Job Title:         Program Manager (4 Positions) - Nigeria

Industry:         Banking 

Location:         Nigeria

Salary:             Competitive Salary Package + Benefits

Job Objective(s)

• To manage major strategic programs and initiatives of the bank, consisting of multiple projects or large work streams, which are interlinked and related to the same ultimate project objective.
• Serve as the Leader of one or more capability areas and Team(s) within the Corporate Transformation department. Capabilities are aligned with the Bank's key transformation pillars which include Customer & Innovation, Operations Improvement, Organization and People and Process and Enterprise IT
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert for assigned capabilities – advising the Business on business, functional and operational strategies to achieve business objectives and align with industry leading practice within these domains.
• Drive, monitor and track the program/project(s) lifecycle from initiation, planning, completion to implementation and ensure all projects are delivered on schedule and within budget, while meeting all quality expectations.
• Assess the Project sponsor’s needs, identify Bank’s internal customer requirements, and develop cohesive project approaches and plans
• Responsible for supervising and training staff within the team. Evaluates design, development and coordination of projects. Lead committees and task forces to improve service and quality.

Responsibilities:

• Define program/project scope, goals and deliverables of assigned strategic initiatives of the Bank in collaboration with all stakeholders.
• Lead and deliver large, complex internal & external engagements that identify, design, and implement creative business and technology solutions for the Bank.
• Clearly define quantifiable program benefits, and ensure a benefits realization plan for the program
• Estimate the resources (human, financial and technical) needed to achieve project goals
• Prepare budget proposals, obtain approvals and recommend subsequent budget changes where necessary
• Effectively and efficiently manage resources tied to the various projects.
• Ensure that required approvals are obtained and that adequate documentation is maintained for all program/project expenditures
• Develop a holistic Business Readiness and Change Management plan to disseminate information to all stakeholders and the public throughout the program/project life cycle
• Effectively communicate project expectations to all stakeholders in a timely and clear fashion
• Manage multiple work streams on assigned projects to deliver expected quality within milestones and on budget, including the achievement of the benefits realization plan
• Supervise the activities of the Team Leads, Senior Associates, and Associates or other project team members and enabler teams working on assigned projects
• Proactively manage changes in project scope, identify potential crisis/risks, and devise contingency plans to provide solutions and take corrective action
• Conduct project post mortems reviews and make recommendations (Report) to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements
• Drive insight-infused discussions to enable Project sponsors to best develop and execute against their overall strategy
• Apply an in-depth knowledge of organizational structures, operating models and processes to analyze, assess and improve Project sponsor’s business and project requirements
• Identify and solve problems objectively using analysis, experience and judgment
• Identify and transform opportunities into solutions that drive business value for Bank internal clients.
• Develop presentations, reports and provide briefings on projects to Management
• Leverage cross-geography insights and practitioners to enhance internal Bank internal client service delivery
• Incorporate financial information when evaluating business opportunities and making recommendations
• Participate in the development and presentation of proposals for business development activities
• Develop relationships, establish credibility with and instill confidence in internal clients.
• Articulate how technology enables and differentiates the business and communicate this effectively to Project sponsors and other internal customers

Qualities

• Ability to identify program/project complexities and reflect same in the work plan
• Ability to make objective and well-informed decisions; and also to perceive the impact and implication of such decisions
• A very strong sense of ownership with every assigned task
• Strong track-record in effectively developing market credibility in a timely manner
• Strong people management and project management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the capacity to motivate and lead a team with enthusiasm, drive and effectiveness
• Proven ability to deliver on multiple tasks within tight timelines in a client-driven environment
• Excellent persuasive and negotiation skills
• Ability to show flexibility - open to change and adapt behavior or work methods in response to new information or unexpected obstacles
• Ability to effectively manage multiple work streams of the implementation program/project.
• Ability to identify and resolve conflicts within the project team
• Ability to implement best practices and tools for program/project execution and management
• Deep industry knowledge and good understanding of underlying operational issues

Challenges

• Managing shifts in organizational priorities and/ or changes in management structure
• Obtaining buy in of Project Sponsors
• Identifying relevant stakeholders and managing conflicting interests/objectives
• Allocation of resources
• Managing aggressive deadlines
• Geographically dispersed teams
• Limited project management skills by project team members

Key financial/statistical measures of Unit:

1. Market share growth

2. Cost savings.

3. Project abandonment rate.

4. Service rating

5. Project schedule variance.

6. Project budget performance.

Key Performance Indicators

• Program/Project Schedule Variance
• Program/Project Cost Variance
• Quality of project output
• Effective project handover

Job Requirements

Education

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree, with a minimum grade of 2.2
• Project Management certification will be an added advantage

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years relevant working experience, covering a range of functional areas
• Experience with managing transformation, change management or other strategic projects
• Experience with Program Management or Project Management Office desirable
• Supervisory experience

Key Competency Requirements

Knowledge

• Strong analytical skills
• Knowledge of principles, methods and tools for project management
• Knowledge of Finacle is desirable
• Good knowledge of Bank service delivery/operations processes is desirable
• Good understanding of Nigerian financial services industry

Skill/Competencies

• CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT
• BUDGET PLANNING & CONTROL
• DATA GATHERING AND ANALYSIS
• COST OPTIMISATION
• PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT
• BUSINESS/ OPERATIONAL STRATEGY
• CHANGE MANAGEMENT
• RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
• CLIENT INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE SERVICE
• QUALITY MANAGEMENT
• CORPORATE STRATEGY