Project Manager

1st Century Bank, a division of MidFirst Bank, is a full service bank with a vision of unparalleled client service in Southern California. The Bank's core principles are flexibility, responsiveness, and the ability to create tailored solutions, coupled with its commitment to provide exceptional client service. Our bankers work in a team effort to develop a deep understanding of their clients, and work with and on their behalf to develop solutions tailored to meet their needs. Nothing is overlooked. Everything is considered.

The Project Manager is responsible for identifying, managing, and driving execution of strategic and operational improvement initiatives across the enterprise. This individual contributor role is central to advancing the bank's client experience, internal efficiencies, and long-term strategic objectives by managing projects that span both technical and non-technical domains.

This position will coordinate across departments to gather input on challenges and opportunities for improvement, and will develop feasible, risk-conscious solutions that are aligned with how the bank operates. The role requires both critical thinking and practical execution-translating complex problems into actionable initiatives that enhance performance, usability, and effectiveness across teams.

Key responsibilities of Project Manager:

• Manage and oversee full project lifecycle - from initial scope to implementation - including stakeholder training pre-launch and structured post-launch evaluations to assess effectiveness, capture insights, and inform future enhancements.
• Ensure projects are executed in line with bank strategy, specifications, and operational specifications.
• Engage stakeholders across departments to document challenges and identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and recommend solutions that are aligned with business needs, regulatory requirements, and operational constraints.
• Analyze and document inefficient or siloed processes, and propose streamlined alternatives.
• Manage and oversee execution of enhancements, including collaboration and coordination with cross-functional teams and third-party vendors.
• Work with executives, department heads and other relevant stakeholders to align initiatives with strategic goals and client experience improvements.
• Coordinate with internal partners and vendors to define technical requirements and deliver solutions.
• Serve as the liaison between business lines, technology, operations, marketing, and leadership teams.
• Provide consultative insights to enhance performance across systems, processes, forms, and tools.
• Track status of key initiatives and ensure timely issue resolution and escalation where needed.
• Maintain detailed documentation and progress reporting for active initiatives.
• Lead change management efforts and internal training tied to implemented improvements.
• Define and execute testing strategies to validate enhancements prior to implementation.
• Evaluate effectiveness of implemented solutions to ensure they are functioning as intended and delivering expected outcomes.
• Act as subject matter expert on enterprise-wide implementation best practices and scalable improvement strategies.
• Support development of project plans with milestone breakdowns and cross-team dependencies.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
• Minimum 5 years of experience with managing large, complex projects and programs
• 5+ years of experience in tracking, planning initiatives and making data-driven analytical decisions
• Proven track record with strategic planning and program management
• Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely

Competencies:

• Advanced capability in the program management disciplines especially with regard to organization and planning, risk management, ownership and accountability, and communications.
• Strong experience in project management, business analysis, and/or process improvement.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex challenges into actionable, scalable solutions.
• Familiarity with risk mitigation, regulatory considerations, and the importance of operational feasibility.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage shifting priorities in a dynamic environment.

Salary Range: $120,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.