Syntax is a leading Managed Cloud Provider for Mission Critical Enterprise Applications and has been providing comprehensive technology solutions to businesses of all sizes since 1972. Syntax has undisputed strength to implement and manage ERP deployments (Oracle, SAP) in a secure and resilient private, public or hybrid cloud. With strong technical and functional consulting services, and world-class monitoring and automation, Syntax serves some of North America’s largest corporations across a diverse range of industries. Syntax has offices worldwide, and partners with Oracle, SAP, AWS, Microsoft, IBM and other global technology leaders.
JOB DESCRIPTION FORM
Job title:
Senior I&O Program / Project Manager
Country/Corporate/Region:
Americas
Function:
SAP Program / Project Management in I&O Edge - Americas
Department:
Infrastructure Management and Operations
Directly reporting to:
Head of I&O Edge – Americas
Other reporting lines:
Estimated Management Level:
SUMMARY OF THE JOB
The Senior SAP I&O Program / Project Manager is a key contributor for executing the Americas I&O Project Portfolio Management strategy in strong alignment with business requirements by driving portfolio planning and portfolio management related activities in the short, medium and long term while balancing and coordinating the fulfillment of confirmed demands. This position manages the strategic SAP projects and initiatives of I&O Edge of the Americas that require specific SAP technical knowledge, seniority and experience to provide the vision and approach by assessing the complexity and added value for IT and Business. In specific cases, this role can have the same responsibilities in non SAP related projects as required.
The overall target for this position includes:
● Develop, maintain and coordinate a portfolio of projects required for delivering all new and enhanced IT capabilities, functionality, products and services within I&O Edge Americas.
● Contribute to establish priorities and strategies consistent with business goals and economic viability.
● Promote the implementation of standards and programs whilst fostering innovation within Americas I&O Edge.
● Coach and support I&O Product Delivery managers / ADC Project Managers in delivering their projects according to quality, time, schedule and resources targets.
● Maintain and coordinate a portfolio of SAP projects required for delivering all new and enhanced IT capabilities, functionality, products and services within Americas I&O.
● Manage issue management and escalation as they relate to program delivery.
● Manage, develop, motivate and engage large project teams to ensure program delivery.
● Support post implementation project reviews and the integration of any lessons learned into future project delivery as well as third party project reviews.
● Ensures that IT service quality matches with business expectation for project delivery.
● Active participant in PMI (Project Management Institute) nationally and regionally.
MAIN ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
● Leading SAP project portfolio management within the Americas I&O Edge in close alignment with Group IT Strategy, Global SRE and Americas Application team.
● Contribute to Annual Planning / demand process by providing a clear view on committed manpower for project delivery for the I&O America Edge programs
● Supervising and ensuring the planning and coordination of all activities related to managing the project portfolio and reporting portfolio performance to key stakeholders
● Ensuring close alignment between business, application and I&O teams and supporting the business and IT priorities within Americas while taking advantage of changes in technology
● Contribute to the definition and continuous improvement of the I&O Project Methodology and ensure consistency across Americas I&O (SAP Programs).
● Contribute to the controlling of the I&O Americas project portfolio function and budget
● Managing resources, and controlling investment and costs across a portfolio of projects.
● Supporting the I&O Americas leadership in business forums to build credibility with a vast diversity of stakeholders, from different origins (Business and IT)
● Help recruiting, coaching, developing and motivating employees within own area of responsibility and creating a work environment that retains the key personnel required to deliver value added innovative IT services across the business
● Driving relationship management with key stakeholders, communication and ensuring alignment especially with Operational Architecture, Governance, I&O Digital Engineers, Americas applications, IT Security, IT service management and Product Delivery Management teams
● Act as the focal point operationally for all I&O Americas SAP Programs / Projects.
● Acting as the gatekeeper to ensure that the I&O Americas SAP portfolio does not unnecessarily increase costs
● Contribute to proposed changes or modifications to any Project and Portfolio Management process.
● Provide review and auditing function for continuous improvement of the I&O Americas Project and Portfolio Management process.
● Financial Monitoring and reporting for a portfolio of projects
● Project Infrastructure Management - ensure adherence to project environment (tools), creating and maintaining PM standards and procedures
● Maintains the Master Project Work Plan, Schedule and project metrics (Portfolio Assessment Scorecard) for all projects in portfolio
● Scope Control and Change Management (only for project scope) - responsible for maintaining a formal change request and approval process
● Risk Management - Help with identifying project risks, and manage total organizational exposure
● Cost and Schedule Management - implement project tracking and status reporting processes - summarize and communicate accomplishments
● Establishment of project metrics and lessons learned repository to help standardize knowledge management
● Communications Management - Help standardize communications plans and audit their use
● Ensure that the required training programs are in place for both IT and the user community
● Quality Management – Contribute / set up a project review process to validate steps taken to ensure project quality
● Project Closure - Monitor the closing of individual projects and participate in lessons learned activities
● Project Auditing - Assess compliance with standards and issues placing projects at risk
● Work with I&O Product Delivery managers, Project Managers to share best practices, lessons learned and organizational or project risks
● Project Rescue / Coaching as needed for high profile projects or projects at risk
● Training and education of all I&O Product Delivery managers, Project Managers in a standard process to build core project management competencies
● Provide hands-on coaching and leadership to I&O Product Delivery managers, ADC Project Managers.
