Neil Patel, MBA

Chief Operating Officer | Banking Executive | Transformation | Strategy | Business Management | Operational Efficiency | Program Execution | Portfolio Management | Governance | Financial Management

Greater Toronto Area, Canada

About

As a COO, I drive strategy and business transformation across global financial institutions. Combined with extensive management consulting experience across diverse industries, I am known for building resilient, high-performing organizations while overseeing $300MM+ budgets, delivering more than $250MM in sustainable enterprise run-rate benefits, and navigating complex regulatory and transformation programs. I design and optimize operating models by establishing enterprise delivery frameworks, productivity and cost-management programs, and rigorous budget and performance reviews. By integrating workforce planning, expense management, and productivity levers, I consistently improve governance, reporting quality, and financial outcomes achieving top-quartile KPIs. Leading large global teams of 350+, I foster an inclusive culture through regular all-hands forums, clear team engagement goals, recognition frameworks and training blocks.

Experience

  • Scotiabank (15 yrs 1 mo)
    • Chief Operating Officer (COO), Global Technology
      2023 - 2026 · 3 yrs

      Reported to Group Head of Global Technology and member of the senior leadership team, responsible for strategy execution, financial engineering, productivity programs, operations, PMO and program delivery, leading a global team of 270+ and $300MM budget.

    • Vice President (VP), Planning & Project Delivery
      2020 - 2023 · 3 yrs

      Reported to SVP, Chief Operating Officer, responsible for supporting Global Technology program delivery across Scotiabank, strategic planning, Technology and Operations project portfolio management, leading a global team of 350+ and a budget of $350MM.

    • Vice President (VP), Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO)
      2017 - 2020 · 3 yrs

      Reported to the SVP, Office of the CIO, responsible for governance over the enterprise project portfolio, driving modernization and remediation across policy, process and standards.

  • Manager, Consulting, Strategy & Operations at Deloitte
    2004 - 2011 · 7 yrs

    Engagement Manager in Strategy and Operations practice with over 20 North American engagements across industries with a focus on enterprise cost reduction, business strategy development, Mergers and Acquisitions, Operations transformation, performance management, and Supply Chain.

  • Commodity Analyst at ArcelorMittal Dofasco
    2002 - 2003 · 1 yr

    Analysis of the global trading market for steel, identifying current and future sources of surplus manufacturing capabilities.