Senior Project Manager

<div class="content-intro"><h3><strong>Who We Are</strong></h3> <p>VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a <strong>Human First</strong> philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore. </p> <p>VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel. </p> <p>For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.vml.com/" data-outlook-id="d4b7d1c3-8ad6-4b6d-ab45-d3cb5a3aebe1">www.vml.com </a>and follow along on <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__urldefense.com_v3_-5F-5Fhttps-3A_www.linkedin.com_company_vml_-5F-5F-3B-21-21JboVxjCXSME-21OhlpCfbkl1UcWPwns1-2DGtvHOzFh0QwHV49fsPgGw-2DVCCU1bCg8aQFI9vN-2Dy-2DVwaQcITH2j2XKzGKBIFRLYf2AUWVYY1dFGK6-24&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=zouFnm4jZMgDFaYF1uVcRY3rbgHWPca_luUrBUkT6Yc&m=QzcCgXCAOjzj5hiU48_CKOdHRSJ4_YpuqfviT9yjlzH5VrkzySTZ-WaQXlYAnj4W&s=jJ7q5V70u9oUx7ONPm5jC3IK8y6vxDilX6BGTlqlWlA&e=" data-outlook-id="a3ef68bf-16fb-4ebc-9ca9-406007d6cefc">LinkedIn</a> #WeAreVML.</p></div><h3></h3> <h3><strong>Project Manager with Commerce experience and a technical background required to join our eCommerce Team in South Africa.</strong></h3> <h3>The opportunity</h3> <p>We look for an experienced Project Manager who leads teams to deliver high-quality, complex projects on budget and within a specified timeframe to achieve the potential benefits defined in the business case. You will work closely with the Programme Manager/Account Director to achieve productivity goals and contribute to the organisation’s overall success.</p> <h3>What you’ll be doing</h3> <ul> <li>Effectively run complex projects using Agile or Waterfall methodologies</li> <li>Support the efficient flow of work by providing solutions to issues and blockers</li> <li>Produce accurate status reporting regarding project milestones, deliverables, risks, and issues, communicating to various audiences including key stakeholders and sponsors</li> <li>Manage several workstreams successfully, ensuring the teams understand what is expected of them in terms of output and quality</li> <li>Manage the interdependencies between the various workstreams</li> <li>Inspire and lead teams with little Agile experience, suggesting process and practical improvements as appropriate</li> <li>Motivate teams to achieve individual and team objectives, to deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timeframes</li> <li>Focus on improving delivery processes</li> <li>Provide support to Junior Project Managers within your account</li> <li>Review and update the project resource plan on a regular basis, keeping tight control of project budgets</li> <li>Foster close relationships with senior management and business stakeholders, and be seen as a credible, reliable expert</li> <li>Develop customer confidence by understanding their needs and delivering first-class solutions</li> <li>Set and manage client expectations, including resolving client escalations with diplomacy</li> <li>Chair meetings/reviews with multiple stakeholder requirements</li> <li>Keep up to date with emerging industry practices</li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3>What we want from you</h3> <ul> <li>Proven software development Project Management experience</li> <li>eCommerce experience, ideally within a retail environment</li> <li>A good understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and release management</li> <li>Ability to define, manage, and deliver to customer expectations within strict deadlines</li> <li>Ability to deal with ambiguity, embrace and react to change with enthusiasm and critical thinking</li> <li>Experience leading and managing teams at different stages of the team’s lifecycle</li> <li>Experience with modern software development practices</li> <li>Strong understanding of agile delivery techniques and lean ways of working</li> <li>Experience managing people and financial budgets (including project budgeting, monitoring financials, reporting, etc.)</li> <li>Proficient with Microsoft Office Packages, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint</li> <li>Solid time management & organisational skills</li> <li>Excellent negotiation skills and an ability to handle sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy</li> <li>Relevant Project Management qualifications</li> <li>Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English</li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3>If you know some of this, even better</h3> <ul> <li>BA/BS degree with a major in information management, marketing, communications, business, or other closely related areas is an advantage</li> </ul> <h3> </h3> <h3>What we can offer you</h3> <p>Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we’ll also prio