Overview:

The Senior Market Activation Lead is responsible for shaping the Bank’s presence, influence, and growth across assigned markets. This role drives market‑level activation strategies that strengthen community engagement, deepen priority client relationships, build local partnerships, and position the Bank as a trusted economic and social leader.

Working closely with Retail, Business Banking, Commercial, Wealth, CRA, Charitable Giving, Corporate Affairs, Marketing, and local market leadership, the Lead ensures coordinated execution, consistent brand presence, and measurable community impact.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Co-Lead the design and execution of market‑level activation strategies that expand engagement, accelerate growth, and increase market share.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of client engagement and community initiatives, assembling cross‑functional teams and ensuring seamless delivery.
• Develop annual community engagement plans, including charitable giving, sponsorships, financial education programs, volunteerism, local innovation efforts, and strategic partnerships.
• Prioritize and structure market activities to create clarity, rhythm, and consistent execution across geographies.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for key community partners—charitable organizations, economic development groups, academic institutions, and local leaders.
• Evaluate partnership opportunities and recommend the optimal investment, activation approach, and community impact strategy.
• Collaborate closely with CRA, Charitable Giving, PR, Corporate Affairs, and Market Managers to ensure aligned and compliant engagement efforts.
• Act as the “field conductor,” equipping business partners with activation tools, messaging, events, and partnership support. 
• Develop market-facing playbooks, ceremonies, and engagement experiences that deepen customer connections and encourage employee participation.
• Strengthen the Bank’s presence by ensuring consistent brand representation and meaningful client touchpoints.
• Foster a culture of engagement, belonging, and alignment with the Bank’s values.
• Leverage data sets, demographic insights, and competitive analysis to guide market decisions and optimize future activation priorities.
• Lead the development of reporting, dashboards, governance materials, and/or executive updates for senior leadership and market forums.
• Support the assessment event ROI, sponsorship performance, and community impact to refine strategies and justify investments.
• Ensure adherence to risk, regulatory, and documentation standards related to activation and community initiatives.
• Provide leadership to assigned staff, including hiring, coaching, performance management, and talent development.
• Promote an agile, innovative, and collaborative team environment focused on excellence in market activation.
• Strengthen internal controls and support timely completion of audit or regulatory remediation activities.

Education and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and 9+ years of relevant experience, or a combined 14 years of education and experience, including at least 9 years in relevant strategic, community, market, or program leadership roles.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience.
• Strong and demonstrated collaboration across multiple business lines
• Relationship building excellence with strong stakeholder influencing skills
• Advanced analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with demonstrated success influencing at senior levels.
• Experience working in fast-paced, matrixed environments.
• Expertise with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, project management, email, and file-sharing software.

Education and Experience Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant experience; 7+ years of leadership level experience.
• Expertise within the market with understanding of top clients, stakeholders and financial services experience
• Formal project management or change management training (PMP, Lean, Six Sigma, Change Management certification), or Agile experience
• Background in community development, client engagement, strategy, marketing activation, or field enablement.
• Demonstrated curiosity, innovation mindset, and ability to build and scale community programs.

M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $149,600.00 - $249,400.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America