Head of Applications Delivery

Key purpose:

The responsibility of the Head of Projects is to manage the complete portfolio of IT Applications and Development Projects. This includes management of resources including business analysts, developers, project managers and Applications support staff to ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within budget and with the appropriate benefits to the business. In addition to management of the programme, the job will also entail hands-on project management of certain complex projects that are key to the business.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Managing the overall IT programme of projects including planning and organisation, management of quality, risk management, benefits management
• Manage complex projects where required
• Chair the project steering committee
• Line Manage staff including developers, business analysts, project managers and applications support staff
• Document and manage project scope and schedule
• Facilitate workshops with business users in order to gather requirements, generate ideas and validate designs
• Identify and manage project dependencies
• Identify and communicate project risks
• Identify and suggest appropriate solutions to solve business challenges
• Liaise with senior business stakeholders to enable appropriate solution delivery
• Manage external vendors in the delivery of project related deliverables
• Liaise with new external customers and partners in the integration of appropriate systems to facilitate automation of business processes
• Manage external vendors delivery and monthly billing
• Budget and track spend
• Maintain professional conduct
• Assist in relevant operations/operational functions as required
• Ensure dress code is in accordance with company Standard Operating Procedures
• Maintain housekeeping standards on a daily basis
• Ensure standards of Health and Safety are maintained

Duties and responsibilities:

• At least a 3 year related degree (B.Comp.Sci, B.Eng) or diploma or relevant NQF Level 6 qualification
• Supply chain and/or logistics experience an advantage
• At least 5 years experience in managing complex projects across large organisations
• Understanding of IT infrastructure architecture will be an advantage
• Good computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Project)
• Experience in facilitating workshops with business users in order to gather requirements, generate ideas and validate designs
• Extensive commercial awareness
• Related project management qualification would be advantageous
• Proficiency in MS Project
• Knowledge of and exposure to Business Process Reengineering
• Sound knowledge of organisational transformation and change management processes (strategies and plans for communications, stakeholder management, training, etc.)
• No criminal record

Qualifications and experience:

• Service delivery orientated (possess sense of urgency)
• Ability to find structure in an unstructured environment (ability to adapt work methods to situation at hand, while maintaining basic principles and standards)
• Able to compile a project plan (including costs, deadlines and resources) to optimise production
• Able to do technical maintenance on a project
• Able to manage a project team towards the attainment of set project objectives

Personal attributes:

• Professional approach and conduct
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Strong personal characteristics, energy, drive, focus, motivation, taking responsibility
• Strong aptitude for teamwork (contributes to the teams success)
• Self-motivated with ability to work without supervision
• Strong organisational/planning skills
• Outcomes driven
• Confidence/assertiveness

Knowledge:

• Solid knowledge of a project management methodology (PMBOK or Prince 2)
• Solid Knowledge of the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)