Senior Project Manager

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for managing the delivery of more complex project scope and objectives. They are accountable for delivery of quality projects on time, on budget and brief. They are also responsible for the line management of Project Managers. Senior Project Manager is a highly respected and influential role at Verastar.

Reports to: Programme / Portfolio Manager

Responsibilities of the role:

• Define, plan, control and deliver business projects within suitable governance structure, timescales, scope, and budget.
• Identify required resources and assign responsibilities.
• Create and deliver project work plans designed to achieve objectives taking account of organisational constraints such as operating environment, timescales, budget, and scope.
• Produce appropriate project documentation including project and resourcing plans, risk and issue logs, functional specifications, and regular project budget reports.
• Provide effective and timely reports to ensure stakeholders are kept up to date at all stages throughout the project lifecycle.
• Effective management of risks including early identification, escalation of issues and realisation of opportunities.
• Create quality assurance plans, ensuring these are followed to assure all projects objectives are met and delivered whilst minimising disruption to the wider operation.
• Manage day-to-day operational aspects of the project(s) throughout entire project lifecycle, and revise plans as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements.
• Works closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the project(s).
• Conduct project reviews to identify and drive improvements.
• Leveraging appropriate best practice project management techniques and leading wider members of the team.
• Reviews scope documentation completed by project managers, and coaches and mentors them to strengthen the scope, and deal with scope change.
• Reviews baseline plans completed by project managers, and coaches and mentors them to strengthen the plan, and deal with scope change.
• Reviews risk and issue registers completed by project managers and coaches and mentors project managers to ensure they are being dealt with appropriately.
• Reviews actual project progress and coaches and mentors project managers to ensure we remain on track or we re-baseline appropriately.
• Supports project managers at project sponsor, steer, and team meetings, and coaches and mentors project managers to obtain the outcomes and decisions needed.
• Supports project managers approaching Go Live and coaches and mentors project managers to ensure the project is ready for a successful Go Live.
• Supports project managers at project closedown and coaches and mentors project managers to ensure a successful closedown and that BAU responsibilities are clear.
• Reviews lessons learned through projects and works with PMO team to make changes to PMO mode of operation which incorporate lessons learned.
• Performs line management duties for project managers including but not limited to coaching, mentoring, sickness, absence, performance, objectives, appraisals etc.

Success Measures:

• Delivering project outputs to scope within budget and timeframe with key milestones hit.
• Delivering project value on behalf of project sponsors.
• Strong risk and issue management and mitigation.
• Effective resource management which inspires project stakeholders to succeed.
• Great feedback from project managers and senior management.

Experience:

• Has at least three years’ experience in the role of project manager delivering a variety of commercial and operational projects throughout the project lifecycle.
• Proven track record of project methodology implementation and driving improvements.
• Good knowledge of budgeting and resource allocation procedures.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced transforming organisation, where everything isn’t perfect, but we’re working hard to get there.
• Proven track record of people management and performance management (desirable).

Skills:

• Strong leadership and management skills which inspires project stakeholders to succeed.
• Good judgement, analytical skills and robust decision-making ability.
• Stakeholder management with ability to lead and influence colleagues and seniors.
• Self-awareness to identify own development needs and the desire to continually improve.
• A confident and concise communication style both written and verbal.
• The ability to find innovative ways to resolve problems.

Qualifications and other requirements:

• Industry Experience: Information Technology, Utilities and/or Service provision, preferred.
• Location: within commuting distance of Verastar HQ, Sale, Manchester.
• IT literate, with knowledge of the effective use of Microsoft (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• A passion for coaching and mentoring people to succeed in project management.

In return for your hard work, you’ll get:

• Core benefits including pension contributions and life assurance.
• Great discounts on 100s of high street and online stores.
• 25 days holiday rising with service up to 28 days.
• Your birthday off every year.
• Option to buy up to 10 extra holidays and sell up to 5 holidays per year.
• Cycle to work and travel loans for people wanting a greener commute.
• Wellbeing support including 24/7 access to a GP, mental health support, get fit programmes and free legal and financial guidance.

The important extras:

• Hybrid working – option to work three days from home if you choose.
• Opportunities to get involved in charity fundraising and volunteering days through our giving back movement.
• Amazing on-site facilities, such as free on-site gym, free parking, subsidised café and an on-site subsidised bar for after-work drinks, quiz nights and social events.
• Full time/Permanent contract of 37.5 hours per week.
• No weekends and every bank holiday off.

What happens next:

If you’re looking for a new challenge with great benefits at an award-winning company, then Verastar is the place for you. To be part of our continued success click ‘Apply’ today to take the next step in your career. Across The Verastar Group, we’re passionate about creating an inclusive team and celebrating our diversity. We want talented people with great skills and matching values to join our teams. All successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks.