Project Manager

Reporting to the IT Programme and Project Manager, the Project Manager will be required to lead a team through the project lifecycle by planning, scheduling and tracking a project plan on assigned projects. They will ensure that bespoke software solutions are delivered to clients within the timescales required and to the quality expected, making sure all deliverables fall within the applicable scope and budget.

Principal Job Objectives

• Work closely with external client Project Managers and stakeholders to understand the business requirements and project scope
• Lead Business Requirements gathering, workshops, and ensure the completion of as-is and to-be documentation
• Work with Business Analysts and developers to ensure that optimum fit solutions are designed and BRD and functional solution specifications are documented
• Define the Project Plan with the key deliverables, resource requirements, budget and work plan using appropriate tools and techniques
• Advise the IT Programme and Project Manager of any significant likely departure from the agreed plans determining what the implications will be.
• Develop effective working relationships with external partners and internal departments
• Work with the IT Programme and Project Manager and Head of IT to agree the scheduling of all development, testing and releases to production in accordance with client and internal work roadmaps
• Manage, monitor and motivate the cross functional teams assigned to the project.
• Provide the IT Programme and Project Manager with regular updates on progress in the form of presentations, written and verbal reports as required.
• Provide the Project PMO with accurate status updates for all active work streams
• Ensure that defined governance processes are followed for the full project lifecycle through to testing and Live Installation.
• To execute the project lessons learnt process to maximise learning from all projects during and after the execution, carrying out an internal review with the delivery team and actively seeking feedback from the customer; implement any corrective actions to ensure continuous improvement.
• To contribute to the operation of the Project team, supporting the continuous development and improvement project management processes.
• Ensure all mandatory documentation is filed and retained in accordance with established methodology standards.
• Support and work in accordance with OPAL’s ISO27001 and Consumer Duty policies and procedures
• To support and undertake any other Project Management activities as required.

Communication

Ensure that regular, appropriate and consistent communication takes place within the IT department and across other departments within the business

Ensure that all relevant knowledge regarding new projects and CR’s are shared within the IT Team

Attend internal and external client facing meetings as and when required.

Reporting

1. Liaise with IT Programme and Project Manager to ensure project status and reporting is provided in a timely manner in formats specified by them to the required quality standards
2. Provide regular updates around deviation to what has been agreed for a project/CR and identifying risks as early as possible
3. Production of Project reporting as required

Security/Risk

1. Support and work in accordance with OPAL’s ISO27001, DPA, Consumer Duty and other internal policies and procedures.

Competencies required upon recruitment

– Experience within the Financial Services industry

- Minimum 3 years’ experience of working as a Project Manager within a software delivery environment

Operational Excellence – Works to a high standard and continuously seeks opportunities to enhance personal performance, process/systems/service improvements within Project Team.

People – Demonstrates integrity, respect, teaming, leadership and management of handling of all Project and Change Control work. Resilience is required during the pressures of project delivery and in such cases as conflicting priorities or where customer satisfaction is proving difficult.

Commitment – Displays willingness, enthusiasm and flexibility to task completion.

Quality – Pays attention to detail, completes tasks in a timely manner, consistently produces quality outputs

Risk - adverse to risk taking and understands Risk Analysis to avoid undue to risk to the business.

Security Awareness – Understands basic principals of DPA and other forms of protection of data including information systems or assets within an organisation.

Minimum Qualifications required upon recruitment

Educated to degree level ideally in a business related subject.

Prince 2 Foundation & Practitioner or recognised Project Management accreditation

Essential knowledge and experience required at recruitment

• A proven track record of successful project implementation in a software delivery environment
• Good working knowledge of Financial Services specifically Protection and Investments
• Experience of the whole project life cycle, able to support the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, controlling and closing.
• Competent with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project 2010)
• Excellent client facing skills
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• A good commercial awareness of the marketplace OPAL operate in.
• The ability to motivate a project team to meet tight deadlines
• Good People Management skills as follows:

- Anticipates and reacts to change

- Possesses good judgement

- Able to manage conflict

- Persuasion, Resource Management, Time Management, Vision

• Ability to adapt to change with a flexible approach.
• Experience of delivering software change and technologies

Additional Knowledge required to become fully competent

• Understanding of the product particulars in the Protection and Investment space
• Competent knowledge of the Software Development Lifecycle
• Acquire a technical understanding of the software, architecture and infrastructure of OPAL solutions
• Acquire and implement knowledge and security awareness and controls of ISO27001

Performance Management

• Coordinating project teams comprised of people with different skills, experience and status
• The ability to have a strong impact and influence key decisions
• Demonstrate a professional, collaborative and supportive approach to colleagues

Output Responsibility

• Responsible for adhering to working practices and procedures.
• Responsible for building and maintaining good working relationships with clients.