Senior Project Manager (Customer Rewards Strategy)

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:
About the Role We are seeking a strategic Senior Project Manager to lead complex, high-impact initiatives within a Rewards Programme environment . This role is suited to a seasoned professional with strong leadership capability, advanced stakeholder management skills, and deep domain expertise in rewards programmes. You will be responsible for driving large-scale, cross-functional projects from inception to delivery, ensuring alignment across business, technology, and operations. The ideal candidate brings a combination of project delivery excellence, rewards programme lifecycle experience, and strong leadership skills to influence outcomes in a dynamic environment. NB: This role is specifically for Cape Town-based candidates due to the hybrid work requirement. Key Responsibilities: Project Leadership & Delivery • Lead and manage one or more large, complex projects with medium to large teams • Define and establish the overall project vision, governance structures, and delivery frameworks • Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans with clear milestones and interdependencies • Ensure delivery is on time, within budget, and aligned to scope • Track progress and provide consolidated reporting to stakeholders and leadership Stakeholder & Vendor Management • Coordinate and facilitate workshops across stakeholders, delivery teams, and external vendors • Align business, technology, compliance, and operational teams • Manage external vendor engagement, contracting, and delivery timelines • Provide regular updates and reporting to senior leadership Risk, Governance & Planning • Establish governance forums (steering committees, working groups, etc.) • Manage risks, issues, and dependencies across all workstreams • Maintain RAID logs with clear mitigation strategies • Ensure compliance, risk alignment, and operational readiness Change & Programme Enablement • Drive change management initiatives to support adoption of new capabilities • Establish communication plans and stakeholder engagement strategies • Support rewards programme enhancements, including rule changes and partnerships • Ensure alignment with overall Rewards Programme lifecycle management Requirements & Qualifications Must-Have Skills • 8–10 years’ experience in Project Management with a strong delivery track record • Proven experience delivering multiple complex, strategic Rewards projects • Non-negotiable: Rewards Programme experience (models, rule changes, partnerships, lifecycle management) • Strong knowledge of Agile project methodologies • Experience working in complex, dynamic, and evolving environments • Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills • Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities Industry & Domain Knowledge • Relevant Insurance industry experience • Deep understanding of Rewards environments and programme structures Essential Certifications • PMP \/ PgMP \/ CAPM \/ PMI-ACP or PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner \/ SAFe Lean Portfolio Management Preferred Qualifications • Certified Scrum Master (CSM) Preferred Experience • Exposure to Rewards Programmes and Data Analytics initiatives Behavioural Competencies • Stakeholder Management & Influencing • Decision Making & Accountability • Building Partnerships & Collaboration • Customer Orientation • Results-driven mindset • Ability to manage conflict and obstacles • Adaptability in ambiguous environments • Strong independence and initiative • Innovation and continuous improvement mindset Key Deliverables • End-to-end project plan with timelines and dependencies • Workshop facilitation and documented outputs • Weekly and monthly status reports (RAG status) • Risk, issue, and dependency logs • Consolidated delivery timelines across teams • Change management and communication plans Education • Relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field Additional Information • Contract role with possibility of renewal • Salary: Market Related\/ Negotiable • Location: Cape Town (Hybrid – 3 days per week in office) • Business Area: Goals, Rewards & Digital Channels • Level: Senior • Must be based in Cape Town