Senior Project Manager - IT Infrastructure Upgrade

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 5,400,000 - 6,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with performanceBon

Comprehensive health, dental, and vis­

Retirement savings plan

Generous annual leave

Learning and development opportunities

Access to state‑of‑the‑art technology

Collaborative work culture

Career advancement potential

Job summary

Placements24 is sourcing a Senior Project Manager for a major financial services institution in Pretoria, Gauteng. The role leads a critical IT infrastructure upgrade, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and external vendors to deliver on time and within budget.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in IT project management, strong networking and cybersecurity knowledge, and hands-on experience with Agile and Waterfall. Hybrid work is offered with on-site leadership in Pretoria.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT, CS, Engineering or related field.
• PMP or ITIL certification is a strong asset.
• 7+ years in IT project management with 4+ years in infrastructure upgrades.
• Experience managing projects with significant budget responsibilities (e.g., R6 million+).
• Strong networking, servers, storage, cloud and cybersecurity knowledge; experienced with Agile and Waterfall.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage detailed project plans for IT infrastructure upgrades.
• Lead cross-functional IT teams including network engineers and cybersecurity specialists.
• Oversee procurement, installation, and configuration of hardware and software.
• Manage risks, issues, and changes throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure security and compliance of upgraded infrastructure to industry standards.
• Facilitate status meetings and provide reports to senior management.
• Collaborate with business units to meet infrastructure needs.
• Manage relationships with vendors and service providers.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews and handover to operations.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Leadership

Risk Management

IT Infrastructure

Hybrid Work

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Jira

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major financial services institution located in **Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA**, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Project Manager to lead a critical IT infrastructure upgrade project. This initiative is vital for ensuring the security, performance, and scalability of our client's technology backbone, supporting its ongoing business operations and future growth. The role demands a seasoned professional with extensive experience in managing complex IT infrastructure deployments, including hardware, software, and network components. You will be responsible for the planning, execution, and successful delivery of this high-impact project, ensuring minimal disruption to services. This position offers a blend of on-site strategic planning and execution with the flexibility of a hybrid work model. We are looking for a proactive leader with a strong technical foundation and exceptional communication skills to manage diverse teams and stakeholder groups effectively. The successful candidate will play a key role in modernizing our client's technological capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage detailed project plans for the IT infrastructure upgrade, encompassing scope, timelines, resources, and budget.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional IT teams, including network engineers, system administrators, and cybersecurity specialists.
• Oversee the procurement, installation, and configuration of new hardware and software.
• Manage risks, issues, and changes effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure the security and compliance of the upgraded infrastructure according to industry standards.
• Facilitate regular project status meetings and provide comprehensive reports to senior management.
• Collaborate with business units to understand their requirements and ensure the infrastructure meets their needs.
• Manage relationships with external vendors and service providers.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews and ensure successful handover to operational teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• PMP or ITIL certification is a strong asset.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in IT project management, with at least 4 years specifically managing infrastructure upgrades.
• Proven experience in managing projects with significant budget responsibilities (e.g., R6 million+).
• Strong technical understanding of networking, servers, storage, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity.
• Demonstrated experience with Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site and remote work.
• Experience within the **Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA** financial services sector is preferred.
• Proficiency in project management software such as Microsoft Project or Jira.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Generous annual leave and paid holidays.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• Access to state-of-the-art technology resources.
• Supportive and collaborative work culture.
• Potential for career advancement within the organization.