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- Tasks: Lead the transformation of legacy systems into modern architecture while managing cross-functional teams.
- Company: Join Waterstones, a beloved bookselling cornerstone in the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that values your unique perspective.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a major systems modernisation programme in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in large systems programmes and strong technical background required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.
About the job
IT Project Manager Permanent Based in Burton Upon Trent with travel to Birmingham and London. (hybrid working with 3 days on site and 2 days at home)
We are seeking an experienced IT Project Manager to join our friendly and dynamic team here at Waterstones in Burton Upon Trent. You will lead the replacement of a legacy AS400/iSeries ERP system. This is Phase 1 of a broader enterprise systems modernisation programme. You will provide the technical leadership needed to safely transition from a highly customised, deeply embedded legacy system to a modern architecture. You will bridge business requirements with technical delivery, coordinate multiple vendors and teams, manage complex integrations and data migration, identify and mitigate technical risks early, and ensure the solution is robust, scalable, and operationally ready. The successful candidate will own delivery, manage risk, and ensure successful go live.
What you will be doing
- Programme Leadership
- Establish and maintain programme governance and reporting structures
- Maintain RAID logs and manage escalations
- Chair weekly delivery meetings with UK and US teams
- Lead cutover planning and go-live execution
- Technical Oversight
- Work closely with Technical Leads to ensure architecture, integrations, and environments are fit-for-purpose
- Oversee data migration strategy and execution
- Ensure architectural decisions are validated and signed off
- Understand legacy AS400 / iSeries constraints and risk areas
- Challenge vendor proposals and technical assumptions
- Operational Alignment
- Ensure ERP design aligns with business processes and operational realities
- Facilitate workshops with business SMEs
- Guide decisions on process redesign vs replication
- Oversee UAT cycles and business sign-off
- Balance operational needs against technical feasibility
- Data Migration & Cutover Governance
- Oversee early data profiling and cleansing
- Ensure migration rehearsals are planned and executed
- Define reconciliation and validation checkpoints
- Own data governance during cutover
- Cross-Regional Coordination
- Align UK and US teams on objectives, timelines, and responsibilities
- Work with project Sponsor to establish clear decision rights (RACI)
- Steering & Executive Reporting
- Prepare monthly steering packs
- Present risk, budget, and delivery updates clearly to sponsor and steering group
- Ensure Go/No-Go decisions are based on objective evidence
What we need from you
- Significant experience in large, complex systems programmes
- Leading multi‑year, multi‑workstream transformations
- Delivering replacements of legacy or core business systems (ERP, WMS, OMS, custom platforms, AS400-type environments)
- Managing cross‑functional teams and multiple vendors
- Strong technical background
- Understanding of systems architecture, integrations, APIs, databases, and infrastructure
- Experience with data migration and cutover approaches
- Ability to challenge technical decisions and translate complexity into clear plans
- Exposure to cloud platforms, modern integration patterns, and enterprise system design
- Proven programme and delivery management skills
- End‑to‑end ownership of programme planning, RAID management, governance, and budget
- Strong command of delivery methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, hybrid)
- Ability to run complex dependency management across tech, business, and 3rd parties
- Leadership and stakeholder management capability
- Comfortable influencing senior stakeholders and resolving technical‑business conflicts
- Skilled at driving clarity, decision‑making, and accountability
- Able to lead diverse teams through technical ambiguity and change
- Relevant qualifications or certifications (not essential but highly valuable) PMP, PMI-ACP, PRINCE2, or MSP for programme/project governance
- Scrum Master or Agile Delivery certifications
- ITIL for operational readiness and service transition understanding
Person Profile
- Resilient and calm under pressure, capable of navigating competing priorities across a multi‑year modernisation programme.
- Highly collaborative, able to build strong relationships with engineers, vendors, SMEs, and senior stakeholders.
- Pragmatic and delivery‑focused, able to balance ideal architecture with real‑world constraints of legacy environments and operational pressures.
- A strategic thinker who can simplify complexity and communicate clear technical direction across both technical and non‑technical teams.
Why work for Waterstones
Waterstones is the cornerstone of bookselling across the UK and Ireland. Joining Waterstones means being an active part in a success story that began in 1982, and books are as popular now as the day we started. Trading across the UK, Ireland and Europe, we are present in over 300 shopping locations, where Waterstones continues to thrive, each year actively pursuing a programme of new bookshop openings.
If you have the relevant essential experience and you are interested, we would love to hear from you.
Waterstones is committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and is dedicated toward eliminating unlawful discrimination. Our aim is to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel fully respected and to be able to give their best.
Diversity Statement
At Waterstones, we are committed to creating a workplace that is fair and inclusive to people from all backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, and we strive to promote an inclusive work culture. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment processes are free from bias, and our aim is to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each employee to feel fully respected and able to give their best.
Reasonable Adjustments
We understand that some disabled applicants may, due to the nature of their disability, find some parts of the recruitment process challenging. If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the interview process, please make these known either to your interviewer or the person you liaise with when setting up your interview.
Information Technology Project Manager in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Waterstones
Contact Detail:
Waterstones Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Information Technology Project Manager in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the IT field, especially those who might have insights into Waterstones or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s projects and values. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your experience with legacy systems and modernisation aligns perfectly with what we’re doing at Waterstones.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve led complex projects, managed risks, and delivered results. We love hearing about real-life experiences that showcase your problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Information Technology Project Manager in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with large, complex systems programmes. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the IT Project Manager role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple vendors. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your technical background and experience with data migration and cutover approaches, as this will help us understand your fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This way, you’ll ensure that your application is received directly by our team, making it easier for us to review your credentials.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waterstones
✨Know Your Legacy Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of legacy systems, especially AS400/iSeries. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully managed transitions from such systems in the past, and think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Demonstrate Technical Leadership
Showcase your ability to lead technical teams by preparing examples of how you've coordinated multiple vendors and teams in previous projects. Highlight your experience with data migration strategies and how you ensured robust, scalable solutions.
✨Master the Art of Communication
Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Prepare to discuss how you've facilitated workshops or meetings to align teams on objectives and timelines.
✨Prepare for Risk Management Discussions
Be ready to talk about how you've identified and mitigated risks in past projects. Bring examples of how you've maintained RAID logs and managed escalations, and be prepared to discuss your approach to ensuring successful go-live outcomes.