IT Project Manager (Japanese Speaking)

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced IT Project Manager (Japanese Speaking) to support the delivery of strategic technology initiatives within the banking sector. The successful candidate will work closely with business stakeholders, project teams, infrastructure teams, vendors, and regional/global counterparts to ensure projects are delivered successfully within scope, timeline, and budget.

This role requires strong project coordination, stakeholder management, risk management, and communication skills, along with the ability to liaise effectively with Japanese-speaking stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery Support

• Manage and support project delivery activities from initiation through to closure.

• Develop, maintain, and track project plans, schedules, milestones, and resource allocations.

• Ensure project deliverables meet business requirements, quality standards, budget, and timeline expectations.

• Prepare Steering Committee (SteCo) presentation materials and meeting documentation.

• Review meeting minutes and ensure follow-up actions are tracked to closure.

• Monitor project progress and provide regular status updates to stakeholders.

Project Governance & Methodology

• Ensure adherence to project governance frameworks, delivery methodologies, and control processes.

• Identify, assess, and manage project risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies.

• Develop mitigation and contingency plans to address project challenges.

• Work closely with the Bank's Project Manager to align overall project plans across platform, infrastructure, system delivery, and release management teams.

• Ensure project deliverables are clearly defined, communicated, and understood by all stakeholders.

• Maintain project issue and risk registers, ensuring timely resolution and escalation when necessary.

• Provide accurate reporting on project progress, risks, issues, and dependencies.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including Bank Project Managers, Head Office teams, regional IT teams, vendors, and business users.

• Coordinate with Japanese-speaking stakeholders to facilitate project discussions, requirement clarification, and status reporting.

• Foster strong collaboration, transparency, accountability, and alignment across cross-functional teams.

• Escalate critical issues and concerns appropriately to ensure project success.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support other project-related activities assigned by the Project Manager.

• Participate in project planning, workshops, governance meetings, and operational discussions.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within project delivery processes.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in IT Project Management, Project Coordination, or Technology Delivery.

• Experience supporting technology projects within the Banking or Financial Services industry is highly preferred.

• Experience working in regional or multinational project environments will be advantageous.

Technical & Functional Skills

• Strong understanding of project management methodologies and governance frameworks.

• Experience managing project schedules, risks, issues, dependencies, and stakeholder communications.

• Strong knowledge of system implementation, infrastructure, and technology delivery lifecycles.

• Proficiency in project reporting and presentation preparation for senior management and steering committees.

• Familiarity with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, JIRA, Confluence, or equivalent.

Language Requirements

• Proficiency in spoken and written Japanese is mandatory to communicate effectively with Japanese-speaking stakeholders and Head Office teams.

• Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal.