Senior Project Manager

Bahrain

Ref: HP647-1253

Job description / Role

Employment: Full Time

Our client, a leading Financial Services company is seeking for a Senior Project Manager to be based in Bahrain. You will be directly reporting to the Head of Project Management Office

Position Summary

This position is accountable and responsible for all aspects of project management for multiple and concurrent projects within the Company in the ME, up to an investment of $500,000. This includes the planning, scoping, execution and monitoring/controlling of 8 out of 9 knowledge areas of project management: scope, cost, schedule, quality, change, resource, Risks & Issues and procurement and following the Company’s project management methodology.

The individual will be the subject matter expert in business analysis activities and techniques to assist the business to define the business requirements as a result of an identified business need. This also includes scoping the testing and supporting the project team through the testing phases.

This role is responsible for creating and maintaining a cost-effective centre of excellence for business analysis.

This role includes being the custodian of business processes and the responsibility to recommend business process changes that leverage Company’s strength and improves its weaknesses and ultimately result in a positive impact for Company’s customer base as well as cost savings.

This role is responsible for the end the end management of the Change Advisory Board (CAB) including continuous review and improvement of the underlying CAB processes, its tools and the yearly budget.

This role has one direct report.

Principal Accountabilities

Business Analysis

In close coordination with the Company’s business units, develops, reviews and edits business requirement specifications (BRS) and business processes surrounding the change and obtains sign off on the BRS to define the scope of the project
Develops functional specifications

Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for change

Coordinates and owns UAT project phases, including the development of test plans and test scenarios, training of end-users in the UAT procedures, and maintenance of test documentation.

Works with the project manager, the technical delivery manager and the Project Owner to ensure that roll-out activities, including but not limited to implementation, training procedures and desk instructions are planned and carried out.

Develops process maps and desk instructions and obtains the appropriate approvals from the key stakeholders.

Improves upon existing approaches and processes by seeking opportunities to creatively transform current practices into fresh alternative solutions.

Develop best practices and tools for Business Analysis, project execution and management

Change Advisory Board

Review requests for changes (RfC) that are not projects and assess the business justification before recommending prioritization

Manage a yearly budget for these changes

Continuously look for and implement ways to improve the change management process for RfCs

Project Management

Creates and executes multiple project schedules and revises as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements

Define project scope, goals and deliverables that support business goals in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders

Manages day-to-day operational aspects of a project and its scope

Effectively applies Company’s methodology and enforces project standards

Minimizes Company’s exposure and risk on project

Ensures project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately

Identify and manage project dependencies and critical paths

Develop and deliver progress reports, proposals, and presentations.

Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential crises, and devise contingency plans

Define project success criteria and disseminate them to involved parties throughout project life cycle

Coach, mentor, motivate and supervise project team members and contractors, and influence them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned work

Build, develop, and grow any business relationships vital to the success of projects

Conduct project close out and create recommendations in order to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements

Manage resources in accordance with project schedule

Draft and submit budget proposals, and recommend subsequent budget changes where necessary

Manage project budgets

Proactively initiates, develops, and maintains positive and effective working relationships with team members.

Recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of each team member.

Demonstrates the ability to cooperate with a variety of people and achieve results.

Understands expectations that were set with the key stakeholders and recognizes when issues/events may affect delivery.

Requirements

Unique Knowledge & Skills

At least 12 years hands on project management and business analysis experience, out of which 5 are preferable to have been in the Card Issuing and Merchant Acquiring arena of the Financial Services industry.

Master’s degree is a Must with majors in either of or a combination of the following fields: Business Administration, information technology, accounting, marketing, economics, computer and information science

Knowledge of business analysis methodologies and the project management lifecycle

Experience of producing test plans and managing the test plan

Team leadership and management skills, including the professional development of their staff

Ability to train, lead, coach, and mentor younger analysts or project managers

Excellent listening and good interviewing skills

Ability to o work with minimum direct supervision or guidance from others. Demonstrated ability to effectively and creatively resolve issues.

Demonstrated ability to work under deadlines and pressure

Motivational skills

Networking and team building skills

Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills – speaking Arabic would be a benefit

Candidates should also be highly analytical, creative thinkers and avid problem-solvers

Proven strong stakeholder management and IT relationship skills

Professional certification in the relevant domains will be an advantage

Intermediate knowledge of Business Process Modeler

About the Company

We lead in the creation and delivery of innovative workforce solutions and services that enable our clients to win in the changing world of work.

ManpowerGroup powers the success of many of the world's most dynamic organizations. We deliver innovative workforce solutions that enhance competitiveness, increase efficiency and spur productivity. Combining global reach with local expertise - 3600 offices in over 80 countries - we know the changing world of work and bring a deep understanding of the companies we work for and the industries we service.

ManpowerGroup entered the Middle East in December 2007 after acquiring local company Clarendon Parker, thus bringing 15 years in-depth local knowledge combined with a global footprint and industry shaping expertise and thought leadership. Manpower Middle East supports clients in the Middle East and North Africa regions. Our business is aligned to key skill specializations to ensure our clients requirements are met by expert and knowledgeable consultants that understand your industry and role requirement.

Our consultants are experts in finding the right talent across all industries in a broad-range of occupations including: