MPF Systems Implementation Manager

Who we are

Our mission at FHLBank Chicago: To partner with our members in Illinois and Wisconsin to provide them competitively priced funding, a reasonable return on their investment, and support for their community investment activities.

Simply said, we're a bank for banks and other financial institutions, focused on being a strategic partner for our members and working together to reinvest in our communities, from urban centers to rural areas. Created by Congress in 1932, FHLBank Chicago is one of 11 Federal Home Loan Banks, government sponsored in support of mortgage lending and community investment.

What it’s like to work here

At FHLBank Chicago, we bring people together. We are committed to a high performing, engaged workforce, and to supporting the communities we serve across Illinois and Wisconsin. Our Buddy Program pairs new hires with tenured employees to guide their onboarding. Our professional development and training opportunities through upskilling, mentorship programs, and tuition reimbursement allow employees to grow their career with us. Our collaborative, in-office operating model brings teams together to foster innovation, connection, and shared success. To support balance and flexibility, employees are provided with an allocation of remote days to use as needed throughout the year.

What you’ll do

The Systems Implementation Manager is part of a team with overall responsibility for guiding the implementation of systems enhancement and change efforts in support of MPF Program strategy and goals.  Systems managed by this role are responsible for managing the MPF Program’s national secondary market first mortgage purchase program and the suite of applications that supporting loan pricing and acquisition, loan custody, loan servicing, and the distribution of data to our investor community and other stakeholders.  Functionally in these systems include managing customer data, transaction processing and loan operations management, risk management, loan accounting, and reporting.  This position will work as part of the MPF Program team.  The responsibilities of this position include serving as the Product Owner within the Agile methodology. The position will be working with multiple teams on various initiatives requiring careful planning, priority alignment, and coordination of efforts with other initiatives within and outside of MPF Operations and key external stakeholders.  

How you'll make an impact

• Shape the future of the MPF Program. Lead the strategy, prioritization, and delivery of critical technology and operational enhancements that support loan acquisition, servicing, risk management, and investor reporting across one of the Bank's most important business lines.

• Turn ideas into business value. Partner with business leaders, technology teams, and external stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions that improve efficiency, strengthen operations, and enhance the experience for members, customers, and investors.

• Drive innovation through product leadership. Serve as a Product Owner for key MPF systems, guiding roadmaps, managing priorities, and helping teams deliver scalable solutions that support the Program's long-term growth and evolving business needs.

What you can expect

• Serve as Agile Product owner working with one or more MPF Program systems.
• Manage and prioritize product backlogs and roadmaps. Support IT delivery teams ability to execute and deliver.
• Define priorities to achieve business vision and manage project scope and functional requirements via user stories for assigned systems and projects. Support estimation processes to achieve accurate estimates of project cost, time and outcomes.
• Work with cross functional groups to define and implement increments of business value including changes to processes and technology in accordance with established policy guidelines and standards.
• Participate on project teams to support efficient implementation of system enhancements and other required changes.
• Facilitate planning and execution of change management, training, knowledge management and UAT validation activities.
• Collaborate with IT architects and delivery teams to ensure system design meets business requirements, anticipate future needs and functions in conjunction with other initiatives, and existing system functionality.
• Identify operational, technical or data related changes to improve efficiency and quality within MPF operations and systems.
• Identify risks and mitigation strategies related to systems and operational initiatives.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define and implement initiatives aligned with Bank goals.
• Facilitate the prioritization, refinement and planning of projects and change efforts.
• Prepare documentation and present proposals for business and technical initiatives for approval.
• May assist with vendor relationships, i.e., contract negotiations, support and development initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

What you'll bring

• 8+ years  experience with managing and supporting first mortgage financial systems, process integration, data integration and reporting.
• 8+ years  business and project implementation experience.
• 5+ years Agile, Product Owner experience.
• 10+ years mortgage industry experience. Federal Home Loan Bank specific experience a plus.
• Strong understanding of Bank mission, strategy and goal required.
• Strong understanding of Bank products, services and customers required.
• Strong business analysis skills required.      
• Experience with Agile Scrum methods and tools essential.     
• Experience with API functionality and development.
• Understanding of capital markets and wholesale lending operations, or affordable housing finance required.
• Understanding of software development fundamentals essential.
• Understanding of product management fundamentals essential. 
• Understanding of process improvement methodologies essential.
• Ability to understand technical architecture, data integration and data management best practices and techniques.
• Must be able to learn, understand, apply new operational processes and technologies.
• Proficiency with analyzing and presenting data related to Bank systems and processes essential.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment required.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate advanced leadership skills and behaviors required.
• Expert level interpersonal and relationship management skills essential.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required.
• Customer service orientation required
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite of applications and Azure DevOps preferred.

The Perks

At FHLBank Chicago, we believe in rewarding our high performing workforce. We offer a highly competitive compensation and bonus package, and access to a comprehensive benefits program designed to meet the needs of our employees. Our retirement program includes a 401(k) and pension plan. Our wellbeing program supports employees at work and in their personal lives: Our PTO plan provides five weeks of vacation for new employees and 11 paid holidays per year; our Lifestyle Spending Account provides an annual stipend for employees to support wellbeing activities; and our central downtown location at the Old Post Office provides easy access to public transportation and breathtaking views from our award-winning rooftop. Visit FHLBCbenefits.com for additional details about our benefits. Step into a brighter future with us.

Salary Range:

The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition.  Ultimately, in determining your pay, we may also consider your experience, and other job-related factors. In addition to the base salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package which can be found here: https://hrportal.ehr.com/fhlbc