What this Job Entails:
The Optical Project & Program Management role is responsible for planning and coordinating all aspects of internal information, system-specific projects from initiation to delivery. Projects often involve network, server, or software implementation and upgrades, and PC deployment.
The role oversees work performed by IT staff and internal customers/partners by defining project requirements, performing feasibility and needs/impact assessments. The role develops detailed project plans and manages all implementation processes including resource allocation, progress tracking, monitoring change control process, testing, documentation, training and on-time delivery within budget constraints. Projects may vary in number, size and complexity.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Manages cross-functional and technical projects.
- Partner with functional teams during initiation, plan, design, procurement, deployment, and post deployment phases.
- Responsible for managing/tracking program milestones, timeline, and overall deliverables.
- Creates and maintains comprehensive project documentation including schedules, reviews, process documents, risk analysis, etc.
- Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility.
- Help to drive project lifecycle milestones from concept commit through project closure and advocate change management.
- Assist with using metrics and KPIs to measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques, and provide regular status updates.
- Help with internal process improvements; remove gaps, across multiple teams and functions.
- Ensure risks are accounted for and provide risk mitigation strategies.
- Be a point of contact for vendor partners and internal stakeholders.
- Coordinate and assist with regularly scheduled meetings with core teams.
- Assist with evaluation of post project results against metrics; recommend or implement changes to improve delivery practices/processes.
Required Qualifications/Skills:
- Bachelor's degree / Diploma and 5 - 10 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Infra/telco background is mandatory: dark fiber, telcos, DC providers, or network infrastructure projects.
- Real project management experience in infra delivery, vendor coordination, multi-track schedules, and external SLAs.
- Some DC or fiber exposure ie cross-connects, patch panels, Rack Layout and Occupancy Approval, vendor onsite work, etc.
- Vendor/provider management experience (not just internal IT).
- Basic understanding of fiber/optical workflows.
- Ability to work on multiple projects and assignments concurrently
- Self-starter who is able to quickly learn new tools and gain familiarity with new processes and technologies with minimal assistance
- Familiarity with creating spreadsheets, presentation material, and project/process documentation
- Strong observational and analytical skills, including: ability to collect, organize, analyze and disseminate significant amounts of information, strong attention to detail and accuracy, ability to track and report metrics, and manage risks
- Ability to collaborate with stakeholders and communicate project updates to client executives.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Various certifications
- Change management knowledge
- Familiarity with various project management methodologies
