Project Manager - Core Banking Implementation and Management

Company Description

Procept Associates Professional Services Limited (Procept Africa) is a franchisee of Procept Associates Ltd, Canada.  We specialize in consulting, training, and software solutions, through a network of associates and partners, using best practice frameworks in Canada, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, DRC, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and now Cameroon.

Procept Africa is seeking a seasoned Project Manager in Kenya to lead and oversee Core Banking Implementation and Management Projects. This role is central to driving critical transformation initiatives for our clients in the banking sector, with a strong focus on enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring alignment with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

The ideal candidate will bring in-depth experience in core banking systems, strong project leadership capabilities, and a solid understanding of banking operations and technology integration. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing all phases of the project lifecycle—from planning and execution to delivery—ensuring successful outcomes that are on time, within scope, and on budget.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Full Project Lifecycle

• Manage all phases of the project lifecycle—initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure—ensuring successful delivery in line with defined objectives.

1. Project Governance

• Establish and manage project governance structures, including steering committees and executive sponsor engagement, to provide direction and oversight.

1. Scope Definition and Change Management

• Define clear project scope and deliverables. Implement and enforce a structured change control process to manage scope variations effectively.

1. Stakeholder Engagement and Management

• Identify, engage, and manage stakeholders to ensure their needs are met and expectations are aligned throughout the project lifecycle.

1. Team Leadership and Coordination

• Lead and coordinate cross-functional project teams. Foster collaboration and accountability across internal teams and external partners.

1. Resource Planning and Management

• Allocate, monitor, and optimize resources to support project goals. Address resource gaps and ensure effective utilization.

1. Budget Management and Financial Reporting

• Develop and manage project budgets. Track expenditures, identify variances, and provide regular financial reports to senior management.

1. Quality Assurance and Control

• Ensure that project deliverables meet established quality standards through systematic reviews, testing, and validation processes.

1. Vendor and Third-Party Management

• Coordinate with external vendors and service providers, ensuring alignment with project requirements, timelines, and contractual obligations.

1. Risk Management

• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks. Develop and implement risk response plans to reduce potential impact on project outcomes.

1. Project Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain thorough project documentation, including plans, progress reports, meeting notes, and closure reports, to ensure transparency and knowledge retention.

Qualifications

Requirements and skills

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Project Manager, successfully leading complex software implementation projects within the banking and financial services industry.
• Proven track record in the implementation, upgrade, and management of core banking systems, with a strong understanding of their technical and operational impacts.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to create and manage project plans, allocate resources effectively, and deliver results within established timelines and budgets.
• Strong business analysis skills, with experience in requirements gathering, stakeholder engagement, and translating business needs into actionable technical solutions.
• Deep knowledge of banking operations and financial products, including how they interface with core technology platforms and regulatory frameworks.
• In-depth understanding of the Kenyan banking sector, its regulations, and operational processes.
• Strong competency in project management tools including Microsoft Project, etc.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills to facilitate collaboration among multi-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to identify risks, analyze data, and make informed decisions.
• Project management certification is highly desirable especially in agile practices.