Senior Strategic Analyst

Overview We are seeking a Senior Strategic Analyst to join our team and lead client engagements from kickoff to contract execution. This role blends financial analysis, vendor negotiation, and hands-on project management, guiding clients through discovery, evaluation, and selection of financial technology solutions. The ideal candidate will be highly analytical, detail-oriented, and confident in presenting to executive leadership while managing multiple projects and deadlines. In this role, you will assess client technology stacks, analyze contracts and invoices, prepare Request for Proposals (RFPs), and deliver clear, actionable recommendations that drive measurable cost savings and operational improvements. You will serve as both a trusted advisor and a skilled negotiator—building strong vendor relationships, leading contract negotiations, and ensuring clients achieve the best possible outcomes. This is a dynamic opportunity for an individual who excels at the intersection of strategy, execution, and negotiation. Key Responsibilities Project Management and Client Engagement • Attend and lead project kickoff meetings, setting the stage for discovery, documentation, and execution. • Schedule and facilitate client and vendor meetings, demos, and workshops; ensure the availability of all parties; document outcomes; and create clear agendas and notes. • Serve as primary point of contact throughout the project lifecycle, managing timelines, deliverables, and communication between all stakeholders. • Maintain a professional yet approachable presence, fostering strong relationships while upholding clear boundaries and making confident, wellinformed decisions. Data Analysis and Assessment • Collect and analyze client data, including contracts, amendments, and invoices in multiple formats; convert information into structured Excel datasets. • Perform comprehensive technology stack assessments and lead discovery sessions with clients to capture pain points, gaps, wish list items, and departmental business requirements. • Identify gaps in solutions, assess financial and operational impacts, and provide actionable recommendations. Consulting Deliverables and Presentations • Develop professional consulting reports and deliverables in Microsoft Word, Excel, Ceros, and PowerPoint outlining background, opportunities, financial benefits, competitive landscapes, and cost reduction opportunities. • Take ownership of producing meaningful, accurate, and aesthetically strong work products, doublechecking details and ensuring every deliverable meets professional quality expectations. • Present findings and recommendations to client stakeholders, including executive management, and provide a roadmap of negotiation strategies, timing, and decisionmaking criteria. • Create RFP documents for vendors based on validated requirements and organize incoming vendor responses. Vendor Negotiation and Contract Management • Actively cultivate vendor partnerships and stay plugged into industry developments by attending webinars, conferences, and training sessions, ensuring a deep understanding of product roadmaps and solutions that address client needs. • Negotiate directly with vendors using structured strategies and strong communication to achieve optimal client outcomes. • Redline contracts and amendments with business terms and facilitate communications between vendors and financial institutions to finalize agreements. • Audit final contracts against invoices to ensure pricing accuracy and compliance. • Develop and maintain monitoring tools, trackers, and reporting mechanisms for ongoing client negotiations and vendor management. Collaboration and Support • Provide support and expertise to other team members within the Vendor Link Solutions group as directed. • Contribute to the continuous improvement of methodologies, templates, and best practices. • Apply innovative, outsidethebox thinking to analyze client challenges, develop tailored strategies, and recommend new ideas that strengthen our practice, enhance internal processes, and support client success. Other Skills And Background Required: • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Information Systems, or related field, or equivalent experience. • 5+ years of experience in project management, business analysis, finance, consulting, vendor management, or contract negotiation. • Ability to navigate and analyze banking technology environments—core systems, card networks, lending platforms, and ancillary systems—to support client evaluations and solution design. • Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; ability to transform complex data into clear insights and recommendations. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing professional reports and presenting to executive leadership. • Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong organizational and time management skills. • Demonstrated negotiation skills with vendors and thirdparty providers. • Experience drafting and redlining contracts, creating or responding to RFPs, and related vendor documentation. Preferred: • Experience in financial services, fintech, or technology consulting. • Familiarity with contract lifecycle management, procurement processes, and vendor selection methodologies. • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel). • Proficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM and project management platforms to document activities, monitor timelines, and ensure consistent forward movement on client projects. • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and credibility with clients, vendors, and internal teams. • Comfortable working in a fastpaced, clientfacing environment where priorities may shift. Ceto Commitment Ceto is a committed Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a workplace rooted in trust, respect, and inclusion, and to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with federal law. All employment decisions at Ceto are based on qualifications, performance, and business needs, and are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal law. We are dedicated to fostering a collaborative, high-integrity environment that is free from discrimination and harassment for our employees, candidates, clients, and business partners. Apply tot his job