Infrastructure Architect – Large-Scale Solutions (On-Prem & Cloud) in Basildon

Location: Basildon, UK (5 days a week from office) long term contract position

Job Summary

The Infrastructure Project Manager is responsible for delivering complex and strategic IT Infrastructure projects within a global environment. Reporting to the Programme Director and/or Programme Manager, this role scopes, plans, and delivers projects and initiatives to meet specified business needs, controlling resources from multiple areas (including third parties) to achieve agreed cost, time, and quality objectives. The Infrastructure Project Manager is accountable for the progress and successful delivery of project efforts, ensuring adherence to governance, methodology, and best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex IT Infrastructure projects from initiation to implementation, including project set-up, kick-off, requirements analysis, solution design, build, test, production implementation, post-implementation review, training, issue resolution, status reporting, and lessons learned.
• Develop and document project briefs, set client expectations, and establish appropriate project governance structures.
• Assist clients and sponsors in obtaining authorisations and signoffs on business cases.
• Develop resource, cost, and duration estimates, create high-level project schedules, and request appropriate resources.
• Facilitate the development of all elements of project plans (scope, schedule, budget, change management, issues, risk, procurement, testing, training, communication, and transition to BAU).
• Manage, maintain, and track overall project plans, controls, budgets, and work assignments.
• Report project status (schedule, cost, benefit, risk, issues, and scope) to all stakeholders regularly.
• Organise and facilitate governance meetings, provide structured escalation paths, and determine corrective or preventive actions.
• Manage project risks and issues, ensuring active involvement and ownership by project team members.
• Build and maintain a cohesive cross-organisation/company project team ethos, fostering productive working relationships.
• Refine resource, cost, and duration estimates as projects progress, ensuring timely resource requests.
• Manage proposed changes in scope, schedule, or budget, communicating impacts and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Schedule, manage, and participate in key quality reviews, developing action plans to resolve issues.
• Ensure a clean, structured, and fully supported transition to BAU.
• Provide out-of-hours cover during implementation weekends as required.
• Perform project closeout activities, including lessons learned and archiving project information.

Skills & Competencies

• Proven success in delivering medium to large, complex IT Infrastructure projects within budget and specified timeframes, ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Strong knowledge of IT infrastructure, hardware, operational methodologies, and IT networks.
• Excellent time management, organisational, and prioritisation skills.
• Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment across geographical boundaries.
• Quality-focused with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines, with a drive and commitment towards project delivery.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Tools, especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project.
• Confident in preparing presentations, proposing solutions, and driving decisions.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and assignments simultaneously.
• Interpersonal ‘soft skills’ to facilitate and encourage best solutions.
• Risk management, budgeting, problem-solving, and requirements analysis.
• Ability to manage in a virtual team environment and motivate others.
• Commitment to team building and supporting wider team success.
• Ability to manage rapid change in a diverse and fast-paced environment.
• Initiative in building a network of contacts within the organisation.
• Self-driven with the ability to coach and mentor others.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to degree level in Computer Science, Business, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 5 to 10 years of project management experience (or a Bachelor’s Degree).
• PRINCE2 certification or equivalent.
• Certified Project Manager (preferred).
• Significant proven project management experience, preferably within the Consumer Finance industry.
• Experience managing full lifecycle projects with inter-dependent or direct resources.
• Experience facilitating meetings, reviews, and workshops with internal and external participants.
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Multi-lingual, multi-country project and business travel experience (preferred).
• Experience with Vision PLUS_ (strongly preferred).
• Card Payments business knowledge is a strong advantage.

Additional Requirements

• International travel may be required.
• Ability to provide out-of-hours cover during project implementations.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.