Cluster Manager

Role Summary

The Cluster Manager is responsible for managing multiple projects or client specific projects from start to end. They are responsible for project planning, execution when needed, and finalisation according to strict timelines and within budget. This includes defining the projects objectives, acquiring resources, coordinating the efforts of team members in order to deliver projects according to plan, overseeing quality control throughout the project life cycle and communicating regularly with senior management. They will be focused on coaching and developing the team to complete and deliver tasks as scheduled.

Reporting and or Working Relationships

Will report to Head - Services

Will work closely with Project, Technical, QA and Presales teams based on project requirements

Work experience

• Over 8 years of progressive work experience out of which at least 4 years of experience managing IT projects
• Strong Project Management experience

Certification

• PMP, Agile, Scrum
• ITILV3

Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding of Software Development Life Cycle
• Ability to learn, understand and apply new concepts, solutions and technologies
• Knowledge of MS Office Applications
• Good analytical and reasoning skills
• Excellent communication - verbal and written
• Ability to lead, manage and motivate a team
• Planning and organising skills
• Strong Project Management skills
• Delegation
• Coaching and mentoring
• Capable of multi-tasking
• Critical thinking and strong problem solving skills

4. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Managing multiple Projects and Products

• Interface with existing / new customers on specifications and deliverables
• Coordinate with Presales, Project, Technical and QA teams on specifications and deliverables
• Project Initiation
• Define stakeholders
• Project kick off
• Project Planning
• Discuss with functional team on specifications, product road map and deliverables
• Prepare Project Plan defining Scope, Schedule, Cost and Quality
• Manage requirements, timelines and budget as per plan
• Prepare plan for QA
• Update pilot project status to management
• Monitor & Control
• Monitor scope, schedule, cost and quality
• Update project documents
• Review project status and assess project performance and progress
• Proactively manage changes if any in project scope, identify potential crises and devise contingency plans
• Update project plan
• Provide regular status update to all stakeholders
• Project Execution
• Allocate resources in co-ordination with the Technical Manager and execute the task
• Follow up on daily schedules / activities
• Define and collate project metrics
• Project Closure
• Release build to UAT
• Finally release build to the customer
• Configuration management - manage version controls
• Manage and lead the Project and QA teams
• Ensure team members adhere to the project management process
• Set objectives for the team, evaluate performance and provide timely feedback, guidance and support when needed
• Provide functional training to team members
• Support and enhance the best practices, processes and methodologies within the Services department and managing customer specific Projects
• Responsible for the day to day direct interface between customer and internal teams and for compliance on customer deliverables
• Interface with customers on requirements and provide end to end service (Level 1, 2, 3 based on customer requirements) as per SLA
• Manage incidents overseeing all incidents and user requests to ensure timely completion
• Proactively analyse trends in incidents to manage recurring issues
• Monitor and identify recurring or high priority problems, assist in identifying the root cause and develop a plan to address the root cause by provide appropriate functional solutions
• Discuss with technical team on specifications and deliverables
• Prepare Project Plan defining Scope, Schedule, Cost and Quality and seek customer approval
• Manage requirements, timelines and budget as per plan
• Prepare plan for QA
• Monitor scope, schedule, cost and quality
• Update project documents
• Review project status and assess project performance and progress
• Proactively manage changes if any in project scope, identify potential crises and devise contingency plans
• Update project plan
• Provide regular status update to all stakeholders on project and SLAs
• Follow up on daily schedules / activities
• Define and collate project metrics
• Release build to UAT
• Finally release build to the customer
• Participate in weekly status calls with customer
• Escalate issues as appropriate
• Manage and lead the QA team
• Ensure the team is trained on product updates
• Project Management Phases/Process/CR handling using Scrum or any SDLC model/Incident management-