Project Manager (Business integration & Transition) - (CONTRACT)

Project Management Connection; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Project Management Connection in Sandton, South Africa seeks an experienced individual to lead a complex, high-impact business transition programme. The role involves managing the full transition process, ensuring stakeholder alignment and minimizing disruption during the shift to a new operational model.

The ideal candidate will have 8-12+ years of experience in project management, strong skills in managing complexity, and a proven track record in large-scale transformations. The position is a fixed-term contract for 6–12 months.

Qualifications

• 8-12+ years' experience in project or programme management.
• Experience in complex business transformation and transitions.
• Proven track record in large-scale transformation projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of the transition programme.
• Coordinate delivery across multiple workstreams.
• Engage key stakeholders and maintain strong governance.

Skills

Programme/project management capability

Stakeholder management

Managing complexity

Understanding of organisational change

Education

Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2 or similar)

Job description

Role Purpose

To lead the delivery of a complex, high-impact large-scale business transition programme involving multiple interdependent workstreams, senior stakeholders, regulatory and governance considerations, and material operational and people impacts.

The role is accountable for coordinating the end-to-end execution of the transition, ensuring business continuity, risk-managed delivery, stakeholder alignment, and a smooth shift towards the agreed future-state operating model within defined timelines.

Duration

• Fixed-term contract: 6--12 months

Key Accountabilities

1. End-to-End Programme Delivery
   • Lead the planning and execution of the full transition programme
   • Establish and manage project plans, timelines, risks, dependencies, and reporting
   • Coordinate delivery across multiple workstreams, including People, Legal, Technology, Operations and Finance
   • Ensure disciplined execution in line with governance standards
2. Transition Management
   • Coordinate workforce, governance and operational transition activities across the programme lifecycle
   • Work closely with Legal and Human Capital to support:
     • Compliance with applicable regulatory, governance and labour requirements
     • Accurate people-related planning, readiness and implementation activities
   • Manage risks related to employee relations, compliance, communication and transition readiness
3. Operating Model Alignment
   • Coordinate alignment of teams, processes, systems and capabilities to the agreed future-state operating model
   • Support the transition of operational activities, client touchpoints, processes and business capabilities
   • Protect continuity of business operations and customer experience throughout the transition
4. People & Change Coordination
   • Partner with HC and Change teams to:ul>
   • Manage workforce impacts, role alignment, transition readiness and change adoption
   • Coordinate change readiness and communication plans
5. Support leaders through the transition process to ensure alignment and stability
6. Stakeholder & Governance Management
   • Engage key stakeholders across Exco, leadership teams, and project sponsors
   • Provide regular updates on progress, risks, and decisions required
   • Maintain strong governance, documentation, and audit trails
7. Risk, Issue & Dependency Management
   • Identify, track, and proactively manage programme risks and issues
   • Ensure dependencies across workstreams are managed effectively
   • Escalate critical risks early with recommended mitigation actions

Key Deliverables

• Effective delivery of the agreed transition plan within defined timelines and governance requirements
• Smooth shift to the agreed future-state operating model
• Minimal disruption to employees, customers, operations and key stakeholder groups
• All governance, compliance, and reporting requirements met

Experience & Capability Requirements

Experience

• 8-12+ years' experience in project or programme management
• Experience in complex business transformation, operating model change, organisational transition or integration-type programmes
• Proven track record in:
  • Large-scale transformation, transition or operating model change programmes
  • Complex organisational change involving people, process, technology and governance impacts
  • Complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Experience working with senior leadership and executives

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong programme/project management capability (end-to-end delivery)
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities
• Good understanding of organisational change, workforce impacts and transition readiness
• Structured, detail-oriented, and outcomes-driven

Advantageous

• Exposure to legal/HC transitions
• Financial services or insurance experience
• Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2 or similar)

Reporting Line

• Executive Programme Sponsor
• Close partnership with:
  • Legal & Governance
  • HC / People & Change
  • Business unit leadership

Success Profile (What "good" looks like)

• Calm, structured operator in high-pressure environments
• Buids trust quickly across stakeholders
• Balances pace with governance and risk
• Pragmatic and solutions-oriented
• Strong personal credibility with executives