Operational Readiness Specialist

Overview

As First Citizens Bank continues to grow and mature within the Large Financial Institution (LFI) space, we are investing in greater resilience, responsiveness, and operational discipline across our technology and business landscape.  The Operational Readiness Specialist ensures that new projects, systems, processes, or facilities are fully prepared for safe, efficient, and successful operation prior to launch. This role bridges the gap between project delivery and ongoing operations, coordinating stakeholders, validating requirements, identifying risks, and confirming that all people, processes, and tools are in place for a seamless transition.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Readiness Planning:
  Develop and maintain operational readiness plans, checklists, and transition frameworks to support successful project rollout.
• Cross-Functional Coordination:
  Collaborate with operations, business units, SRE teams and project teams to align deliverables, requirements, and expectations.
• Risk Identification & Mitigation:
  Identify operational risks, gaps, and dependencies; recommend and track mitigation actions.
• Process & Procedure Development:
  Ensure operational procedures, workflows, SOPs, and contingency plans are created, validated, and approved prior to go-live.
• Training & Competency:
  Coordinate and validate staff training, competency assessments, and resource readiness.
• Documentation & Handover:
  Ensure all operational documentation is complete, accurate, and transferred to operational teams.
• Performance Metrics:
  Develop and track readiness KPIs and provide regular status reports to leadership.
• Continuous Improvement:
  Capture lessons learned and contribute to improving the organization’s operational readiness framework and methodologies.

Qualifications

• Minimum Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree and 2 years' experience OR High School Diploma or GED/Equivalent and 6 years' experience in Systems Support, or Analytics, or Operational Support

Preferred: 

• 3–5+ years experience in operations, project coordination, commissioning, or process improvement.
• Strong understanding of operational workflows and change management.
• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional stakeholders.
• Excellent problem-solving and risk-assessment skills.
• Strong communication, organization, and documentation abilities.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies is an asset.
• Industry-specific certifications (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, ITIL, PMP) are beneficial.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Collaboration and stakeholder management
• Adaptability in fast-paced environments
• Process-oriented mindset
• Strong facilitation and communication skills

Additional Information

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at https://jobs.firstcitizens.com/benefits.