Program Manager

We are looking for a Program Manager! Reach out if you are interested and feel free to refer friends/colleagues!

Type of Employment: Contract
Title: Program Manager
Term: Contract – 12 months with extension
Location: Toronto – Hybrid 3 days a week
Industry: Banking
Job ID number: 221

Description

Position Purpose:

Accountable for leading, developing, managing and implementing all the IT project plans for highly complex IT programs. Managing the delivery of functionality, running concurrent projects utilizing shared resources, with aggressive timelines.  The project methodology being followed is both Agile and Iterative Waterfall.  Lead, direct and oversee activities on planning, delivery and implementation to ensure enterprise-wide program strategic goals and objectives are accomplished within approved time frames, scope and budget.

Key Accountabilities:

• Responsible for leading large, cross-organization project teams towards targeted and scheduled outcomes that deliver on the program objectives
• Manage programs with high amount of value (benefit/cost), complexity and uncertainty or manages sub-programs within a very large program
• Integrates efforts, continuously assesses and refines approaches and plans and has the overall accountability of ensuring effective and timely communications to the appropriate parties
• Engages routinely with the client’s executive leadership to communicate project objectives, strategy, tactics, and ongoing progress
• Will provide leadership and facilitate the necessary stakeholder discussion that identifies the business change and drive the necessary consensus to adopt a manageable change strategy
• The Program Manager will direct the IT Project Managers to achieve defined outcomes aligned with the overall business and technical strategies
• Ensures the efficiency and the effective delivery of the all the project plans being developed by the Project Managers, their project management processes, planning, budgets, and risk assessments
• Establish, document and implement Program-wide standards and procedures in conjunction with the PMO
• Provide oversight of all deliverables and activities throughout the program lifecycle and advise project teams on best practices and techniques throughout the program lifecycle
• Translate the project vision into program high level scope, design and executables
• Develop, monitor and execute project plans and coordinate timely execution of major milestones, approvals, sign-offs and implementation
• Create transformational business and/or technology strategies and deliverables that will reshape the business processes to enhance or create significant growth opportunities
• Facilitate schedule and cost forecasting and mentors project managers in determining risk based provisions
• Create metrics and manages with a higher level of information (i.e., at the trends and management indicator level); differentiates between project and program metrics.
• Execute designated program governance activities.  Champion strong governance through the creation of a program decision framework; manage program scope using appropriate fact-based metrics/assumptions
• Monitor and resolve program risks, issues, assumptions, constraints and dependencies
• Guide project team in developing criteria for and participate in the evaluation of 3rd party vendors and software as well as due diligence exercises
• Identify and manage overall program costs, timeline and resources
• Manage financial impacts and forecasts at the program level
• Anticipate and quantify tactical, operational and strategic risks, applying risk-based approach to forecasting
• Manages escalation and resolution of program issues and risks and impact of cross project dependencies
• Participates in weekly program and project status reports review and gather and review critical issues list
• Supervise project closure initiatives, such as client satisfaction survey and closure analysis
• Promotes innovative or improved methods to get work done and implements best practice.  Coaches and mentors project manager(s) development and continuous improvement
• Provide governance and oversight of all project status reports and management documents (Program Charter, Project Charter, DOU, CTD, Project Scope, BOA, FPP)
• Co-chair with BU PM executive committee meetings on a monthly basis

Knowledge & Experience:

Must-have

• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Information Technology or Arts and Science
• PMP certification
• 10+ years experience as a Program Manager
• 10+ years proven experience successfully managing and implementing several large scale, high visibility projects with management of large cross-functional project teams
• Proven experience leading large scale, high visibility projects

Nice-to-have

• MBA
• Certification in Technology or Computer Science
• Previous RBC or Financial Services experience
• Experience in managing projects for Finance at a FI

Skills & Competencies:

• Leadership and management experience to lead large project teams
• High level of general management skills including, but not limited to, leading, negotiating, communicating and team building
• Proficient knowledge of Project Management and Project Management Office methodology
• Proficient knowledge of project metrics, including gathering, reporting, trend analysis, creation, and metrics
• Advanced business acumen
• Advanced verbal and written communications skills required to manage communications to all stakeholders
• Advanced ability to identify issues and problems, generate solutions and choose appropriate alternatives using basic root cause analysis
• Advanced user proficiency with all MS Office applications, MS Project and/or Visio

Attributes:

• Highly organized with superior time management skills
• Strong customer service orientation with good interpersonal skills
• Conceptual thinker, creative thinker and analytical thinker
• Creative problem solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, detail oriented environment
• Drives for results and high performance for self and team members Primary Responsibilities:

• Take the lead on managing the day-to-day activities.
• Responsible for project plan updates
• Lead working sessions with SMEs
• Ensure detailed and well thought out schedule/planning efforts, identification of risks and escalation points.
• Provide accurate and timely status reporting based on mpp updates, issues, risks etc.
• Build and manage effective relationships with key stakeholders, team members, and other business, functional and support groups.