologies while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Programs Handled:

• Local payments portfolio for all Entities(ENDB, EI, UK, EGY, SG & IN) from Jan'24 to Jul'24.
• Oracle HCM Fusion migration program from April'22 to Jan'24.
• ECIF and GCIF program in Core banking from Jan'22 to April'22.
• Weekend change program for ENDB & EI from Nov'21 to Dec'21.

Client: Standard Chartered Global Business Services.

• Supporting the Program manager for managing the Standard Chartered Cash Domain BAU Enhancements Program with approx. budget of $19 Mio each year.
• Managing assigned projects E2E for Payments area(Both international and domestic for various countries) in cash domain.
• Work closely with Cash Product team and Business to clarify and define project requirements and business case.
• Collaborate with core banking, channels and other downstream systems to ensure seamless integration and delivery.
• Worked with teams to define test approach and prepare test cases across all testing phases.
• Resolve or assist in the resolution of conflicts within and between projects or functional areas.
• Monitor and manage the project budget, schedule, risk and issues.

• Managing the IT deliverables (Programs & Projects) for all the UAE Central bank payments applications (Fund Transfer system, Direct Debit system, Image Cheque and clearing system & Wage protection System) and international transfers(SWIFT).
• Lead pre-initiation, initiation, planning and implementation of projects.
• Responsible for seeking necessary approvals for the project from IT Advisory Board / IT Steering Committees.
• Facilitate the definition of project missions, goals, tasks, and resource requirements.
• Responsible for assembling the project staff; for their technical or functional development, performance, and/or termination during the project.
• Manage project budget and resource allocation.
• Work cross-functionally to solve problems with IT & Business and implement changes.
• Ensure contracts are in compliance with Bank and Regulatory requirements.
• Manage third party relationships complying with Bank's policies and procedures.
• Work with legal and procurement departments in modifying Bank contracts to mitigate bank risk.

• Overall delivery of the project and full compliance to the project management procedure in payments domain.
• Consolidation of functional / business requirements Coordinating with IT procurement team for smooth and timely floating of RFPs /RFQs.
• Developing and obtaining sign off for Investment analysis and recommendation.
• Coordinating with IT procurement to streamline contract negotiation and signing.
• Liaising with different vendors for the quality and timely delivery.
• Control cost, scope and schedule variances to execute the project as planned

• Led change management initiatives supporting critical technology and process transformations across banking operations, ensuring minimal disruption and high user adoption.
• Conducted business analysis to gather and validate requirements, perform impact assessments, and translate needs into actionable project deliverables.
• Collaborated with stakeholders across business, IT, and operations to define project scope, prioritize change requests, and align delivery timelines.
• Facilitated workshops and training sessions to drive awareness, readiness, and adoption of new systems and processes.
• Managed project plans, risks, and dependencies for change rollouts, ensuring alignment with regulatory and business priorities.
• Provided governance and oversight for change implementation by coordinating testing (UAT/SIT), cutover planning, and post-go-live support.
  
• Served as liaison between business users and technical teams to bridge functional requirements and system capabilities.

• Led the implementation of new reconciliation companies across all Asia Pacific branches.
• Developed initial project charters and plans, securing necessary approvals.
• Defined project milestones and scheduled regular reviews to track progress.
• Established an issue log and resolution process, including escalation protocols to the sponsor group.
• Oversaw the end-to-end implementation of Nostro, Securities, FX, System to System, and Internal reconciliations for BNP Paribas Securities Services across ASPAC branches, utilizing SunGard's IntelliMATCH V8.1 SP2 application.
• Analyzed and understood new business requirements, acting as a key liaison between client locations (SPOKE) and the IT team at the Paris Hub.
• Coordinated effectively with Operations teams at client locations, the IT team, and external vendors to ensure successful project completion.

Client: Noor Islamic Bank, UAE

• Developed transition plans and manuals for smooth migration of processes from onshore.
• Prepared and signed off Process Migration Manuals.
• Created and signed off SOP/Process Manuals for various processes handled at CASA ASU.
• Coordinated with the Client for achieving process effectiveness and efficiency.
• Trained processing staff on banking products.

• Map global client requirements and coordinate the development and implementation of processes aligned with guidelines.
• Handle various payment investigations and reconciliations across regions (UK, UAE, ASPAC, & EMEA).
• Manage and coach team members to ensure adherence to processes and policies.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide feedback to team members.