Project Manager

Devonshire Hayes have partnered with a global insurance company to help them secure a Project Manager.The Project Manager is a SFIA level 5 role, which will be responsible for ensuring the successful definition, approach, governance and execution of a wide variety of technology and operational projects.Several projects will need to be managed simultaneously and the role will require an excellent grasp of how to most effectively deliver change to a diverse group of global stakeholders. As such, it will require strong organisation, communication and influencing skills.The role will ensure that benefits are embedded into day-to-day operations, and in line with Firm strategy.Duties and responsibilities

• The incumbent will be expected to perform up to Level 5 of Project Management (PRMG) within the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA). This includes:
• Takes full responsibility for the definition, approach, facilitation and satisfactory completion of medium-scale projects (typically with direct business impact and firm deadlines).
• Identifies, assesses and manages risks to the success of the project.
• Ensures that realistic project plans are maintained and ensures regular and accurate communication to stakeholders.
• Adopts appropriate project management methods and tools whether predictive (plan-driven) approaches or adaptive (iterative/agile) approaches.
• Ensures Quality reviews occur on schedule and according to procedure.
• Manages the change control procedure, and ensures that project deliverables are completed within agreed cost, timescale and resource budgets, and are signed off.
• Provides effective leadership to the project team, and takes appropriate action where team performance deviates from agreed tolerances.

Detailed responsibilities include:

• Work closely with the Projects & Change team to incept projects via the Firm's review and approval process.
• Work closely with the Projects & Change team to ensure projects are appropriately resourced and that the relevant stakeholders engaged, including a suitable sponsor.
• Work closely with sponsors to ensure that benefits are identified and realised.
• Mobilise and lead project teams, typically assembled from various functions and disciplines across the Firm's Business Services groups.
• Organise and direct appropriate governance for all projects, ensuring that it is accurately and promptly informed and able to act.
• Accurately report on all projects with an appropriate cadence to the relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure that any risks and issues are identified and appropriately managed.
• Identify and manage the change management aspects of projects, e.g. recognise changes to the business; identify the relevant stakeholders; develop the appropriate approach; communicate and train the relevant staff, Partners and clients; and generally win support.
• Manage the relevant compliance, legal and commercial aspects of projects, including Data Protection Impact Assessments, the preparation and control of budgets, tenders and related commercial and legal negotiations.
• Manage any third party suppliers as required.
• Work closely with the Projects & Change team to identify and embed any improvements to project delivery at the Firm.
• Ensure all handover, support and systems documentation is produced and signed off, and all relevant support processes and roles are in place to support operations.
• Work with the cyber security team to ensure that applications and related working practices meet all applicable technical and information security practices and standards.
• Any other ad hoc duties as and when required.

Key skills and experience required

• At least 3 years' experience of successful project delivery.
• Practitioner level or equivalent project management qualification from a recognised body, e.g. Axelos or PMI.
• Experience of delivering projects involving cloud technology, e.g. Microsoft Azure, would be beneficial.
• Experience of delivering projects involving agile delivery methods, e.g. SCRUM, would be beneficial.
• Change Management qualification from a recognised body e.g. Prosci, would be beneficial.
• Demonstrable experience of managing teams in a matrix-environment.
• Demonstrable experience of liaising with and influencing up to C-suite and Partners.
• Able to effectively translate and accurately communicate technology matters to senior technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Able to manage stakeholders' expectations when delivering complex change to deadlines.
• Excellent, pragmatic approach to risk and issue management.
• Strong analytical skills with a good understanding of business analysis techniques.
• Professional manner with the ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively.
• Experience of using Microsoft Project, or an equivalent tool, to plan, manage and track projects.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio.