Project Lead

Job Overview

The Project Lead is a critical role responsible for ensuring the successful planning, execution, and completion of projects while effectively managing relationships with all stakeholders involved. The Lead plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of Reach Digital Health's mission by building and maintaining strong relationships with diverse stakeholders. This includes beneficiaries, community leaders, government agencies, donors and partner organisations. The Lead will develop and implement strategies to engage stakeholders in meaningful ways, fostering collaboration, trust, and shared ownership of initiatives.

Key Focus Areas

Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate strong relationships with partners and funders and support the partnerships and growth team in securing new partnerships and expanding existing projects.

Project Management: In collaboration with project managers, support the development of comprehensive project plans, including timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and risk assessments.

Team Management: Lead the project team in collaboration with the Head of Projects, coordinating tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring adherence to timelines and budgets.

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan aligned with Reach's strategic goals.

• Identify and map key stakeholders, understanding their interests, needs, and expectations.

• Representation on behalf of Reach alongside key stakeholders within Consortiums, Technical Working Groups, Steering Committee’s etc.

• Alongside the Head of Projects, build and nurture relationships with key senior stakeholders, fostering open communication and trust.

• Identify and cultivate potential partnerships with other organisations to enhance Reach's impact.

• Alongside the Head of Projects, manage and evaluate existing partnerships to ensure they are mutually beneficial and aligned with Reach’s goals.

• Support the Project Managers in their current stakeholder engagement.

• Effectively communicate complex operational, technical and strategic issues to audiences both inside and outside the company.

• Provide input to future proposals and growth proposals.

• Cross country (African Region) collaboration and support of Project Managers.

Project Management:

• Oversee and manage a portfolio of projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

• Prioritise projects and allocate resources effectively.

• Track and report on portfolio performance, identifying risks and opportunities.

• Lead and mentor project managers, providing guidance and support.

• Ensure project teams adhere to project management methodologies and best practices.

• Resolve escalated issues and conflicts within project teams.

• Implement project management methodologies, tools, and templates.

• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Oversee projects to ensure they are managed in a financially prudent manner in order to ensure the sustainability of our business, as well as ensuring value for our partners / funders and end users.

• Identify if any of the projects in your portfolio are heading in the wrong direction, and proactively work with senior management and the project team to get the project back on track.

• Identify cost-saving opportunities and optimise resource utilisation.

• Work with the Delivery Operations team to ensure that projects are delivered according to schedule and that hours are tracked in line with project budgets

• Work with the Head of Projects and Head of Delivery Operations to ensure teams are fully recovered by being scheduled on project work

Team Management:

• Oversee and manage a portfolio of projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

• Provide input into business development proposals that will help drive the strategy of the project or group of projects forward;

• Train and coach project managers and team members on project management best practices.

• Suggest and implement improvements to current ways of working / processes (or gaps in the processes) that are relevant to the current and future success of your portfolio and Reach as a whole.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project alignment with organisational goals.

• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and presentations to inform and engage stakeholders.

• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and emerging technologies relevant to project management.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration, engineering, project management, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

• Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification preferred.

Skills and Experience Required

• Significant experience of managing engagement with one or more of the stakeholder cohort referred to above within the public / private healthcare sector.
• 7+ years of experience in project management, with a proven track record of delivering successful projects and working within the public / private healthcare sector.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficient in project management software and tools.
• Strong Financial Management Skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and a commitment to excellence.
• Hybrid working model with some travel expected and in office meeting engagement.