Project Manager

Project Manager – Manchester hybrid (tram access and on-site parking) The purpose of this project manager role is to support and underpin programmes and workstreams in group enablement that are both internal to the group and integrate with the wider group, likely to involve the delivery of new technical tools, systems and automation to improve operations or the customer experience. Your first project is to support the delivery of new Cloud based platforms (Azure, AWS or Oracle) upon which customer facing applications will be deployed. • This role involves leading key initiatives, ensuring they are executed efficiently and effectively. The project manager coordinates resources, manages timelines and costs, and mitigates risks to deliver successful outcomes. By fostering collaboration and maintaining clear communication, they ensure that all stakeholders are aligned and that the projects contribution to the overall strategic objectives of the business. Key responsibilities: • Requirements and Scoping: Support the group enablement teams in confirming the project requirements through discovery, bottom out assumptions leading to baselined requirements that can be used in the development of the Statement of Works (SoW). • Project Planning and Execution: Develop detailed project plans and schedules with agreed defined milestones based on the scoped requirements. Ensure projects are completed on time and within budget to realise the required business outcomes. • Monitor and Manage: Progress against each project schedule, identifying and managing any from agreed baselines. • Report: Provide regular reports on progress to key stakeholders including the group programme lead. • Risk Management: Identify potential risks, develop mitigation strategies, then monitor and manage risk. • Dependency Management: Identify key dependencies, their dates, their owners, the plan to deliver and then monitor and manage to completion. • Communication: Develop and maintains effective working relationships with team members, suppliers and stakeholders. • Documentation: Manage the development and update of all standard project documentation: such as RAID logs, project schedules, resource plans, communication plans, etc. • Time, Cost and Quality Management: Balanced time, cost and quality through reviews with the key stakeholders during delivery and project completion. • Continuous Improvement: Encourage team continuous improvement through regular lessons learned sessions. Key skills: Skill Detail Problem solving • The ability to break down complex problems, identify root causes, and develop strategic solutions. Finding creative solutions and alternatives when faced with limited resources or constraints. • Strong sense of ownership and flexible / dynamic approach to problem-solving whilst encouraging subject matter experts for full delivery ownership. • A keen eye for detail and managing risks effectively through the project delivery. • You are experienced in respectfully challenging the status quo wherever it is impacting performance. You can work with and influence teams in all areas of business to create positive, collaborative changes. Decision making • Able to work and make decisions independently or collaboratively depending upon the challenge posed. • Articulate clearly the rational for both independent and suggested decisions with alignment to the project scope and overall workstream objectives. Innovation • Ability to challenge processes and ways of working with a view to driving improvements and operational efficiencies. • Ability and motivation to learn from experience and constantly update skills/knowledge. • Eager and capable of learning new skills Communication • Leadership skills: able to quickly establish excellent working relationships with stakeholders, influence teams through a strong servant leadership style. • Coaching skills: you will be adept at observing behaviours and interactions, and in helping people navigate their way to their own solutions. • Listening skills: you ask deep questions and listen; you have high emotional intelligence and great interpersonal skills. • Diplomatic skills: effective conflict resolution skills, within the team and across the wider organisation. • Communication skills: you will be an excellent facilitator, and able to communicate well at all levels of the organisation, adapting to the context and the audience Interpersonal • A friendly, enthusiastic individual with team-building experience, and a deep understanding of how people work together across all levels of the business. • Flexible with an accommodating approach. • Excellent written & verbal communications skills. • A keen eye for detail and exemplary time keeping. • Ability to gain a deep understanding of how to support and develop successful cross-functional teams. You have demonstrable experience of helping teams maintain a delivery focus, as well as supporting their continuous improvement, through reflection, feedback loops, motivation. • You will be passionate about developing and motivating successful teams and in creating an environment which is open, trusted, and respectful. Financial • Support effective budget forecast estimation, submission for sanction, and then manage approved budget within the scope of the project. Monitor expenditure against forecast. Key relationships: • Programme Team Project Managers and Business Analyst. • Group Enablement Leaders, Managers and Engineers. • Internal Leaders, Managers and Engineers. • External Suppliers. Experience and skills: • Leadership and Team Management: - Demonstrable experience in leading teams and managing complex projects from initiation to closure. - Ability to motivate and guide team members towards achieving project goals. • Relationship Building & Communication skills: - Experience in building and maintaining relationships at all levels within the organization. - Effective communication with stakeholders across various business functions, from directors to team level. • Certifications: - Relevant certifications such as Prince2, APM, AgilePM, or equivalent. - Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry best practices. • Project Management: - Proven record in successfully managing projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and strategies – Essential Experience of managing internal processes and projects