IT Project & Change Request Delivery Manager

Experience: 8-12 Years

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Overview:

We're looking for an experienced IT Project & Change Request Delivery Manager to lead our project and change request (CR) delivery teams.

You'll be crucial in driving accountability and ensuring on-time delivery of projects and CRs, coordinating people and processes effectively.

This role requires a strong understanding of the telecom sector, IT applications, and robust project management principles.

You'll work closely with business partners across Africa OpCOs, HQ-IT, and IT Partners in Airtel Africa to define requirements, manage project governance, and ensure successful delivery.

Key Responsibilities

- Determine and define project and CR scope and objectives.

- Maintain complete authority over IT initiatives to meet defined business needs.

- Ensure adherence to agreed delivery SLAs & KPIs for all projects and CRs.

- Provide coaching and leadership to partner teams, fostering collaboration and efficiency.

- Work regularly with senior leadership and partners to implement Change Management, project planning, resource allocation & utilization, and support Steering Committee meetings.

- Manage Partner SLA/KPI and performance.

- Control project/CR scope and risk management, proactively identifying and mitigating potential issues.

- Communicate project needs regularly and effectively to direct reports and project sponsors, ensuring consistent alignment.

- Predict resources needed to reach objectives and manage resources in an effective and efficient manner.

- Develop and manage a detailed project schedule and work plan.

- Utilize industry best practices, techniques, and standards throughout the entire project execution lifecycle.

- Drive the requirements and project definitions process, scheduling project deliverables and milestones.

- Develop and manage project governance, including steering committee meetings, sponsor meetings, project team meetings, and status reports.

- Share regular status updates with key project/CR stakeholders to ensure complete support and minimize disruptive consequences from issues.

Required Competencies:

- Proven track record in IT project implementation or IT operations, with a solid understanding of software development methodologies.

- Strong familiarity with project management tools, methodologies, and best practices.

- Demonstrated ability to deliver projects according to agreed scope, timeline, and budget.

- Possess a structured approach to work, with the ability to plan and organize larger projects/programs.

- Strong business & commercial acumen and excellent stakeholder management skills.

- Exceptional analytical skills to correctly identify risks and solve problems throughout the project lifecycle.

- Good time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.

- Excellent communication skills with effective stakeholder management & conflict resolution abilities.

- A good team player and an effective leader who can motivate their delivery team.

- Deep understanding of IT telecom business applications.

- Solid background in understanding and translating business demand into IT Solution design and applying multiple technical solutions to business problems.

Qualifications and Experience

- Minimum 8-12 years relevant experience in IT Project implementation/Operations & deliveries.

- Demonstrated ability to work within a process-driven environment.

- Experience in the design, planning, and operations of IT systems and solutions.

- A self-starter who recognizes what needs to be done, takes responsibility for finding solutions, and escalates when progress is impeded.

- Hands-on experience in managing complex IT projects & deliveries.

- Strong understanding of the Agile landscape