Finance Project Manager

Our Client is a market leader within the Private Equity space and currently has 4 funds in active management. The business is in the process of rolling out a major program looking to improve efficiencies through improved reporting and the implementation of systems.

The primary role of the successful candidate will be to project manage two workstreams within the program both centred around the Finance team – (i) the re-design/transfer of certain processing activities to an external Fund Administrator (including the transition to a new system) and (ii) the integration of third party feeds/systems to improve data coverage across certain types of investment. The secondary role of the successful candidate will be to assist subject matter experts and business analysts with analysis activities within the program. This will encompass eliciting, evaluating, reconciling and documenting requirements.

Job Description: 

Project Management

• Drive the delivery of the aforementioned program workstreams to agreed time, quality and budget.
• Create and maintain detailed yet pragmatic plans. Provide frequent updates on progress, tailoring the messaging to the audience in question.
• Understand, communicate and regularly reassess major risks and issues associated with the delivery of a given workstream.
• Work with Finance management team to actively manage resourcing levels to ensure the appropriate balance between BAU and workstream activities.
• Matrix management of workstream teams. Cultivate a professional, motivated, delivery-focused and empowered culture.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish a strong working relationship with external Fund Administrator who operates in two geographies. Ensure agreed milestones are achieved in respect of the systems, process and team build out required to support transitioned activities. Monitor/improve their performance.
• Establish a strong working relationship with a third party software/data provider to ensure the seamless integration of their offering into the organisation. Work with external investment managers to establish engagement with the software.
• Liaise with other business analysts and other project managers to ensure any requirements being worked on are sufficiently well understood by all.
• Develop and maintain rapport with other key internal & external stakeholders.
• Operate a central point of contact for assigned workstreams.
• Represent assigned workstreams at the programme working group and, if required, the steering committee.

Business Analysis

• Develop an understanding of the business and, more specifically, the Finance tam.  
• Develop and execute a change management strategy that aids the internal Finance team and the external Fund Administrator in terms with new / updated ways of working.

Skills/Experience:
 
ESSENTIAL

• A project management/business analysis background with a successful track record of leading medium to large scale business change initiatives throughout their full lifecycle. It would be advantageous if this experience was gained whilst operating within a Finance team.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner qualified (active).
• Experience of effective matrix management of project teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills, coupled with a history of forging and maintaining close working relationships with members of the business community and third parties.
• Educated to degree level.
• Experience of working effectively with external service providers, improving and developing the service offered.

DESIRABLE

• A career history that includes Financial Services. Private Equity, Fund of Funds or Asset Management experience is advantageous.
• Experience of Sunguard’s Investran and/or Ipreo’s iLevel solution.
• An appreciation of the software engineering process, coupled with an understanding of common application architectures.

COMPETENCIES

• Enthusiastic and an energetic leader who builds highly motivated and performing teams; Gets the job done.
• Aptitude to create clear and achievable targets and then delegate and manage these tasks effectively.
• A strong team player with an accountable and proactive approach to work.
• Proven communication, influencing and problem solving skills.