Senior Project manager

At Click Learning we are passionate about using technology in education to pursue outcomes

based interventions that can meaningfully impact learners in South Africa. We deploy online

literacy and numeracy programmes, within underprivileged primary schools across South Africa, to build learners' foundations as well as recognise learning gaps and provide them with relevant catch up learning content. Programmes offer young learners the opportunity to work at their own pace through fun and enjoyable activities while navigating their learning journey by means of technology. Whilst addressing the literacy and numeracy crisis, Click also equips learners with the technological skills required for future success.

We are seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead the establishment of a Project Management Center of Excellence (PMCoE) focusing on the planning, execution, and delivery of key projects at Click Learning. This role is critical to ensuring the effective implementation of organisational special projects and supporting the Digital Transformation initiative.

The ideal candidate will bring experience working in established PMO's, expertise in project management methodologies, stakeholder coordination, and effective delivery of complex projects. Additionally, you will assist in managing the organisation's defined project delivery methodology, including related documentation templates and processes, to ensure consistency and efficiency in project execution. The role requires an understanding of technologies to enable effective communication with technical teams and the ability to preempt and resolve potential blockages to ensure smooth project delivery.

What you'll do?

1. Planning & Execution

• Monitor & manage project initiation requests process into PMCoE for motivation and prioritization. (Portfolio Backlog)
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define clear project scopes, objectives, and success criteria that align with organisational priorities and strategic goals.
• Develop comprehensive project plans that include detailed timelines, budgets, resource requirements, and risk assessments, ensuring alignment with stakeholders' expectations.
• Proactively monitor project progress, identifying deviations from the plan and taking corrective action to keep projects on track.
• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards by conducting regular reviews and engaging key stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

2. Stakeholder & Executive Reporting

• Weekly reporting on key strategic projects & bi-monthly status reporting on Portfolio project statuses, highlighting focus areas, risks & blockers.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal teams, partners, and external vendors to facilitate smooth communication and coordination.
• Lead reporting standards across the organization to Jnr Project Managers/Project teams and advocate best practices from the PMCoE.
• Prepare and present detailed project reports, dashboards, and presentations tailored to various audiences, from team-level updates to executive summaries.

3. Problem Solving & Risk Management

• Anticipate potential blockages by regularly evaluating project risks and dependencies and devising contingency plans.
• Act as a key point of escalation to quickly address and resolve issues impacting project delivery, leveraging resources and expertise as needed.
• Maintain a proactive approach to problem-solving by engaging with teams early to address challenges and ensuring unblocked workflows.

4. Technical Understanding

• Develop a foundational understanding of the technologies and systems used within the organisation to facilitate effective communication across project teams.
• Work closely with technical leads/subject matter experts to align project requirements with technological capabilities, ensuring realistic timelines and expectations.
• Use insights into technical processes to identify opportunities for streamlining workflows and improving project outcomes.

5. Process Optimization (Establishment of PMCoE)

• Leadership of PMCoE
• Review and analyse existing workflows to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, or bottlenecks, making recommendations for improvements at a project management lifecycle level.
• Implement process changes that enhance the organisation's agility, ensuring that teams can adapt quickly to shifting priorities or external factors.
• Leverage data and metrics to measure process performance and demonstrate the impact of optimisation efforts.

6. Team Leadership & Development

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation within project teams, ensuring a shared understanding of goals and responsibilities.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and constructive feedback to junior team members, supporting their professional growth and development.
• Actively identify skills gaps within teams and recommend training or development opportunities to build overall team capacity.

7. Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Stay informed about emerging trends in project management and recommend…