Senior Project Manager (Customer Rewards Strategy)

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic Senior Project Manager to lead complex, high-impact initiatives within a Rewards Programme environment. This role is suited to a seasoned professional with strong leadership capability, advanced stakeholder management skills, and deep domain expertise in rewards programmes.

You will be responsible for driving large-scale, cross-functional projects from inception to delivery, ensuring alignment across business, technology, and operations. The ideal candidate brings a combination of project delivery excellence, rewards programme lifecycle experience, and strong leadership skills to influence outcomes in a dynamic environment.

This role is specifically for Cape Town-based candidates due to the hybrid work requirement.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead and manage one or more large, complex projects with medium to large teams
• Define and establish the overall project vision, governance structures, and delivery frameworks
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans with clear milestones and interdependencies
• Ensure delivery is on time, within budget, and aligned to scope
• Track progress and provide consolidated reporting to stakeholders and leadership

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Coordinate and facilitate workshops across stakeholders, delivery teams, and external vendors
• Align business, technology, compliance, and operational teams
• Manage external vendor engagement, contracting, and delivery timelines
• Provide regular updates and reporting to senior leadership

Risk, Governance & Planning

• Establish governance forums (steering committees, working groups, etc.)
• Manage risks, issues, and dependencies across all workstreams
• Maintain RAID logs with clear mitigation strategies
• Ensure compliance, risk alignment, and operational readiness

Change & Programme Enablement

• Drive change management initiatives to support adoption of new capabilities
• Establish communication plans and stakeholder engagement strategies
• Support rewards programme enhancements, including rule changes and partnerships
• Ensure alignment with overall Rewards Programme lifecycle management

Requirements & Qualifications

Must-Have Skills

• 8–10 years’ experience in Project Management with a strong delivery track record
• Proven experience delivering multiple complex, strategic Rewards projects
• Non-negotiable: Rewards Programme experience (models, rule changes, partnerships, lifecycle management)
• Strong knowledge of Agile project methodologies
• Experience working in complex, dynamic, and evolving environments
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities

Industry & Domain Knowledge

• Relevant Insurance industry experience
• Deep understanding of Rewards environments and programme structures

Essential Certifications

• PMP / PgMP / CAPM / PMI-ACP or PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner / SAFe Lean Portfolio Management

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Preferred Experience

• Exposure to Rewards Programmes and Data Analytics initiatives

Behavioural Competencies

• Stakeholder Management & Influencing
• Decision Making & Accountability
• Building Partnerships & Collaboration
• Customer Orientation
• Results-driven mindset
• Ability to manage conflict and obstacles
• Adaptability in ambiguous environments
• Strong independence and initiative
• Innovation and continuous improvement mindset

Key Deliverables

• End-to-end project plan with timelines and dependencies
• Workshop facilitation and documented outputs
• Weekly and monthly status reports (RAG status)
• Risk, issue, and dependency logs
• Consolidated delivery timelines across teams
• Change management and communication plans

Education

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field

Additional Information

• Contract role with possibility of renewal
• Salary: Market Related/ Negotiable
• Location: Cape Town (Hybrid – 3 days per week in office)
• Business Area: Goals, Rewards & Digital Channels
• Level: Senior
• Must be based in Cape Town

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