Senior Project Manager - IT Infrastructure Upgrade

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous leave & holidays

Learning & development opportunities

Access to latest technology resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead a critical IT infrastructure upgrade in Pretoria, Gauteng. The role requires a strong technical foundation and proven leadership to manage planning, procurement, integration, and delivery while minimizing service disruption.

You will balance on-site strategy with a hybrid work model, ensure security and compliance, and report to senior management. PMP/ITIL is advantageous; 7+ years in IT project management is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT, CS, or engineering.
• PMP or ITIL certification is a strong asset.
• 7+ years IT project management, with at least 4 years managing infrastructure upgrades.
• Proven experience with budgets (e.g., R6 million+).
• Strong networking, servers, storage, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity knowledge.
• Experience with Agile and Waterfall methodologies.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment (on-site + remote).
• Experience in Pretoria, Gauteng, ZA financial services sector preferred.
• Proficiency with project management tools like Microsoft Project or Jira.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Stakeholder management

Hybrid work experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

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.