Job Specification: Project Manager / Change Manager – UKISSA
Role Title: Project Manager / Change Manager
Region: UKISSA (UK, Ireland, Sub‑Saharan Africa)
Reports To: Regional Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Primary Focus: Cost Containment, Financial Tracking, Procurement Oversight, Governance & Stakeholder Coordination
Role Overview
The Project Manager / Change Manager will lead the UKISSA project and change agenda, reporting directly to the Regional CFO. This role functions as a central governance point across business stakeholders, finance teams, and group reporting. A key part of the role is ensuring cost discipline, driving financial transparency, and maintaining control over procurement processes. The role will coordinate all internal calls, follow-ups, and reporting routines, ensuring strong execution discipline across markets and functions.
Key Responsibilities
1. Cost Management & Financial Tracking
* Lead regional cost‑containment initiatives with clear accountability to the CFO.
* Develop and maintain structured cost‑tracking models, dashboards, and variance analysis.
* Partner with regional finance, market finance leaders, and group reporting to validate data and ensure accuracy.
* Identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions, ensuring timely escalation and follow‑through.
1. Procurement Oversight
* Provide oversight, coordination, and challenge across the regional procurement function.
* Monitor procurement pipeline, supplier performance, PO approval governance, and tendering processes.
* Drive efficiency initiatives focused on reducing cost, improving compliance, and streamlining sourcing activities.
* Ensure procurement activity aligns with regional financial objectives and cost‑control expectations.
1. Project & Change Delivery
* Own delivery of the UKISSA change agenda, ensuring all project milestones and workstreams progress to plan.
* Maintain project plans, RAID logs, and governance frameworks across multiple stakeholder groups.
* Conduct change impact assessments and support markets through transition phases.
* Ensure project discipline, holding teams accountable for actions, risks, and dependencies.
1. Stakeholder Engagement & Cross‑Functional Coordination
* Act as the single point of coordination between business units, procurement, finance teams, regional leadership, and group reporting.
* Run standing meetings, steering forums, and internal calls with strong follow‑up governance.
* Foster productive relationships with functional leads to ensure alignment across all touchpoints.
1. Reporting & Business Communication
* Prepare consolidated reporting packs for the Regional CFO, business stakeholders, and Group Reporting.
* Produce weekly/monthly updates on performance KPIs, spend, project risks, and operational status.
* Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership.
* Ensure documentation is disciplined, audit‑ready, and aligned with internal standards.
1. Governance, Follow‑Up & Execution
* Drive a strong rhythm of accountability across teams, ensuring timely closure of actions and deliverables.
* Enhance governance routines to increase transparency, efficiency, and cross‑functional alignment.
* Support CFO‑level reviews with data, insights, and documented recommendations.
Skills & Experience
Essential
* Proven experience in project management and/or change management within a finance‑intensive environment.
* Strong financial acumen with hands‑on experience in cost‑control, budgeting, or financial tracking.
* Demonstrated experience working with procurement processes or cross‑functional commercial teams.
* Exceptional communication skills, capable of managing senior‑level audiences.
* Proficiency in Excel, financial modelling, reporting tools, and project management systems.
* Strong stakeholder management across matrixed organisations.
Desirable
* Experience across UK, Ireland, or Sub‑Saharan Africa markets.
* Exposure to group reporting, consolidation processes, or multinational governance structures.
* Project management or change management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, Prosci).
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