Program Manager

Role Purpose

• The Program Manager is responsible for leading the end‑to‑end delivery of complex, cross‑functional programmes within Lesaka’s BPMO.
• This role ensures that all programme outcomes are aligned to organisational strategy, robust governance, and measurable business and customer value - while building and sustaining a high‑performing project management capability.
• The role carries accountability for programme execution, benefits realisation, governance discipline, risk management, and people leadership across multiple concurrent initiatives.

Primary Focus

• To plan, govern, and deliver multi‑workstream programmes that realise approved business cases, manage interdependencies across teams and entities, and embed disciplined portfolio delivery standards across the organisation.

Key Responsibility Areas & Associated Tasks

Programme Delivery Excellence

• Lead full lifecycle programme delivery from initiation through closure
• Develop and maintain integrated programme plans covering scope, timelines, resources, risks, and dependencies
• Coordinate delivery across multiple concurrent project workstreams
• Manage scope change through formal change‑control processes
• Ensure alignment between Agile sprint execution and BPMO milestone governance

Governance & Control Frameworks

• Establish and operate programme governance structures (SteerCos, working groups, escalation pathways)
• Produce accurate, timely programme status reports and executive steering packs
• Manage stage‑gate reviews and ensure audit‑ready documentation throughout delivery
• Ensure adherence to BPMO standards, policies, and quality controls

Risk, Dependency & RAID Management

• Maintain a live programme‑level RAID log (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies)
• Proactively identify and resolve cross‑entity dependencies
• Facilitate regular risk reviews and escalate material risks with mitigation plans
• Ensure no surprise escalations through disciplined risk management

Stakeholder Alignment & Engagement

• Engage and manage senior stakeholders across business units, technology, and delivery partners
• Prepare and present programme updates and decision papers to Executive and Exco forums
• Facilitate programme workshops, working sessions, and cross‑functional forums
• Partner with Change Leads to align delivery, communication, and adoption plans

Business Value & Benefits Realisation

• Maintain programme benefits registers aligned to approved business cases
• Track benefits realisation across stage‑gates and post‑implementation
• Identify benefits at risk and implement corrective actions
• Conduct post‑implementation benefits reviews

Standards & Continuous Improvement

• Apply BPMO standards consistently across all programme artefacts
• Conduct post‑implementation reviews and embed lessons learned
• Contribute to PM Academy initiatives and communities of practice
• Recommend improvements to tools, templates, and governance processes

People Leadership & Capability Development

• Coach Project Managers on delivery, governance, and stakeholder management
• Manage team capacity planning and escalate constraints proactively
• Drive performance, engagement, and professional development

Key Competencies Required

• Strong programme planning and structuring capability
• Results‑driven execution focus
• Decisive decision‑making and problem‑solving
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Persuasive stakeholder influence
• Strong organisational and political sensitivity
• High accountability and delivery discipline

Experience & Qualifications

Minimum Experience

• 8+ years’ experience leading complex, cross‑functional programmes
• Proven end‑to‑end programme delivery in complex organisational environments
• Experience managing cross‑entity dependencies and governance structures
• Strong financial, budget, and forecasting management experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field
• PgMP, PMP, MSP, or PRINCE2 Practitioner certification
• Agile delivery framework certification
• Master’s degree (MBA or Project Management) advantageous

Closing Date 06 November 2026