Bank Project Manager at HCS Africa

Our client a well-established multinational bank seeks to recruit a well experienced and results oriented Senior Technology project Manager

The senior project lead will be tasked with planning and taking responsibility for the overall programme objectives – providing  project management and direction to ensure overall success of programme portfolio by developing programme implementation plans including scope of individual initiatives, goals, scheduling and defined deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Define programme success criteria, in collaboration with project sponsors and stakeholders.
• Effectively communicate programme expectations to team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion.
• Estimate the resources and participants needed to achieve programme goals.
• Proactively manage full life-cycle of assigned Technology initiatives, including overall programme plan, scope, change control, risks, issues, impacts, and reporting through standardization and best practice programme implementation.
• Develop full-scale programme plans and associated communications documents.
• Collaborate to develop, and appropriately executes, a communication strategy, including stakeholder analysis, ongoing communications and adoption plans.
• Capture/analyze and draft information into meaningful MI reports for senior management, stakeholders, team reporting and presentation purposes – determine the frequency and content of status reports from the project team, analyze results, troubleshoot problem areas and deliver overall progress reports to senior management.
• Negotiate with department managers, when necessary, regarding the support of required personnel within the organization to ensure individual project continuity through completion.
• Act as the Business Change interface and escalation point for all programme issues/concerns/actions.
• Engage collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure appropriate prioritization of delivery.
• Ensure Programme and Project Governance is observed including adherence to defined operational acceptance procedures and testing/approval process.
• Ensure quality Assurance for Audit, Risk and Governance across all the projects in the Programme portfolio.
• Guide and govern suppliers for Programme related activities ensuring they understand and adopt Bank agreed standards and architectures along with adhering to policy and procedures.
• Work across all in-Country functions and act as an interface point between business and Technology
• Coach, mentor, motivate and supervise projects team members and influence them to take positive action and accountability for assigned work

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution, Masters preferred.
• Degree level education in an analytical subject would be beneficial
• PMP qualification or other Project Management certification
• Strong familiarity with project management software – MUST be able to demonstrate competency with MS Project 2010+. MS Project Server experience preferred.
• (8+) years’ experience and exposure to the Banking/ICT Industry
• (10+) years direct work experience in a project management capacity, including all aspects of process development and execution
• Able to display a thorough understanding of technology strategic issues in the financial services sector
• Good understanding of ITIL processes and associated concepts.
• Demonstrable communication and presentation experience;
• Must be able to work under pressure, take clear ownership of issues and projects and drive to ensure a successful closure for the customer, peers and stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience in project financial management – budget preparation and managing to budget;
• Experience working within a Global or Regional role
• Familiarity with ITIL-style management procedures and mainstream project management styles a distinct advantage;
• Experience of financial services preferred;

Minimum Knowledge & Skills

• Subject matter expert (SME) in all aspects of project management and applicable business functions
• Senior stakeholder management skills (Advanced)
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
• Established strategic and critical analysis skills (Advanced)
• Knowledge of SDLC Principles and Practices (Advanced)
• Knowledge of programme and project management best practices (Advanced)
• Knowledge of banking and IT practices (Solid)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and MS Project Server

Minimum Competencies

• Deciding and initiating action
• Learning and researching
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Relating and networking
• Adapting and responding to change
• Persuading and influencing
• Creating and innovating
• Strong written and oral communication skills