Job Purpose:
Our client is seeking an experienced department head to oversee the functions of the Delivery team.
The ideal candidate will have proven experience as a Program Manager with a track record of successfully launching and optimising digital products, including solid understanding of Project Management, Business Analysis and Software Quality Assurance.
Working with large-scale, long-term IT solution / transformation projects and programmes. Big-picture, strategic thinking and strong leadership skills will be required to enable the candidate to successfully position the Delivery Team (Project Management and Business Analysis). Comprehensive understanding of the financial industry (with the focus on the Payments landscape) in South Africa will be an added advantage.
Preferred Requirements:
- Relevant tertiary qualification B.Com Informatics/ BSc Computer Science / N.Dip Informatics.
- Project Management Diploma (Prince2, PMBOK),
- Good knowledge, exposure and handling of project and program management methodology and techniques inclusive of OKR’s, AGILE, Scrum and/or SAFe.
- 5+ years’ leadership experience,
- 5+ years’ experience in Project Management, preferably in a program management role,
- 5+ years of experience collaborating with development teams in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating the ability to manage multiple projects, stay organized, and prioritise deadlines effectively
- Ability to work positively with a wide range of individuals and business units involved in program management,
- Experience in Project Risk identification, mitigation and management,
- Experience in IT solution project implementation with Agile project principles,
- Experience in the financial sector, preferable banking and insurance will be an advantage
- Experience leading and motivating a team.
- Training/Experience in using Agile will be an added advantage
Personality Attributes:
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent presentation skills
- Strong management and leadership skills
- Strong interpersonal, conflict management and negotiation skills
- Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision-making capabilities, with the ability to translate complex insights into actionable strategies and initiatives
- Solution orientated with strong problem-solving skills
- Methodical, logical and well organized
- Deadline driven and goal orientated
- Self-motivated, resilient and adaptable
- Competent in Microsoft Office Tools, MS Project, and Jira (Atlassian)
- High aptitude for learning
Role Responsibilities:
- Lead the end-to-end program lifecycle, from ideation to implementation, for key initiatives within the company's product portfolio.
- Managing dependencies and interfaces between projects.
- Ensure timely delivery of projects, within scope and budget.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to establish program vision, strategy, and roadmap, aligning with business objectives and customer needs
- Line management of the project management and business analysis capabilities, whilst resources are deployed in a matrix manner to cross-functional agile development teams.
- Collaborate with IT peers and assign project-specific resources as required.
- Typically involves extensive interaction with sales, solution architects, product development, and other members of cross-functional teams
- Assist in managing the planning and development of solution implementation programmes and projects.
- Ensure projects are executed according to project constraints to deliver programmes and that all project documentation is completed in a timely manner.
- Engagement with Project Managers to regularly review issues and monitor progress.
- Monitor and report on the progress of solution implementation programmes and report on blockers, challenges and issues.
- Engage with the business analysis team lead and ensure that business analysis work products are developed and delivered within agreed project timeframes.
- Engage with the software quality assurance team lead and ensure that software testing is completed and signed off within agreed project timeframes.
- Contributing to the IT divisional strategy and specifically the development of strategies, policies and procedures for the project and development support functions which include project management and business analysis.
- Report on progress and key issues to the project sponsor and project board and advising them of the potential project impact and recommended actions to be taken.
- Improve tools and methods and share learning and best practices.
- Manage day-to-day operational matters i.e. recruitment, leave.
- Staff performance management.
- Motivate, develop and coaches team members.
