Student Insight: Chris Cusack, Professional Diploma in Strategic Management

“The programme helped me think more strategically about business models, leadership, culture and organisational change”

We speak with Chris Cusack about his career journey in financial services and his experience of completing the Professional Diploma in Strategic Management in Financial Services with IOB.

Chris shares how the programme helped him build a more strategic understanding of business models, leadership and organisational change as he moves into a new phase of his career.

Hi Chris, thanks for speaking with us. Can you tell us a little about your current role and your career journey in financial services?

The majority of my career has been with IIB Bank/KBC Bank Ireland, I joined after university and worked in finance, risk and operations as I completed my accountancy qualification. I then settled in treasury and progressed to Head of Treasury in 2020 (as covid arrived). I was content in the Head of Treasury role, however KBC exited the Irish market in 2023. I availed of the opportunity to take a career break. I then enrolled in the IOB Professional Diploma programme and shortly after commenced a contract position as Treasury Cash Manager with U.S. Bank Europe DAC. I recently joined PTSB in May in the role of Senior Manager Recovery & Resolution Planning.

You recently completed the Professional Diploma in Strategic Management in Financial Services. What made you interested in taking the programme?

I had worked for twenty-five years in the same organisation and had progressed to a senior position but had not engaged in a substantive education course in decades. As I sought to re-enter the workforce after redundancy and a career break, I wanted to develop and broaden my skillset in financial services and the strategic management focus of this IOB Professional Diploma fit the bill perfectly!

Can you tell us about your experience of the programme?

The Diploma is offered over three modules, the first module was a bit of a culture shock, not because organisational culture was on the curriculum, but rather it had been a long time since I had to prepare academic assessments with bibliographies and I was fearful I would make a mess of them! I overcame that reasonably well in module one and found my stride in the subsequent modules.

What was your favourite aspect of the course?

I enjoyed the linking of strategic theories and frameworks to real life case studies and other current examples reported in the business media. You are also encouraged to think critically about how these strategic ideas might help you shape your own career or approach opportunities and challenges at your workplace.

The programme is delivered online – how did you find the digital learning experience?

The online sessions were delivered as all day sessions on Saturdays. The online delivery was really enhanced by lecturers scheduling periodic breakout sessions which enabled all participants to engage in discussions on selected cases or readings. This provided us with valuable insights from the real-life work experience of our peers on the programme, which supplemented the theoretical frameworks and case studies, and greatly enriched the learning experience. That said the all-day Saturday online sessions in June, July and August were tough going when the weather was nice!

How did you find balancing the programme with your work and other day-to-day responsibilities?

It was challenging for the first module as it had been a long time since I had completed such a course, but I got into the swing of it for the subsequent modules. What worked for me was to join the online sessions live, (rather than view the recordings), try to do some reading/research every week and limit as much as possible your social commitments in the 7-10 days before assessments are due to be submitted.

How do you feel the programme will help you in your role and career journey?

I feel that by completing the programme I demonstrated that, even though I had spent a long period of my career in Treasury in one organisation, I am adaptable and can contribute meaningfully to new organisations and different business functions. The programme also helped me step back from the treasury aspect of financial services and think more strategically about business models, leadership, culture and organisational change. That broader perspective is particularly relevant as I move into my new role in Recovery & Resolution Planning with PTSB.

How would you sum up your experience in one sentence?

Initially, I was worried that I would struggle returning to formal education after such a long period, but I learned a lot, made good connections, exceeded my own expectations, and came away with renewed confidence in my ability to adapt, learn and perform strongly in a new environment.

Progress your career in financial services

Looking to begin or advance your career in financial services? From early career to executive education, IOB’s portfolio of over 50 UCD accredited programmes can help you to strengthen your expertise and broaden your skillset.