Programme Manager

About us Our vision is to be the preferred partner to Corporate and Public Sector by providing an awesome client experience and comprehensive solutions that enable the financial resilience and prosperity of those entities and their employees. We tap into over 100 years of expertise to provide cost-effective Employee Benefits and Healthcare Solutions that enable financial confidence for our members. We enable our clients to make better retirement and risk decisions today through determined and passionate thought leadership and best-in-class people, innovative products and proven processes all designed to help people live a better life tomorrow We believe in creating and cultivating a positive, energised working environment that gives every individual the opportunity to achieve success, embracing diversity and committed to transformation. We do this through living our values of having the courage to be bold, care, collaboration and an intolerance for mediocrity. We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth
Division One of the largest businesses within the Sanlam Group, Sanlam Corporate (SC) specialises in the provision of risk, investment and administration services to institutions and retirement funds. Focused on meeting the unique needs of its diverse clients, SC assists companies in creating and delivering customised employee benefits solutions, including the collection of premiums and communication to fund members Purpose of the role Lead overall execution, delivery, closure, and benefit realisation of all complex strategic projects/programmes, end-toend, in accordance to relevant methodologies and governances (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira). Possess a deep understanding of financial industry dynamics and regulations and the ability to engage effectively with C Suite stakeholders. Proficiency in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is advantageous, as it will contribute to our organization's strategic growth Roles and responsibilities

• Programme Leadership: Lead the end-to-end planning, execution, and oversight of large-scale initiatives within the Financial Services sector, emphasizing business architecture enhancements. Ensure alignment with organizational objectives and strategic priorities.
• BA Management: Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management for Business Analysts (BAs).
• Project governance: Maintain and enforce project governance frameworks and lead internal project audits.
• Business Architecture Integration: Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to analyze current business processes, identify gaps, and design solutions that optimize operational efficiency, compliance, and competitiveness. Develop and implement tailored business architecture frameworks that drive process improvements and support growth in the financial sector.
• Stakeholder Management: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with C Suite stakeholders within the Financial Services domain.
• Communicate project progress, risks, costs, benefits, change management and strategic insights effectively. Manage stakeholder expectations and facilitate alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
• Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, actively addressing challenges that could impact project timelines, budgets, or outcomes. Develop robust risk management strategies to ensure successful project delivery in the dynamic financial landscape.
• Change Management: Formulate and execute comprehensive change management plans tailored to the Financial Services industry. Facilitate smooth adoption of new processes, technologies, and business architecture enhancements across diverse teams and units.
• Benefit-Tracking: Define, track, and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) to gauge the impact and success of business architecture initiatives. Provide regular updates to executive leadership and stakeholders within the Financial Services domain.
• Resource Management: Effectively allocate and manage project resources, fostering a collaborative environment that supports project milestones. Mentor and guide team members, enhancing their professional growth within the Financial Services context.
• Budget Oversight: Develop, manage, and optimize project budgets in line with financial constraints and industry standards. Monitor expenditures to ensure prudent resource utilization and project success.
• M&A Expertise (Advantageous): Leverage profound M&A experience to drive successful integration efforts within the Financial Services sector. Lead harmonization of processes, technologies, and cultures to achieve synergy and strategic objectives.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• Extensive experience (8+ years) successfully managing complex initiatives with significant business architecture implications within the Financial Services sector.
• Proven ability to engage, influence, and communicate effectively with C Suite stakeholders in financial institutions.
• Deep understanding of financial industry dynamics, regulations, and best practices.
• Expertise in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and integration within the Financial Services domain is highly advantageous.
• Strong project management skills with proficiency in relevant methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall) and tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira).
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
• Accomplished in change management strategies and their application in the Financial Services industry.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving aptitude tailored to financial contexts.

Knowledge and skills

• Excellent Administration & Time Management skills
• Excellent Reporting & accuracy skills
• Stakeholder management skills
• Business planning & budgeting skills
• Financial services industry exposure is advantageous

Personal qualities

• Confidence with engaging at all levels
• Agility with Leading & being leader-led
• Structured & attention to detail
• Accountable & Focussed
• Great Communication
• Self-mastery & Emotional Intelligence
• Resilient & Change Adaptive

Turnaround time The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers Our commitment to transformation