Data Center Operation Project Manager

Capcircle Management Consultants; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A consulting firm is seeking an experienced Data Center Operations Project Manager in South Africa to oversee critical ICT infrastructure projects. This role involves managing end-to-end project delivery, ensuring efficiency and security while reporting directly to the Core Facilities Operations Manager. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience in complex project management, including familiarity with data center facilities. PMP and PRINCE2 certifications are desirable.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years' experience with large complex projects.
• 5 years as Project Manager for major delivery projects.
• Specific experience with Data Center Facilities integration.

Responsibilities

• Oversee critical ICT infrastructure projects.
• Manage end-to-end project delivery.
• Establish project governance and reporting.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project Management

Risk Management

Budget Management

Procurement Management

Education

Core Degree from a recognized institution

PMP Certification

PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification

Master's Degree

Job description

The business requires an experienced and highly professional Data Center Operations Project Manager (DCOPM) to oversee critical ICT infrastructure projects. The appointed individual will manage end-to-end project delivery within the data center environment, ensuring efficiency, security, and alignment with business objectives. This role reports directly to the Core Facilities Operations Manager and will work closely with both internal teams and external vendors to drive successful project execution.

General Duties

• Procurement engagement re.
• Contractual agreements to be in place (Client / Vendor) and are inclusive of defined payment milestones
• Facilitate handover from MS Vendors Projects to M&E Engineers and Core Facilities Operations
• Project kick off session(s)
• Facilitate clear definition of each project success criteria to then be executed, managed and controlled
• Stakeholder identification and introduction
• Retain close working relationship with Mechanical & Electrical Engineers (M&E)s & Planning, and Operations, Procurement, Legal, Suppliers and other relevant Business Unit(s) to ensure project delivery within time, budget and quality
• Establishment of the Project RACI
• Establish Project Governance and Reporting (internal and external)
• Participate in Business Unit governance sessions representing Core Implementation Projects
• Micro‑management of project deliverables
• Manage assigned Vendors
• Budget management i.e. forecasting, actual spend vs budget
• Stakeholder management
• Risk and Issue Management
• Project Change Management (scope, cost, time and quality)
• Procurement Management i.e provide SOW, BOQ etc.
• Project administration i.e requisitions, invoice sign‑off and processing
• Daily, weekly and monthly Project Reporting
• Project Close Out (including PoC completion acceptance against the defined success criteria)

Responsibilities

• Identify and arrange the Project Teams and Members
• Define the Project and the Project Organisation (the structure of the Project, the arrangements for its Governance, and the Controls that will be used to manage it)
• Define or confirm, and gain agreement to the Scope of the Project
• Prepare and maintain the Project Plan
• Prepare and maintain the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (if the Project is part of a Programme, this might be developed and managed at programme level)
• Prepare the Communications Strategy and Plan (ditto)
• Assist the Project Sponsor to develop or confirm, and maintain the Project Business Case
• Manage the Project (using the Project Controls) and ensure governance operates as per the Project Organisation
• Direct the relevant internally assigned resources and equipment / service vendors as required
• Programme and Project Progress to The Company's Project Sponsor and Owners (with recommendations for Risk Management and Issue Resolution) and to the Service Manager where relevant
• Manage Risks for which he/she is identified as the Risk owner
• Resolve Issues for which he/she is identified as the Issue Owner
• Facilitate the Project Change Request process (identification, assessment, cost and recommendation)
• Approve (or Reject) Change Requests that are within his / her Delegation of Authority
• Provide recommendations to the Project Owner as to Site Readiness and work with the Project Owner to develop and implement transition plans for the adoption of project deliverables by the business
• Ensure that Project Reviews are carried out after each Project completions and that lessons learned are fed back into the Programme (where relevant) and disseminated to those in The Company who need to know
• Manage and coordinate all meetings both internally and externally
• Manage and control project timelines including revenue forecasting with the relevant Account Manager(s) where applicable

Experience

The DC Operations Project Manager will have had at least 10 years' experience in managing multiple large complex projects or programmes, including at least 5 years as the Project Manager for major, complex, cross cutting, delivery projects. The DC Operations Project Manager should have a Core Degree in an appropriate discipline from a recognised institution and be a member of an appropriate professional institution. PMP Certification and PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification is highly desirable. A Master's Degree is advantageous. The DC Operations Project Manager will need to be very familiar and have specific experience with end-to-end management of the following infrastructure projects and programmes: Understanding of Data Center Facilities at a high level would be an advantage. Understanding on high level the process of integration of new nodes eg obtaining floor space, power, HW installation, SW installation, integration to peripheral systems, configuration, implementation, testing, PPM, Corrective Maintenance, etc.

The DC Operations Project Manager will have demonstrable experience in most of the following areas: Engagement at executive management level in large enterprises; Presenting Programme and Project progress reports to executive management level; Capturing and understanding stakeholder needs, desires, and expectations and analysing the impact of the project on stakeholders, gaining, and maintaining stakeholder support, managing stakeholder communications and mitigating stakeholder resistance; Establishing processes and procedures for maintaining programme / project management oversight and decision-making support throughout the course of the project / s; Establishing project control processes and practices and implementing appropriate tools for efficient project management; Working closely with other Project Managers, Customer Project Managers, Service Managers and other key stakeholders in identifying and managing dependencies; Regularly tracking and reporting on health of all Projects to relevant stakeholders; Setup and coordination of Virtual Project Teams and virtual meetings; Identifying, managing and reporting Project level risks and issues; Managing suppliers and contractors who are responsible for elements of the project / s; Ensuring adherence to the defined project delivery processes for the organisation; Planning, organising and facilitating senior manager level workshops for scoping and planning, and to solve complex problems (using problem solving techniques like brainstorming, mind-mapping etc.); Deployment of best project management practices and suggesting improvements in the organisation's defined project management approach; Establishing and maintaining processes to assure the quality of the project deliverables; Facilitate seamless transfer of Projects to Support and Service Management; Sunset Programme by supporting Assurance processes for a period of at least 1 month; Support ongoing ICT enabled business transformation; Experience in implementing Change Management; Understanding of Health and Safety Act including working with SHE specialist; Experience in handling complex projects and customer facing; Demonstrate a great skill in stakeholder management and relationship building.

Contract - Duration and Rate will be discussed in interview.