Senior IT Project Manager in Manchester

Core is a high-growth Microsoft Managed Services Provider (MSP) delivering modern technology solutions across Azure, Microsoft 365, Security, and Modern Workplace.

We specialise in providing a wide range of services, solutions and software to optimise our clients’ Microsoft investments.

Our customers trust us to help them unlock productivity, reduce risk, and transform their businesses through technology.

We live by our CORE values: Customers first (we put customers at the heart of what we do and take accountability for our actions), One Core (we recruit, develop and retain great talent in a supportive team environment), Responsive (we’re flexible, approachable and responsive to customer needs), and Expertise (we’re proudly professional and continuously strive for excellence for customers, peers and partners).

Job description

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for leading the successful delivery of multiple concurrent customer-facing projects and programmes across Core's strategic customer base.

Working within a fast-paced Microsoft Managed Services and Professional Services environment, the Senior Project Manager will take ownership of project delivery, commercial performance, customer satisfaction and successful business outcomes.

The role will primarily focus on Microsoft technology projects including Microsoft 365, Azure, Power Platform and Modern Workplace solutions.

The successful candidate will be an experienced project delivery professional with a strong track record of managing complex technology transformation projects, engaging senior customer stakeholders and leading governance activities, whilst ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope and against agreed commercial objectives.

In addition, the Senior Project Manager will provide mentoring and guidance to other Project Managers and delivery team members, helping to promote best practice across the team and supporting successful customer outcomes.

• The PM will play several different roles in actual practice
• Enterprise-level Role

At an enterprise level, role includes

• Leading and managing large, complex enterprise-level projects.
• The projects may consist of multiple teams and require integration with other activities outside the scope of the teams.
• Team-level Role

At a team level, role includes

• Playing a consultative role to put in place the appropriate people, process, and tools, to improve team efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coaching members of the team as needed to optimize the efficiency of the project team.
• Project Role

At a project level, role includes

• Using good judgment and skill to develop a project management approach that is suitable for planning and managing the effort.
• Achieve the project goals within designated project constraints.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Managing multiple concurrent projects and programmes of varying size and complexity across strategic customer accounts.
• Leading project initiation activities, including project stand-up calls with customers and Core technical teams.
• Coordinating project delivery using PRINCE2 Agile and Scrum methodologies, including sprint planning, review sessions and regular customer and technical team meetings.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with senior customer stakeholders.
• Advising key stakeholders on development and integration plans.
• Managing change control, including the preparation of change requests, change justifications and commercial scoping.
• Planning and managing projects by defining project scope and schedules, focusing on the regular and timely delivery of value; organising and leading project status and working meetings; preparing and distributing progress reports; managing risks and issues; correcting deviations from plans; and performing delivery planning for assigned projects.
• Team building – promoting team empowerment, ensuring each team member is fully engaged and making a meaningful contribution, encouraging a sustainable pace with high levels of quality, and mentoring and supporting project delivery team members.
• Managing project status reporting and financial performance in line with Core's PMO processes by delivering weekly project updates and monthly governance reports to stakeholders, reporting exceptions to project boards, maintaining project financials, and providing accruals and project forecast data.
• Taking ownership of customer escalations and complex delivery challenges, driving resolutions that protect both customer satisfaction and commercial outcomes.
• Ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with agreed quality standards, contractual commitments and organisational governance processes.

• Project administration using PSA and Dev Ops tools including

• Project planning and deliverable tracking.
• Project backlog and release management.
• Project risk & issue management.
• Internal and external resource sourcing and coordination.
• Coordination of Pilot and UAT project activities.
• Project governance – budget & escalation management.
• Timesheet approvals.
• Budget and financial control.
• Qualification & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience delivering multiple concurrent IT transformation and professional services projects.
• Strong customer-facing experience, including engagement with senior stakeholders and executive sponsors.
• Extensive project management experience within an MSP, Consultancy or Professional Services environment.
• Proven commercial and financial management experience, including forecasting, change control and margin protection.
• Strong governance, risk, issue and dependency management skills.
• Experience managing internal delivery teams and third-party suppliers.
• Experience managing project budgets, commercials, complex delivery challenges and customer escalations.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong experience managing Microsoft technology projects including Microsoft 365, Azure, Power Platform and Modern Workplace solutions.
• Strong commercial awareness and customer-focused mindset.
• Experience operating within fast-paced, customer-facing delivery environments.
• Ability to work under pressure whilst managing multiple priorities.

Desirable

• PRINCE2 Practitioner and Agile qualifications.
• Proven track record of working with and implementing MS Dynamics & Share Point Solutions.
• Proven track record of working with business analyst and full stack developers.
• Awareness of market trends in the IT industry.
• Experienced in managing deliveries through Azure Dev Ops.
• We offer
• Work from home contract but alternatively, you can also work from our offices (London, Manchester, or Edinburgh).
• Appropriate, modern technology to support the fulfilment of your role.
• Significant focus on Learning + Development, including training courses, seminars, and social events in London.
• Supportive, ambitious and entrepreneurial culture where you'll have the freedom to drive ideas, take ownership and make a real impact.
• Two paid leave days per year to volunteer for causes that resonate with Core's values, such as charitable efforts, environmental initiatives, and supporting the next generation in tech.
• Private healthcare and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for mental health and wellbeing.
• Monthly WFH allowance.
• Life Assurance: 5x annual salary.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Catered quarterly & annual social events.
• Travel and accommodation allowance.
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