The Project Manager will work within IT on multiple initiatives, reporting to the first direct Major Programmes Delivery Lead.
They need to have a minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in a project management role, having worked in the UK for a considerable amount of time in a similar cultural environment as first direct. This is a hybrid remote role. 

Responsibilities:

  • Will engage key stakeholders to agree the project objectives and benefits for the work programme.
  • Responsible for the major project deliverables, maintaining the overall project plans across multiple areas to ensure effective delivery within budget and to the agreed timescales, quality and benefits realisation requirements.
  • Lead and matrix manage assigned technical and 3rd party teams.
  • Promote and embed project management methodologies and governance frameworks in line with FD Project Management Standards. 
  • Provide guidance and steerage on technical feasibility/options/solutions to deliver agreed requirements. This will include identifying emerging digital technologies that are applicable.
  • Proactively identifies threats to project delivery and programme wide risks, escalating to Delivery Leads and Key stakeholders whilst instigating recovery action to assure project delivery.
  • Provide co-ordinated management ensuring that the balance between delivery time, delivery cost, quality assurance and benefit yield are optimised.

Essential Skills

  • Comprehensive experience in all phases of the delivery life cycle from feasibility studies, to requirements management, development and testing.
  • Experience of both Agile and Waterfall delivery methods
  • Experience of working within the Financial Services sector
  • Experience of managing multiple complex business and IT Projects
  • Comfortable liaising with senior client personnel to establish and clarify requirements
  • Able to interpret business requirements and align this to the best use of the chosen technology solution
  • Excellent communication skills – interviewing, preparation and delivery of presentations and reports
  • Ability to proactively manage stakeholders constructively, challenge their suggestions and requirements in order to deliver pragmatic solutions
  • Comfortable in working in a diverse and multicultural environment
  • Comfortable in working with geographically dispersed teams on multiple continents
  • Strong business understanding for UK Retail Banking focussing on current capabilities in place
  • Technical appreciation of IT estates and the ability to learn quickly from SME’s across the bank.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to enable effective working with a range of stakeholders and points of view
  • Ability to break down problems and creatively identify alternative approaches
  • Experience of managing IT projects up to ~£5m
  • Experience of working with mobile/digital technology is an advantage but not required
  • Experience of day to day management of technical delivery teams
  • Successful delivery of projects to time, cost and quality
  • Ability to proactively manage stakeholders constructively, challenge their suggestions and requirements in order to deliver pragmatic solutions

Desirable Skills

  • A strong academic track record including the achievement of a good honours degree or equivalent
  • Experience of working within the consulting industry
  • Eager to learn and maintain his professional set of certifications.

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