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.
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain operational readiness plans, checklists, and transition frameworks to support successful project rollout.
Collaborate with operations, business units, SRE teams, and project teams to align deliverables, requirements, and expectations.
Identify operational risks, gaps, and dependencies; recommend and track mitigation actions.
Ensure operational procedures, workflows, SOPs, and contingency plans are created, validated, and approved prior to go-live.
Coordinate and validate staff training, competency assessments, and resource readiness.
Ensure all operational documentation is complete, accurate, and transferred to operational teams.
Develop and track readiness KPIs and provide regular status reports to leadership.
Capture lessons learned and contribute to improving the organization's operational readiness framework and methodologies.
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits program designed to meet the needs of associates.
Full Job Description
Overview
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
Bachelor's degree in business, operations management, engineering, project management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
3-5+ years experience in operations, project coordination, commissioning, or process improvement.
Strong understanding of operational workflows and change management.
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.
About First Citizens Bank
First Citizens Bank is a regional bank that provides a range of financial services to individuals and businesses. The bank offers checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, credit cards, and investment services, as well as online and mobile banking. First Citizens Bank operates more than 500 branches in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The bank was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
