Experienced IT Program Manager

Timeframe: Immediate Placement

A large enterprise client of Acru Consulting, that provides worldwide, leading edge gaming software is looking for an experienced and dynamic online systems problem solver to drive challenging inter-disciplinary initiatives to successful launch. Someone who can help achieve success on one or more large multi-component product and/or service launches, where the work and accountabilities are complex, distributed and sometimes even in conflict with each other. 

The right candidate has a wide range of experience delivering and launching online applications in various domains and technologies such as large scale web applications, highly transactional finance or eCommerce systems, multi-vendor systems integrations and in-sourced/outsourced deliveries.

The work is fast paced and demanding. Someone who needs locked requirements, significant documentation or encapsulated development isolation/accountability to achieve results will not be successful in this role. Clipboard Project Managers need not apply!

We need someone who ramps fast, can apply lessons learned from previous launches and domains, build credibility with distributed stakeholders, put a clear framework around a fuzzy bundle of related activities, react quickly to change, and drive to completion without mandated authority or direct control of many of the resources involved.

Role

• Ramp quickly on cross-disciplinary project objectives, technologies and launch requirements
• Ability to synthesize complex requirements into critical path Able to define “Road to Launch” plans that consider marketing/communications, development, deployment, configuration, validation, operations and support as a holistic approach
• Project planning, tracking and control for development, testing, deployment
• Tracking and reporting progress (and blockers) across multiple related efforts delivered by different groups (creating a ‘plan of plans’, aggregated status reports, holistic roadmap to delivery or launch)
• Coordinate internal teams and vendors to deliver on project schedules, drive quick triage and resolution of blockers
• Work with Dev and QA to define UAT plan, set up appropriate environments, perform functional testing, load testing and performance testing
• Work with distributed stakeholders to resolve conflicts, whether by clarifying requirements or designs, proposing new staffing or delivery approaches, or facilitating escalations and objective assessments by external parties
• Some US travel required

Aptitudes

• Outstanding problem solving skills
• Rock solid communication, both written and verbal
• Ability to translate projects and cross-project activities into clear paths (critical path maps, Road to Launch plans, flow diagrams, deployment/testing/validation sequences)
• Creates clear picture of the situation and the road to success, accessible by broad audiences (Visio diagrams, Power point presentations, dependency maps, launch timelines)
• Can step in to new situations, learn the lay of the land, and quickly start adding value
• Able to remain flexible while focusing on the details and keeping the big picture in mind
• Strong understanding of the technical aspects of online applications, web development, commerce applications, development frameworks and toolsets
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Very organized, able to manage multiple items concurrently
• Outstanding planning and problem solving skills
• Ability to react quickly and calmly to changes and obstacles