Rigorously reviews all aspects of project lifecycle to seek improvement and identify weak spots, if necessary by communicating with the I&O Product Delivery managers, ADC Project Managers and teams
JOB DIMENSIONS
Portfolio: Americas I&O Edge – SAP Programs / Projects
Budget: TBA
Key figures: All SAP programs / projects within the I&O Americas Portfolio
IT Projects: Several projects conducted in parallel related to I&O, application implementation or general services transformation or enhancement, with between 3-5 projects running in parallel.
Head Count:
Direct Reports: Up to 5 Product Delivery Managers/Specialists or Project Managers
Key interfaces, stakeholder and relationships:
Internal: Business Process Owners, Americas ADC Application and Leadership Team, Product Delivery managers, Project Managers, Global SRE group, I&O Digital Engineering group, I&O Edge members, IT resources, Business Relationship Managers
External: Consulting Companies; Service Providers
PROFILE REQUIRED
Level of education/qualifications normally required:
● Undergraduate degree in Information Technology, Business and/or Project Management
● PMP or MBA Designation
● ITIL Certification Preferred
● SAP Application Certification Preferred
● Organization change management experience / Certification Preferred
Specific work experience:
● Significant experience (8 years +) in the management of SAP IT Programs / projects
● Experience (8 years +) in managing complex, multi-year projects
● Experience (5 years +) in managing IT Project Portfolio
● Proficient understanding of overall business application landscape and its integration or similar experience
● Gained experience in leading multidisciplinary, high performance work teams/groups
● Demonstrated high competency in project management
● Proven track record of tight project/cost control
● Long-term experience in requirements engineering and management
● Significant experience in change management and integration projects
● Experience in implementation of IT standards, policies and governance
● Experience (8 years +) in project finance management
● Experience with running agile projects.
Technical / functional skills:
● SAP application functional knowledge
● Ability to manage complex, multi-year projects
● Ability to define and implement project and portfolio management methodologies
● Ability to manage a project portfolio with a staff of highly trained IT professionals
● Knowledge of best practices to guide teams through issues related to the design, development, and deployment of mission critical information and software systems
● Ability to contribute to IT policies and governance
● Proficiency managing agile software such as Jira, strong abilities using Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, and dashboards construction.
● Experience with the definition, implementation and monitoring of KPIs and performance metrics for complex projects.
● Capacity management techniques for traditional and agile projects.
Behavioral competencies:
● Open-minded, collaborative and an effective team player,
● High willingness to drive transformation and service improvement
● Ability to communicate openly and effectively with senior management, Business Units management, with other IT managers, with staff, and with many diverse constituencies
● Ability to work decisively under heavy workload considering the criticality, urgency and extended work hours required to ensure availability of the service in accordance to service level commitments
● Ability to manage multi-cultural and multi-located teams
● Strong customer / end-user / client service orientation
● Highly self-motivated and directed
● Ability to deal with ambiguity
● Keen attention to detail
● Capability for problem solving, decision making, sound judgment, assertiveness
Leadership and managerial abilities:
● Ability to lead and inspire teams across companies, multi-located resource pool with cultural barriers
● Team and people development skills
● Ability to champion new initiatives and technologies – “Change Leader”
● Ability to mentor and support career development of Project Managers
● Strong relationship building, Team building and interpersonal skills
● Strong influencing skills to manage ITLT, business stakeholders
● Ability to coach, develop and motivate project managers
Linguistic skills:
● Excellent English (written & spoken) - other languages specific to region are a plus
Mobility requirements (time spent traveling internationally, nationally etc.):
Why Syntax?
Become a part of our success story and work in a company with exciting innovation projects that are causing a stir across the industry. We recently launched one of the world's most advanced manufacturing facilities based on SAP S/4HANA Cloud and SAP Digital Manufacturing Cloud for Execution - for Smart Press Shop, a pioneering joint venture between Porsche and forming specialist Schuler.
- Competitive, above-average compensation
- Global tourist: With us, you can also work from abroad from time to time
- Flexible working time models, home office
- Attractive benefits, e.g. company pension scheme or various health offers
- A modern environment in which the "you" is part of it
- Open feedback culture, flat hierarchies and a motivated team
- Individual career planning with continuous training and coaching on the job
You see a personal challenge in this responsible task? Apply now - and become part of the SYNTAX team!
