Principal Project Manager

Finastra; United Arab Emirates; Hybrid; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global financial technology firm is seeking a Principal Project Manager to oversee large-scale projects, ensuring delivery within scope and budget. You will lead project development, maintain strong client relationships, and manage project teams. The role requires 15+ years of experience and fluency in Arabic. You will be part of a dynamic environment dedicated to fostering inclusion and innovation, with flexibility and comprehensive benefits offered.

Benefits

Unlimited vacation

Hybrid working arrangements

Mental health support

Medical, life & disability insurance

Paid time off for volunteering

Career development programs

Qualifications

• 15+ years of end-to-end Project Management experience.
• Experience with customer-facing projects.
• Experience developing project budgets based on WBS.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of the project intake process.
• Manages multiple mid to large scale projects.
• Identifies and communicates resource requirements.

Skills

Project Management

Fluent in Arabic

Risk Management

Job description

Who are we?

At Finastra, we are a dynamic global provider of open finance software solutions, dedicated to expanding access to financial services. Our innovative applications span Lending, Payments, Treasury and Capital Markets, and Universal Banking. Proudly serving over 8,000 customers, including 45 of the world’s top 50 banks, we aim to boost financial inclusion for all. Join us and be part of a vibrant company that embraces diverse perspectives, and is committed to doing well by doing good.

What will you contribute?

The Presales and Project Management Principal

is responsible for ensuring that all projects within the portfolio are delivered on time, within the client's budget, and meet or exceed financial targets, including baseline margins. This role defines project objectives and oversees quality assurance throughout the project lifecycle. A key aspect of the role is to consistently foster strong client relationships and uphold Finastra’s reputation for excellence. Additionally, the Principal ensures that all presales proposals are submitted punctually and are aligned with budget expectations in coordination with Sales and the Client.

Principal Project Manager

is responsible for managing all aspects of large to moderately complex projects for a defined segment of strategic initiatives from project definition and intake to transition to full operational support.

Key Responsibilities

Your deliverables as a Principal Project Manager will include, but are not limited to, the following

• Leads and drives the development of the project intake process including developing scope, schedule and cost
• Defines the goals and objectives of specific project and defines individual team member’s roles and responsibilities for the duration of the project
• Manages multiple mid to large scale projects ensuring that they will complete on time and within budget and that the solution aligns with/meets the business objective
• Manages the daily/weekly project team assignments and monitors progress against the work plan to assure that objectives are met within the prescribed time, cost, and quality measures
• Identification and impact analysis of potential project changes and facilitation of change control board to approve or disapprove said changes.
• Meets financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing a project budget; scheduling expenditures analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions
• Continual identification, qualification and tracking of risks, defining mitigation and contingency plans, assigning appropriate resources, and constantly communicating status
• Responsible for identification of resource requirements and proper communication of those requirements in a timely manner to ensure the project is properly staffed with the skilled resources required
• Responsible for identifying internal and external stakeholders, understanding their communication requirements and fulfilling those requirements

Requirements and Qualifications

• 15+ years of end-to-end Project Management experience
• Fluent in Arabic; native-level proficiency is highly preferred
• Experience must be with customer-facing projects and not internal to the organization
• Experience assisting project management teams with identification of action items, tasks and activities and tracking progress
• Experience at defining, implementing and continually improving standards, processes and procedures utilizing industry best practice (PMI, CMMI, etc.)
• Experience developing project budgets based on the development of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Benefits

We are proud to offer a range of incentives to our employees worldwide. These benefits are available to everyone, regardless of grade, and reflect the values we uphold:

• Flexibility: Enjoy unlimited vacation, based on your location and business priorities. Hybrid working arrangements, inclusive policies such as paid time off for voting, bereavement, and sick leave.
• Well-being: Access confidential one-on-one therapy through our Employee Assistance Program, unlimited personalized coaching via our coaching app, and access to our Gather Groups for emotional and mental support.
• Medical, life & disability insurance, retirement plan, lifestyle and other benefits*
• ESG: Benefit from paid time off for volunteering and donation matching.
• DEI: Participate in multiple DE&I groups for open involvement (e.g., Count Me In, Culture@Finastra, Proud@Finastra, Disabilities@Finastra, Women@Finastra).
• Career Development: Access online learning and accredited courses through our Skills & Career Navigator tool.
• Recognition: Be part of our global recognition program, Finastra Celebrates, and contribute to regular employee surveys to help shape Finastra and foster a culture where everyone is engaged and empowered to perform at their best.

*Specific benefits may vary by location.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Finastra, each individual is unique, bringing their own ideas, thoughts, cultural beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences together. We learn from one another, embrace and celebrate our differences, and create an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

Be unique, be exceptional

Be unique, be exceptional, and help us make a difference at Finastra!