Capability Delivery Manager (Transition/Change/Testing) vacancy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (119jc)

My client, who is a major telecoms company and training provider, are now seeking a Capability Delivery Manager (Transition/Change/Testing) for their operations in Saudi Arabia, you will be reporting to the TI Head of Training.

Your primary objectives and functions will consist of The Training Transformation programme, which is part of a wider telecoms delivery programme to the Saudi Arabian National Guard, is designed to enhance technical training through the provision of training infrastructure and Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) in order to ultimately, support the SANG Signals Corps (Signal Corps) in achieving their responsibilities as part of the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The SANGTELS Programme is a complex delivery with multiple streams and a myriad of stakeholders and suppliers. To ensure effective delivery to meet the customer needs the staggered capability delivery approach is in-use providing the customer valued solutions throughout the delivery. This needs to be managed tightly and coordinated effectively to ensure success.

The Primary Objectives of the Capability Delivery Manager (CDM) (Transition / Change / Testing) are:
• To manage the transition of project capabilities into service through a tightly controlled acceptance process which embraces all delivery components of the project. At acceptance, to stage manage the ‘acceptance performance’ such the customer’s expectations are exceeded and the full value of the deliverables are realised;
• To interface directly with the MOD Staff in Kingdom and the SANG Signal Corps Officers and Soldiers for each capability delivery in order that the full capability is delivered together and can then be effectively transitioned in to service;
• For the programme to be a success requires extremely tight change management to avoid scope creep and to ensure delivery to time, cost and quality. This is the responsibility of this CDM to manage change across all elements of the programme, keeping the schedule updated and the corresponding requirements and contractual documents aligned to agreed changes;
• To manage the testing process, especially for the delivery of digital learning courseware. This requires an agile and meticulous mind to ensure that all components that are to be transitioned into service are comprehensively tested to ensure that they meet the requirement definition and most importantly, support the needs of the SANG students undergoing training.

Therefore a summary of role duties, Responsibilities and requirments:

The CDM (Transition / Change / Testing) is the primary interface to the customer (UK MOD and SANG) for all Training Transformation TEL Transition, Change Management and Digital Courseware Testing activities, and is ultimately responsible for the acceptance of all programme elements through the Capability Delivery process against an exacting programme at minimal risk to the Company. The role of the CDM (Transition / Change / Testing) has the following primary requirements and responsibilities:

• Experience/Knowledge. Considerable experience in project management, including software testing activities, coupled with extensive experience and background in the deployment and operation of, preferably military, fixed and deployable communication networks and systems.
• Staff Duties. To have Conducted ‘staff’ type duties in which formal strategy and requirements documents have been produced in order to drive forward requirements.
• Customer Relationships. Foster and maintain a Close working relationships with the customer (SANG/MOD) based on trust, adaptability, credibility and reliability. Must have proven consultancy experience working within a military environment.
• Planning. Creating and maintaining accurate schedules, reporting on progress and status, and securing appropriate resources required to meet targets and other milestones. Effective use of MS Project, MS Excel and PowerPoint underpins this activity and therefore the incumbent must be a master of each application (especially PowerPoint in order to communicate the messages effectively through ‘Storytelling’).
• Marketing. To have a flair for ‘performance’ and a bias towards marketing in order to realize the customer value and leave the customer wanting more…..
• Resource Management. Closely work with the assigned sub-contractor and the project delivery team to ensure that appropriate resources are assigned to task and deliver as per schedule. Ensure efficient use of Company and sub-contractor resources to deliver continuous and high levels of Customer satisfaction.
• Reporting. Collate, present and issue progress reports for the capability delivery, testing and change management in line with the agree programme templates, managing and reporting on risk and issue management, with a solution oriented mind-set. Effective use of MS PowerPoint is essential here in order to conduct visual management and targeted communication
• Administration. Ensuring the capability delivery, testing and change management administration is of high quality, accurate and up to date and in accordance with governance processes and procedures in place within the programme.
• Team Player. The programme environment is one of intensity and velocity which can manifest anxiety and stress. The CDM (Transition / Change / Testing) must be capable of working in such an environment as a positive contributor to the team dynamic, providing support and assistance to team members, with the ultimate goal of delivering as One Team thus enjoying shared success !

Contact with Others (Internally / Externally / Meetings):

The CDM (Transition / Change / Testing) is an important representational role for the company. The post-holder will be expected to manage effective business relationships through a consultancy approach in order to ensure capability acceptance, with a wide stakeholder group including:

• Internal: Regular contact, as defined and required:
a) National Guard Signal School company Staff and Instructors;
b) Internal Project and Delivery Staff;
c) Internal Operations and Maintenance Staff;
d) Internal Engineering and IT Staff.

• External: Regular contact, as defined and required, with:
National Guard Signal School SANG Staff;
a) National Guard Headquarters Senior Officers;
b) Sub-contractors;
c) SANGCOM MoD Training Transformation Portfolio Team;
d) Wider SANGCOM portfolio teams and support staff;

• Meetings:
a) To lead or contribute to formal meetings, correspondence reports and minutes;
b) To lead and manage the capability delivery process in accordance with the baselined programme;
c) To lead workshops related to the capability delivery, testing and change management activities in order to develop appropriate solutions (Note: Overseas travel will be required).

For this role you will have the following judgement and decision making authority
• Will have an informed decision making responsibility for TEL issues on behalf of the TEL Programme;
• To assist and collaborate with other members of the company as a fully co-operative team member;
• To maintain an efficient filing system and prioritisation of work;
• To be pro-active both in developing own knowledge and skills, and in developing required outputs;
• Commensurate with the above duties and responsibilities and as directed/delegated by the Head of Training Transformation.

To be eligible for this role, you will need the following qualifications, knowledge and experience:

• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or equivalent;
• PMI or PRINCE 2.
• Considerable and proven experience in project delivery, but with a project marketing mind-set in order to realize customer value.
• Conducted ‘staff’ type duties in which formal strategy and requirements documents have been produced in order to drive forward opportunities.
• Experience in the management of software development and testing and a full understanding of the rigor involved in this demanding activity.
• Minimum of 8-10 years’ experience delivering projects to the MoD ideally within a training environment.
• Experience and understanding of delivering and using Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) as part of a blended learning approach to training, including use of Learning Management Systems (LMS);
• Knowledge and Experience of fixed and deployable telecommunications systems, preferably based within a military environment.
• Proven track record of delivering successful and complex IT projects.
• Managing people skills particularly within a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to work to tight deadlines in a multi-national, multi-functional team
• Excellent presentation, written and oral communication skills
• Extensive Customer relationship management.
• High standard of written and spoken English.
• Highly competent in the use of Microsoft Project and the wider Microsoft Office Suite.

As this role is based in Saudi Arabia, candidates must meet all of the minimum qualifications as they are not bound by UK or EU Laws, also only individuals up to the age of 55 will be considered for any of these roles.

In return they are offering an excellent salary and benefits package for accompanied or unaccompanied personnel and of course the benefits package will be UK Tax Free, however due to the nature of this role, it is only open to UK Nationals only.