ICT PROJECT MANAGER

The UNIVERSITY OF THE COMMONWEALTH CARIBBEAN invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the position of:

Director of Information Systems, Technology, and Innovation 

JOB SUMMARY:   

The ICT Project Manager will oversee all university ICT-related projects, ensuring successful delivery of initiatives that support academic excellence, operational efficiency, and digital transformation across all campuses. The position requires a results-driven individual who can coordinate cross-functional teams, manage vendors, and ensure that all ICT projects are aligned with the university’s strategic objectives, technology roadmap, and governance standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Planning and Execution

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of ICT projects including Learning Management System (LMS) upgrades (e.g., Moodle), Student Information System (SIS) enhancements, ERP deployments, and campus infrastructure upgrades, ensuring alignment with strategic and operational goals.
• Develop detailed and comprehensive project charters, work breakdown structures, risk logs, budget and implementation timelines.
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and success criteria in collaboration with the IS&T Manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Deans, Heads of Departments, Campus Managers, and administrative units to ensure each project meets academic and operational requirements.
• Coordinate software development and customization of internal systems such as online admissions portals, feedback systems, and staff dashboards.
• Ensure compliance with data protection standards and ICT governance policies throughout each project’s lifecycle.
• Manage all phases of the project lifecycle, from concept and design to testing, implementation, and post-implementation review.

Coordination and Stakeholder Management

• Act as liaison between the IS&T Department, academic units, administrative offices, and external vendors or consultants to ensure smooth execution of ICT initiatives.
• Prepare and deliver project status reports, presentations, and progress dashboards for the IS&T Manager, Senior Director-ICT and Executive Leadership Team.
• Facilitate project steering committee meetings, workshops to ensure stakeholder engagement and clear communication of project objectives.
• Facilitate meetings to ensure timely escalation of issues requiring management input.
• Promote stakeholder awareness and user adoption of implemented systems through structured training and communication plans.
• Ensure all project documentation is maintained and archived according to organizational standards.

Monitoring and Quality Assurance

• Track project progress against milestones and deliverables using project management tools and maintain project documentation and performance reports.
• Conduct regular reviews to ensure deliverables meet scope, timeline, and quality expectations.
• Identify potential risks, prepare mitigation strategies, and manage project change requests.
• Monitor vendor performance, ensuring adherence to SLAs and contractual terms.
• Ensure and supervise system testing, quality assurance testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT), and system validation before go-live phases .

Financial and Resource Management

• Assist the IS&T Manager in developing and managing project budgets, ensuring adherence to approved financial allocations, ensuring optimal use of resources.
• Track expenditures and ensure alignment with approved financial plans.
• Manage procurement activities and verify vendor compliance with contract terms and SLAs.
• Identify resource gaps and collaborate with the IS&T Manager to allocate appropriate staffing or contractors.
• Collaborate with Finance and Procurement departments to ensure timely delivery of ICT equipment, licenses, and software solutions.

Strategic and Continuous Improvement

• Support the Senior Director – ICT  in developing the University’s ICT Strategic Plan, digital transformation initiatives, and technology roadmap.
• Drive modernization of key systems including networking infrastructure, smart classroom technology, cloud-based platforms, and cybersecurity improvements.
• Conduct post-implementation reviews, document lessons learned from completed projects and maintain a university ICT Project Knowledge Repository.
• Recommend process improvements, automation, and technology adoption to enhance institutional efficiency.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or related field;
• Master’s Degree in Project Management, Information Systems (preferred).
• Certification in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2, Agile, or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in ICT Project Management, preferably within a university, government, or corporate ICT environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading digital transformation or ICT modernization initiatives.
• Experience managing system integrations, ERP implementations, ICT infrastructure upgrades, vendor contracts, or digital transformation projects in an academic context.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of enterprise ICT infrastructure including but not limited to networks, servers, cybersecurity, virtualization and cloud systems.
• Experience managing software development, web applications, ERP implementation projects and other higher-education platforms.
• Proficiency in project management software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello, or Jira.
• Familiarity with ICT standards and frameworks including but not limited to ITIL, Agile, COBIT, ISO 27001 or PMP methodologies.
• Understanding of Jamaica Data Protection Act compliance, cybersecurity standards, and ICT governance frameworks.
• Working knowledge of database systems (MySQL, SQL Server), web applications, and system integrations.

Project Management Skills

• Excellent planning, organizational, time management, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities across different campuses.
• Excellent risk management and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven experience in managing vendors, contractors, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Capacity to align project outcomes with academic and administrative goals.

Interpersonal and Leadership Competencies

• Strong leadership, coordination and communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to lead with influence, manage cross-departmental priorities, and maintain professional relationships across university hierarchies.
• Excellent negotiation and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated capacity for decision-making, conflict resolution, and team motivation.
• Commitment to service excellence, innovation, and professional integrity.

CORE VALUES

• Integrity and accountability in ICT operations and project execution.
• Innovation and continuous improvement.
• Collaboration and respect for diversity.
• Inclusiveness across all campuses.
• Commitment to service excellence and operational efficiency.
• Commitment to operational efficiency, student success, and academic excellence.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted