Senior Business Project Manager - Financial Services

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, invites applications for a Senior Business Project Manager to lead major transformation programs in financial services. You will translate business objectives into executable plans, drive delivery, and ensure regulatory compliance while collaborating with IT, operations and marketing teams.

The role demands strong business acumen, stakeholder management and experience with Agile/Waterfall/Hybrid approaches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years in project management, with substantial financial services experience.
• Proven track record managing complex business transformations.
• Knowledge of FAIS, FICA regulations.
• Experience with Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with MS Project and Jira.
• Relevant certifications (PMP, PRINCE2, CBAP) are advantageous.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution and successful completion of key business projects in financial services.
• Define scope, objectives, and success criteria with senior management and stakeholders.
• Develop detailed project plans with resources, timelines and budgets.
• Manage risks, issues and dependencies with mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration among IT, operations, compliance and marketing.
• Ensure projects deliver tangible business value and meet strategic objectives.
• Oversee change management for adoption of new processes and systems.
• Track progress, prepare status reports and present to executives.
• Mentor junior project managers and team members.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal policies.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's degree in Finance

Bachelor's degree in Economics

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished financial services institution, is seeking a Senior Business Project Manager to lead significant business transformation projects. This role requires a strategic and analytical individual capable of driving complex initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, customer experience, and regulatory compliance within the financial sector. You will be instrumental in translating business objectives into executable project plans and ensuring successful implementation across various departments. The ideal candidate possesses strong business acumen, excellent stakeholder management skills, and a deep understanding of financial services operations. This is a pivotal role based in the vibrant academic and business hub of Stellenbosch, Western Cape .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and successful completion of key business projects within the financial services domain.
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with senior management and business stakeholders.
• Develop detailed project plans, including resource allocation, timelines, and budgets.
• Manage project risks, issues, and dependencies, implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams, including IT, operations, compliance, and marketing.
• Ensure projects deliver tangible business value and meet strategic objectives.
• Oversee the change management process to ensure smooth adoption of new processes and systems.
• Track project progress, prepare comprehensive status reports, and present findings to executive committees.
• Mentor junior project managers and team members, fostering a high-performance culture.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and internal policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, with a significant portion within the financial services industry.
• Proven track record of managing complex business transformation and change initiatives.
• Strong understanding of financial products, services, and regulatory frameworks (e.g., FAIS, FICA).
• Experience with methodologies like Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid is essential.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira).
• Relevant certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, or CBAP are highly advantageous.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, a performance-based incentive program, comprehensive medical aid, and a generous retirement fund. We invest in our employees' professional development with access to industry-leading training and certifications. A hybrid work model allows for flexibility and better work-life integration. Join a dynamic and reputable institution in Stellenbosch, Western Cape , and play a key role in shaping the future of financial services.