Position Description

Position:	Project Planning Manager
Reports To:	VP, Business System Delivery
Direct Reports:
Indirect Reports:
Overall Purpose and Main Objectives:	This position is accountable for building and maintaining effective project planning practices for the organization. In addition this role will manage larger more complex project plans for designated strategic projects. The capability to coach managers, business partners and staff in the practical application of project planning standards for successful delivery is essential. Being highly effective by communicating upwardly and downwardly to influence the use of effective project planning practices is essential. This position is best summarized as a one person project management office with hands on project management work. Position reports to the VP, Business System Delivery.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:	1. Project Planning - Implement project planning and management processes, tools and methodology by: creating standard project templates, work effort assessment tools and guidelines to support application development methodologies and contributing to the maintenance of standard processes for on-time delivery and within budget for projects of varying sizes and complexity. Assist in the practice of project execution. 2. Project Management - Ability to create and maintain large complex project plans. Provide oversight of larger complex projects to confirm that project goals, objectives, work breakdown structures are defined and drive at how the goals will be achieved, quantifying the resources needed and determining budgets and timelines for completion across the department. Work to introduce Agile Project Management methods where appropriate to decrease delivery time and better meeting business needs. 3. Project Tracking - Monitor and review to see that project plans are well constructed and maintained. Support the project prioritization process by maintaining a master view of all projects and status through formalized tracking and communication. Provide warnings of serious deviations or variations that may compromise project results by using consistent communication documents such as schedules, issue logs and risk management plans. Ability to look across the portfolios and intuit otherwise unforeseen constraints and dependencies. 4. Coaching - Provide coaching to Portfolio Managers on best practice project planning tools and techniques and assist in guiding the development of large complex project plans. Act as a liaison and consultant between all parties concerned on methods to facilitate any approved and difficult modifications to the project plans and resources. Influence to minimize changes and mitigate risks. 5. Best Practices - Seek and apply best practices from the project management discipline and other organizations in a pragmatic manner to evolve and keep our project management practices current. Desire to stay current with project management methodologies that influence planning practices.
Required Knowledge and Experience:
Fully Qualified:	* Bachelor's Degree * 8 + years' experience in large project planning, leadership or management for information technology projects, both business and technical in nature * Expert in Microsoft Project Planning software (MS 2007), building, maintaining and manipulating project plans. * Deep understanding of Project Management practices and when to apply them pragmatically * Good oral and written communication skills * Up skilling and ongoing coaching of current staff * Helps others achieve * Reacts to project changes, adjustments and alterations promptly and efficiently * Track record for system delivery * Persuasive, encouraging and motivating * Ability to effectively prioritize and execute in a high-pressure environment * Negotiation, conflict management, adaptability required * Capability to be hands on within a small IT shop working on complex projects * Influencing and leading * Planning and organizing * Prefer a candidate with some property/casualty insurance industry experience * Prefer candidate with contemporary technology background * Solid knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) * Flexible during times of change * Excellent analytical abilities * Experience working with software vendors and consultants
Physical Requirements:	* Normal office environment * Some overnight travel may be required * Some off hours support required based on project demands
"The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required of personnel so classified."

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