Project Manager

Rhodes University; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in South Africa is seeking a Project Manager to oversee multiple large-scale projects. The role involves setting up project governance, developing project plans, and managing delivery with a focus on digital initiatives. Ideal candidates should have 8-10 years of experience in project management, relevant degree, and certifications such as PMI or PRINCE2. This role offers a dynamic environment with opportunities to work on strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience in Project Management, focused on Digital projects.
• Relevant Project Management certifications like PMI, PRINCE2, or CSM.
• Strong experience in delivering complex strategic projects.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the delivery framework for project activities.
• Develop and maintain a consolidated project plan with clear milestones.
• Provide regular communication and updates to senior leadership on progress.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Management

Agile Project Methodologies

Risk Management

Change Management

Education

Relevant Tertiary Degree in Finance, IT, or Computer Science

Job description

Overview

The Project Manager will be accountable for one or more large-sized projects of moderate to high complexity with a medium- to large-sized team. Focuses on the creation of the project vision and planning documents and manages the implementation, reporting, and performance of the overall project with the expectation of delivering on time, within budget, and to scope.

Role of the Project Manager

• The Project Manager will establish and maintain the delivery framework required to coordinate all activities across the initiative. Their responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
• Setting up the overall project structure, including governance forums, roles and responsibilities.
• Coordinating and facilitating workshops with stakeholders, delivery teams, and external vendors.
• Developing and maintaining a consolidated project plan with clear milestones for each workstream.
• Tracking progress across all teams and providing consolidated reporting to stakeholders.
• Managing dependencies, risks, and issues across business and technical teams.
• Overseeing contracting and engagement with external service providers or vendors as required.
• Ensuring alignment across business, technology, compliance, and operations stakeholders.
• Providing regular communication and updates to senior leadership on progress and blockers.

Key Deliverables from the Project Manager

• Comprehensive project plan with milestones, timelines, and interdependencies.
• Workshop schedules, agendas, and documented outputs (decisions, action items, etc.).
• Consolidated status reports (weekly and monthly) with RAG status indicators.
• Risk, Issue, and Dependency logs with clear owners and mitigation plans.
• Contracting delivery timelines with dependent teams.
• Consolidated view of delivery timelines across business and technology teams.
• Change management plan to support adoption and communication of new capabilities

Project Setup Requirements

• Establish project governance forums (steering committee, working groups, etc.).
• Set up collaboration tools and reporting templates (project plan, RAID log, dashboards).
• Baseline scope, timelines, and success metrics for delivery.
• Agree on stakeholder engagement and communication plan.
• Identify and secure resources (people, systems, budget).
• Ensure alignment with compliance, risk, and operational readiness requirements.

Professional Knowledge

• Industry knowledge required – Relevant Insurance knowledge (Policies, Procedures and system Knowledge)
• Product knowledge required– Savings and Income, Investments, Digital Products
• Agile Project Methodologies

Essential Qualifications

• Minimum: Relevant Tertiary Degree in (Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science)
• Essential Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMI- PMI / PgMP / ACP / CAPM) / PRINCE 2 Agile Practitioner, SAFe Lean Portfolio Management,
• Preferred Qualifications: Certified Scrum Master (CSM), / CXO

Non-negotiable Experience

• Delivering multiple complex, strategic Digital projects 8-10 years’ experience in Project Management in a Digital environment, with a strong track record of leading and completing projects
• Ability to work in complex, dynamic, and evolving environments.

Preferred Experience

• Rewards Programmes and Data Analytics initiatives
• Behavioural Competencies Decision Making
• Stakeholder Management
• Facilitating Change
• Influencing
• Building Partnerships
• Customer Orientation
• Cultivates Innovation
• Results Driven with collaborative approach
• Ensures Accountability
• Manages Conflict and Obstacles effectively
• Independence self-starter
• Situation adaptability & managing ambiguity