Lead Project Manager - IT Infrastructure Rollout

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Project Manager to oversee large-scale IT infrastructure rollout projects from Stellenbosch, Western Cape. The role requires strategic leadership of a team of project managers and technical specialists to deliver secure, scalable IT infrastructure across the organization in a hybrid work setting.

You will guide projects from initiation to deployment and support, manage vendor contracts and ensure governance and compliance, while communicating progress

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years IT project management experience, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Experience with large-scale network deployments, server migrations, cloud technologies (AWS, Azure) and cybersecurity projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple complex IT infrastructure projects from initiation through deployment and support.
• Develop comprehensive project plans with defined scope, objectives, deliverables, budgets and timelines.
• Mentor a team of project managers and technical leads to ensure effective execution.
• Oversee vendor selection, contract negotiation and relationship management for IT infrastructure procurements.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and issues; ensure IT governance, security and compliance.
• Monitor progress with KPIs and budgets and provide regular status reports.
• Drive change management to ensure adoption of new infrastructure and technologies.
• Conduct post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Jira

ServiceNow

AWS

Azure

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic financial services institution, is seeking an experienced Lead Project Manager to oversee large-scale IT infrastructure rollout projects across their operations, with a key focus on their Stellenbosch, Western Cape branch. This role is essential for upgrading and expanding the company's technological backbone, ensuring robust performance, security, and scalability. You will lead a team of project managers and technical specialists, driving projects from initiation through to successful deployment and support. This is an opportunity to shape the future of our client's IT landscape. We are looking for a strategic leader with a proven ability to manage complex IT projects and deliver exceptional results in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will be instrumental in ensuring seamless technological integration and operational resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage multiple complex IT infrastructure projects, including network upgrades, data center migrations, and cloud implementations. Develop and execute comprehensive project plans, defining scope, objectives, deliverables, budgets, and timelines. Manage and mentor a team of project managers and technical leads, ensuring effective execution and performance. Oversee vendor selection, contract negotiation, and relationship management for IT infrastructure procurements. Identify, assess, and proactively manage project risks and issues, developing mitigation strategies. Ensure adherence to IT governance, security policies, and compliance requirements. Facilitate clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders, including executive leadership, IT teams, and business units. Monitor project progress, KPIs, and budget, providing regular status reports and performance analysis. Drive change management processes to ensure smooth adoption of new infrastructure and technologies. Conduct post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and identify areas for continuous improvement.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field. A minimum of 8 years of experience in IT project management, with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior role managing infrastructure rollouts. Proven experience with large-scale network deployments, server migrations, cloud technologies (AWS, Azure), and cybersecurity projects. Strong understanding of ITIL frameworks and best practices in IT service management. PMP, PRINCE2, or Agile certification is highly preferred. Exceptional leadership, team management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills. Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Project, Jira, ServiceNow). Experience working within the financial services industry is advantageous. Ability to manage complex dependencies and cross-functional team collaboration in a **hybrid** work setting. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a strategic mindset.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, attractive performance bonuses, comprehensive health insurance, and a generous retirement plan. Opportunities for professional development, certifications, and career advancement within a leading financial institution are abundant.

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, attractive performance bonuses, comprehensive health insurance, and a generous retirement plan.
• Opportunities for professional development, certifications, and career advancement within a leading financial institution are abundant.

This role is based at our modern facility in **Stellenbosch, Western Cape**, with a **hybrid** work arrangement that balances office-based collaboration with remote flexibility.

Join a forward-thinking organization that invests in its people and technology, contributing to critical IT infrastructure projects.