Assistant Vice President, Banking Product Subject Matter Expert
Banking & Financial Services Consulting, NA
About Cognizant Consulting
Cognizant Consulting is a global community of more than 5,000 experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. We blend industry depth with technology advisory capability to deliver innovative solutions for leading financial institutions.
About the Role
As a Banking Product Subject Matter Expert (Product SME) within Cognizant's Banking & Financial Services (BFS) Consulting practice, you will guide major transformation initiatives requiring deep expertise across core banking, risk, compliance, and supporting ecosystem platforms.
Unlike a traditional Banking SME whose focus centers on banking operations and domain processes, this role requires deep, comparative knowledge of market leading banking products and platforms-including their strengths, weaknesses, overlaps, integration patterns, and complementary value.
The expectation is that the Banking Product SME will leverage platform-led insights to shape consulting opportunities and contribute to pipeline creation by
developing POVs on platform strengths and modernization strategies
leading platform focused discovery sessions
advising on platform strategy, selection, modernization pathways, and vendor ecosystems while shaping solution architectures and supporting go-to-market efforts In this Role, You Will: Domain & Product Leadership
Provide actionable expertise across major core banking platforms, risk and compliance systems, digital banking suites, and associated banking technology ecosystems
Evaluate and compare platform capabilities across multiple vendors, articulating where products overlap, compete, or complement each other
Advise clients on product selection, integration strategy, and long-term platform roadmaps Revenue & Growth Support Go-to-Market & Sales Enablement
Partner with account teams to develop differentiated proposals based on product ecosystems
Lead pursuits involving core modernization, risk/compliance transformation, and platform-based digital banking programs
Influence vendor selection and partnership strategy based on objective product knowledge Delivery Excellence
Guide transformation programs including
Core banking replacement and consolidation
Digital channel platform enablement
Risk and compliance modernization (AML, KYC, Fraud, Transaction Monitoring)
Workflow and case management modernization
Maintain alignment between business requirements, product capabilities, and delivery execution Solution Development
Develop reusable product comparison frameworks, capability heatmaps, integration models, and modernization accelerators
Provide product-level insights into architectural patterns, extensibility models, and ecosystem integration opportunities Operational Rigor
Provide oversight across business cases, product fit assessments, RFP/RFI processes, and governance models
Ensure predictable performance and accuracy in scope definition during platform-driven engagements Client Leadership
Build trusted relationships with technology, operations, and product executives
Serve as a visible platform expert in transformation conversations and vendor strategy sessions Talent & Organization
Mentor consulting teams on product architecture, vendor capabilities, and ecosystem integration
Support recruitment of product specialists and functional architects Work Model This hybrid role requires up to 3 days per week at client or Cognizant locations depending on engagement needs. Travel may be required for client workshops, platform assessments, and executive engagements What You Must Have to Be Considered Deep Product & Platform Expertise
15+ years of hands-on experience with major core banking, digital banking, risk, compliance, and payments platforms
Expert-level understanding of vendor ecosystems such as FIS, Fiserv, Temenos, Finastra, Q2, nCino, Salesforce Financial Services Cloud, Actimize, SAS AML, and similar platforms
Demonstrated ability to contrast features, capabilities, data models, integration patterns, and scalability across competing platforms Technology & Transformation Leadership
Experience leading large-scale platform modernization, including core conversions, product migrations, and digital platform integration Regulatory & Risk Expertise
Understanding of FFIEC, OCC, FDIC, and compliance expectations Consulting & Executive Engagement
Strong ability to communicate complex product differences to both technical and executive stakeholders
Proven success shaping platform-centric transformation strategies AI / Automation Experience
Experience in applying AI, workflow automation, case management, and analytics to enhance platform capabilities Education & Certifications
Bachelor's required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
PMP, CSM, or technology-specific certifications are a strong plus These Will Help You Succeed
Experience developing reusable platform comparison IP
Strong network within banking products and fintech vendor ecosystems
Ability to challenge vendor narratives with objective, data-driven product evaluation Success Criteria for this Role Pipeline Generation & Market Impact
Contribution to platform-centric opportunities and solutioning
Influence on multi-service transformation deals anchored in product modernization Sales & Revenue Contribution
Positive impact on platform-aligned pursuits and win rates Client Satisfaction & Account Growth
High satisfaction with product strategy assessments and platform recommendations Delivery Quality & Engagement Outcomes
High-quality platform fit assessments, RFP recommendations, and modernization roadmaps Practice & Talent Development
Development of consultants with meaningful platform fluency
Contribution to reusable frameworks and product evaluation models Pay Transparency Salary and Other Compensation: Applications will be accepted until July 2nd, 2026.The annual salary for this position is between $176,400 - $280,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans. Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:· Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance· Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off· 401(k) plan and contributions· Long-term/Short-term Disability· Paid Parental Leave· Employee Stock Purchase PlanDisclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
