Sam Bitar

Experience

• 

  Webster Five

  Apr 2001 - Aug 2020

  Vice President/Business Systems Manager

  Working independently under the supervision of the Senior Vice President, manages a team responsible for providing project management, business analysis and technical application expertise to the bank’s business units. Coordinates project planning, scheduling, testing and implementation of new and upgraded applications, products and services. Ensures that project scope and objectives align with business strategies. Manages selected applications and bank vendors to ensure software and services are meeting bank needs and contractual agreements.Prior to my current role, I held the position of business analyst in Operations as well as various positions within the branch network from teller to branch manager. Show less

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  Webster Five Foundation

  Feb 2013 - Apr 2019

  Executive Director

  In addition to my primary responsibilities at Webster Five, I served as the Executive Director/Treasurer for the Webster Five Foundation, the charitable giving arm of the bank. The Webster Five Foundation reinforces the bank’s long-term initiative to give back to the community by supporting local organizations that are making a difference.

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  Oxford Public Schools

  May 2014 - May 2017

  School Committee (Chair, July 2015 - May 2017)

  I served a three-year term on the School Committee in Oxford, MA. During that time, I advocated for a fair and responsible budget, promoted rigorous instruction and course offerings at all grade levels, supported our dedicated staff, participated in contract negotiations with all of the district's collective bargaining units, and led the committee in participating in the MASC District Governance Program, which led to the creation of its Operating Protocols. During my term on the committee, the district went from a level 3 accountability rating to a level 2, and the high school went from a level 3 accountability rating to a level 1. Show less

• 

  Finastra

  Aug 2020 - now

  As a Director of US Mid-Market Core Digital and Analytics products, I lead strategic initiatives to deliver innovative solutions that empower financial institutions to thrive in a rapidly evolving market. My role encompasses client enablement, product strategy, and team leadership to enhance the value and impact of core banking technology.Key Responsibilities: • Oversee the Client Enablement & Training team, driving improvements in training delivery and the development of modernized learning materials to enhance client learning and development. • Spearhead strategic product enhancements, including the integration of AI-driven capabilities, user experience (UX) redesigns, and real-time payment solutions. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions that address client needs and align with market trends. • Advocate for software competency, equipping clients to maximize their investment and leverage core, digital, and analytics banking technology to its fullest potential. • Leverage extensive experience in banking operations, retail branch management, and business development to align product solutions with the unique challenges of financial institutions.In this role, I am passionate about enabling client success through cutting-edge technology, strategic foresight, and a commitment to excellence in product delivery. Show less ESG Site Leader for ~600 virtual employees based in the Unites States. In addition to my primary role in product management, lead ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance formerly Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR) initiatives for our fully remote employees. This role had been vacant, so I worked to form a volunteer committee with a goal of building awareness and engaging the workforce to participate in volunteer opportunities that align with Finastra’s ESG pillars of Financial Inclusion, Social Equity, and Environment Mission. Also serve as a member of the US Virtual Employees Site Leadership Team, which works to engage our workforce and keep them informed of company initiatives. Show less Leads a team of training advisors and business consultants who ensure customer satisfaction and good representation of Finastra and its products by providing high quality training, implementation, and professional services for Finastra products.• Conduct on-site and web-based product training for external clients• Demonstrate knowledge and application of standards, principles, theories, concepts, techniques, practices, and procedures in banking/credit union operations• Track external audience learning activities and measure their effectiveness• Maintain internal Training Databases• Verification of external training databases for Fusion Phoenix Conversions/Migrations• Oversee the additions and modifications of online (self-paced) training sessions and written training guides• Actively participates in team meetings• Recommend any changes or enhancements to products, processes, and services• Promotes and maintains positive customer relations• Manage travel schedules, ensuring compliance to policies Show less • Serves as the key contact for strategic vision and new product ideas for core banking offerings.• Provide direction and set priorities for product enhancements, including delivery of 1, 2, 3 year product road maps. Creates recommendations and feature definition based on research to address market opportunities.• Develops and recommends product/solutions positioning, packaging, and pricing strategy to produce the highest possible long-term success.• Gathers and aggregates business/market requirements to define why and what the product set should be doing.• Works with product marketing to develop effective communication activities and programs including advertising, events management, product positioning and collateral development.• Works with Development, Project management and other stakeholders on disciplined product launches for the entire product lifecycle.• Lead user conferences sessions on assigned product(s) and general industry topics.• Works with the Group Leader and PMO to identify continuous improvement opportunities for Product Management processes.• Assist other departments in the resolution of escalated customer problems when needed. • Provides appropriate guidance to the sales organization regarding pre-sales and sales efforts. Show less

  • Director

    Dec 2024 - now

  • ESG Site Leader, US Virtual Employees

    Jun 2021 - now

  • Sr. Manager, Client Enablement & Training - Universal Banking, U.S. Mid Markets

    Jan 2023 - Dec 2024

  • Lead Product Manager, Core Banking

    Aug 2020 - Dec 2024