Head of Transformation & Projects

About the role

Solaris is Europe's leading embedded finance platform. The organization holds a full German banking license and operates a proprietary modular B2B technology stack. This infrastructure enables partners, from small and medium enterprises to large multinational non-financial corporations, to deliver compliant, customer-centric banking services across industries. Solaris was founded in 2016 and pioneered the Banking-as-a-Service model through a distinct combination of technology and banking expertise. The company is headquartered in Berlin and employs approximately 300 people across Europe.

The organization is seeking a visionary and high-integrity Head of Transformation & Projects to lead its project portfolio and establish standards for execution across the bank. This role reports directly to the Chief of Staff and owns the strategic alignment, governance, and successful delivery of all business-critical initiatives. Responsibilities span digital transformation, IT infrastructure, and regulatory implementation.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a deep understanding of the German regulatory landscape, including MaRisk, DORA, and the European AI Act. A proven track record of leading large-scale change in complex financial environments is required.

Your role will involve strategic portfolio management, overseeing the bank's entire project landscape. You will prioritize initiatives based on return on investment, strategic value, and regulatory deadlines. Regulatory governance forms a core duty, ensuring all project management processes comply with MaRisk and DORA mandates. Methodology leadership will involve standardizing and evolving the project management framework. This fosters a hybrid environment that integrates traditional Waterfall approaches for regulatory and legal work with Agile and Scrum methods for digital products.

Financial oversight is another core duty, requiring active management of the total project budget. This ensures cost transparency, resource optimization, and strict adherence to financial forecasts. Stakeholder management will position you as a key advisor to the Executive Board. You will translate complex project statuses into actionable insights for senior leadership.

Risk and quality management form essential responsibilities. You will implement robust risk identification and mitigation strategies. Integration of the "Three Lines of Defense" principles into project workflows is mandatory. People leadership completes the core duties, requiring you to lead and mentor a team of Senior Project Managers and PMO specialists. This promotes a culture of continuous learning and excellence.

Depending on experience level, responsibilities and scope will vary. The organization does not prioritize fancy titles but emphasizes real personal and professional development. This development is supported by a defined learning framework. You will collaborate to determine how you can best contribute to the team.

A master's degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Business Informatics, or a bachelor's degree with related additional training is required. You must bring 10+ years of experience in project or program management, including at least 5 years in a leadership role within a German bank or financial institution.

Deep expertise in BaFin requirements is essential, specifically MaRisk AT 4.3.2 regarding project management and DORA obligations. Strong negotiation skills are necessary to manage conflicting priorities between IT, business, and compliance. Fluency in German language skills is essential for regulator interaction, along with fluent Business English.

Comfort with AI tools is required, including thinking critically about AI outputs and contributing to a culture of responsible AI use. You will demonstrate comfort with AI-assisted workflows and a willingness to continuously develop AI capabilities as the technology evolves. The ability to dissect complex interdependencies in a highly regulated environment is mandatory. Composure during high-pressure regulatory audits or critical system migrations is equally essential.

Additional benefits include a home office budget. A learning and development budget of €1000 per year supports career goals, backed by a transparent growth framework. The compensation package includes a competitive salary and a variable remuneration program. A monthly meal allowance is also provided.