Programme Manager at Sanlam Group

What will make you successful in this role?

•  Work closely with the relevant Business Owner to understand their vision and target project roadmap
•  Unpack the detail behind high-level prioritised projects and define an implementable project roadmap (“the program”) which is then actively driven out by the PMO team
•  Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Business and System Owner/s
•  Liaise with capability leads to secure the required resource allocation for effective project delivery in advance
•  Oversee delivery of the projects being run by other project managers
•  Consolidate and review the weekly project status reporting, ensuring consistency and overall quality
•  Identify and manage program interdependencies
•  Prepare adequately and present knowledgeably at the weekly status meetings
•  Play the role of project manager on individual projects as required and as appropriate
•  Responsible for being the single point of contact for specific third party areas (eg Sanlam Group PMO, vendors)
•  Cultivate and manage objective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including end-users, SME’s, project managers and senior staff members
•  Conduct scope and change request management with dependency identification and management.
•  Ensure 100% adherence to audit and governance requirements
•  Track and manage projects against budget
•  Plan and manage performance, skills development, employment equity, talent and culture of team in order to improve innovation, achieve efficiencies and increase competencies
•  Understanding of how to work with AGILE software delivery teams

What will make you successful in this role?

•  Behave ethically: Understand ethical behaviour and business practices, and ensure that own behaviour and the behaviour of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization
•  Build relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
•  Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.
•  Focus on client needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
•  Fostering teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
•  Organising and planning: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities.
•  Problem solving: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Qualification and experience

•  Relevant Degree or Diploma and/or required Certification 
•  5+ years related programme management experience at senior level
•  Investment or asset management industry knowledge.
•  Experience in AGILE methodologies will be advantageous

Personal qualities

•  Critical and strategic thinker
•  Creative and innovative 
•  Analytical and detail-oriented
•  Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a cross-functional team 
•  Adaptable, functions well in a changing environment
•  Sound budget management and project management skills

Knowledge and skills

•  Proven experience as programme manager at senior management level.
•  Strong project management and planning skills.
•  Ability to integrate various areas such as Business Architecture, processes, digital etc. into a cohesive operational process and plan that will enhance the client experience.
•  Knowledge of project budget and resource allocation