Project Manager Interim NEW

Job Title: Project Manager – Finance Improvement

Location: West Midlands (Hybrid working: 1-2 days onsite)

Rate: £500-550/day (Inside IR35)

Start Date: ASAP

About the Role: We are seeking a highly skilled Project Manager to join a finance-related improvement programme. This initiative aims to elevate the standard of financial management to enhance financial resilience and sustainability. The focus will be on diagnosing systemic issues affecting financial effectiveness and implementing high-impact actions to achieve efficient, consistent, and standardised practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Management: Manage the end-to-end delivery of projects within established workstreams. Ensure projects are structured, progress is tracked, and deliverables are completed to the defined quality.
• Data Analysis: Interpret operational and financial data to identify trends, outliers, and areas for improvement. Conduct root cause analysis to design, test, and measure the impact of solutions.
• Evidence-Based Solutions: Develop and deliver evidence-based solutions, challenging the status quo and working collaboratively to define and implement improvements.
• Research and Benchmarking: Gather information from other authorities, create checklists, and assess gaps to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Modelling and Testing: Model options, test assumptions, and quantify productivity, time, and cost savings.
• Solution Design: Specify solutions through process mapping, policy, and procedure alignment.
• Performance Measurement: Define aspirations and metrics to report improvements and measure benefits.
• Facilitation and Communication: Effectively communicate with stakeholders to identify needs, evaluate solutions, and influence outcomes. Facilitate discussions to achieve project objectives.
• Managing Complexity: Handle complexity and ambiguity, constructively challenge, and balance multiple workstreams to achieve efficient outcomes.

Experience and Skills Required:

• Project Management Expertise: Proven experience in managing multiple workstreams/projects simultaneously at various stages through diagnostic and delivery phases. Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, evidenced by current qualifications.
• Transformation Environment: Thrive in a transformation environment with the flexibility to work across multiple disciplines and capabilities.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in standard MS tools, with over 5 years of experience as a Project Manager.
• Objective Approach: Ability to take an objective approach, challenge the status quo, and work collaboratively to define and deliver solutions.
• Data Handling: Experience in gathering, reviewing, and analysing data to identify vulnerabilities and convert findings into practical remedies.
• Local Government Experience: Experience working in local government, preferably within or with finance.
• Resilience: Ability to deal with challenging characters and resistance to change.

Why Join Us? This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a transformative programme that will significantly impact financial management practices. If you are a proactive, analytical, and resilient professional with a passion for driving change, we would love to hear from you.

Application Process: To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role.

Tagged as: PS - Change /Transformation Manager, PS - Interim, PS - Project Manager, PS - West Midlands