Project Manager (Finance Background - Arabic Speaker )

JOB PURPOSE

Define project objectives (in line with the business needs), plan, execute, and finalize project delivery and manage team members and third-party contractors/consultants while ensuring that all projects undertaken are executed within the agreed timeframe, budget, technical specifications and quality parameters in accordance with the established policies and procedures.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Management.

• Manage, administer, co-ordinate and monitor all activities (including the activities of the consultants, contractors and statutory authorities) associated with the design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, completion and initial operation of the project within the timeline and budget.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and/or external service providers to ensure successful execution of the assigned project(s).
• Lead the project management team in the planning, organising, management and control of all aspects of the project in order to ensure that the project cycle is completed, meeting agreed project parameters (cost budget, timelines, scope and quality), standards and objectives.
• Confer with project staff to outline work plan and to assign duties, responsibilities, and scope of authority.
• Direct and realize site mobilization and demobilization to ensure all resources, including manpower, and site preparations and logistics are organized for the projects.
• Manage the process of design review of project layouts and any changes that would come up within the project lifecycle in order to ensure effective project execution.
• Develop, share and ensure compliance with the project plans developed for managed projects in order to ensure that projects are executed profitably and yield the required results.
• Ensure effective project information management so that it is easily accessible to other concerned parties.

Business Needs Analysis & Project Objectives

• Understand business needs and ensure that business owners have prioritized their decisions in order to develop project objectives that meet the targeted business requirements.
• Oversee the collaboration with departments across Corporate to understand change, systems or technology needs and to identify potential options or digital solutions prior to developing a business case.
• Ensure that the required support to the departments is provided with regards to drafting and developing business cases in order to identify the change, systems or technology requirements, the potential benefits as well as to critically review the cost impact of potential solutions.
• Oversee the smooth coordination with IT for detailed analysis of business cases to ensure fit to Corporate’s architecture and technology standards. This includes research on available solutions in market and recommendation of best-fit technologies based on business needs.

Monitoring and Control

• Monitor and report on project progress and budgets to superiors as per the agreed timelines and reporting formats.
• Oversee the work of external service providers on an ongoing basis and throughout the life cycle of the projects in order to ensure optimum external support.
• Ensure thorough monitoring and control of the project’s quality in order to comply with the Company's quality standards and stakeholders’ needs.

Post Project Phase

• Conduct project postmortems and create a recommendations report in order to identify successful and unsuccessful project elements.

Continuous Improvement

• Manage and contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of project management and execution tools taking into account ‘international best practice’, improvement of business processes, cost reduction and productivity improvement.

MIS and Reports

• Manage and provide inputs in the preparation of timely and accurate functional statements and reports to meet functional requirements, policies and standards.
• Direct the preparation of reports on the progress status according to the originally approved project, costs, timelines, and other project parameters for the stakeholders / management.

People Management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the unit by providing expertise, encouragement, ensuring teamwork and aligning work processes in order to achieve high performance standards.
• Manage the effective achievement of objectives through setting individual objectives for subordinates, managing performance, developing and motivating staff, provision of formal and informal feedback and appraisal in order to maximise subordinate and overall performance.
• Provide on the job training and constructive feedback to subordinates to support their overall development.

Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures

• Provide inputs and implement departmental policies, systems and procedures so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering a quality, cost effective service.

Related Assignments

• Perform other related duties or assignments as directed.
• To act as a back-up in the absence of a colleague.

FRAMEWORKS, BOUNDARIES & DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY

• The Project Manager reports to the Chief Executive Officer and refers to the latter for the escalation of any issues.
• All decisions concerning policies and procedures for the department are taken by the Project Manager in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer.
• All financial decisions will be as per the financial authority matrix set by the Organization

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS

Qualifications:

• BSc Degree in Management, Finance, Computer Science, Technology or Engineering.
• PMI-PMP – Project management professional certification, is preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• "8-10 years of experience in Project Management field with at least 5 years’ experience in leadership roles within a financial institution"
• English & Arabic Spoken ( Mandatory )
• Digitally savvy, with a passion for innovative and quality digital products
• Experience in Digital Product or Services Development (Mobile or Web)
• Experience in working as part of Agile teams
• Experience and Discipline with Testing/QA

Job-Specific Skills (Generic / Technical):

• Thorough knowledge of financing, operations, systems and procedures
• Excellent understanding of financing processes and products
• Expert knowledge and experience of project management
• Excellent knowledge of process redesign methodologies
• Excellent knowledge of change management techniques
• Experience participating in and supporting business change, RFP and procurement processes.
• Planning and organising skills
• Excellent data analysis skills
• Excellent facilitation skills
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Advance knowledge of IT applications
• Ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to work under pressure