IT Project Lead II - Digital Platform

Job Overview

The IT Project Lead II (PL II) - Digital Platform enables the delivery of technology-enabled solutions that address complex business needs. The PL II is responsible for planning, leading and coordinating activities of Darden technology projects to ensure project goals and objectives are accomplished within budget and committed delivery date. The PL II works closely with internal stakeholders to define, and document detailed functional and system requirements and then leads project team to assess, configure, program, and create business solutions ensuring high-quality deliverables. The PL II operates within Darden's SDLC methodology and adheres to technical architecture standards. The PL II also proactively identifies potential problems and issues and actively communicates and manages issues to resolution.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Plan, lead and manage a portfolio of IT Business Solution projects to ensure goals and objectives of each project are accomplished within prescribed time frames and budgets.
• Work closely with and manage both internal Darden development teams and external integration partners to align project objectives, define discrete team deliverables, and ensure project milestones are achieved with high quality.
• Develop resources strategies, allocating staff, tools and specialized support as necessary to ensure commitments are met.
• Ensure appropriate and detailed project work plans are in place for all projects. Regularly review progress to ensure that projects are on schedule and within budget.
• Integrate project activities with other IT functions such as data security, network operations, etc. to ensure successful project implementation.
• Work closely with key stakeholders and other project team members to ensure that functional requirements and technical design specifications are prioritized, detailed and complete.
• Ensure technical designs are forward-looking to envision potential future requirements and business needs thus ensuring solutions are flexible and extensible.
• Adhere to Darden SDLC and technology architecture requirements. Contribute to architecture design principles and standards as appropriate.
• Proactively identify and communicate potential problems and issues to IT Leadership team members as appropriate. Proactively identify alternatives and recommend / implement solutions as appropriate.
• Ensure accurate project status and work estimates (ETCs) are routinely reported /communicated to in a timely fashion. Regularly review ETCs to identify problem areas and ensure issues are addressed effectively.
• Effectively communicate with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Ensure issues are analyzed, discussed and resolved in a timely manner. Identify risk mitigation steps and recommend actions to address project issues. Ensure risks and issues are managed to closure.
• Consistently enhance skills and job knowledge by researching new internet/intranet technologies and software products and trends; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
  
  

Required Technical Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in business process management and functional requirements analysis
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading projects with strong relationship management skills
• Experience and demonstrated competency in managing resources, tasks, contracts, scope, and budgets for large projects in the context of large, enterprise-wide technology initiatives
• Strong analytical and product management skills including a thorough understanding of how to interpret customer business needs and translate them into functional business requirements, application and operational requirements
• Experience leading technical solution design and developing detailed project plans including allocation/scheduling of tasks for project team members
• Experience and demonstrated competency with Microsoft Project and Visio
• Experience managing enterprise software implementation projects (both packaged software and custom-development projects)
• PMP Certifications
  
  

Required Education

• BS/BA in MIS, Computer Science, Business or Mathematics.
  
  

Other Key Qualifications

• Solid project management skills with ability to multitask and manage multiple small to large projects in a cross-functional environment while managing large teams
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate staff; ability to work in a team-oriented environment
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to adapt to changing priorities and/or projects
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with a diverse group of people at all levels of the organization
• Strong analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Proven ability to effectively prioritize and address multiple and simultaneous challenges
• Demonstrated preference for taking initiative and ownership of projects and key deliverables
• Demonstrated ability to learn and understand internal stakeholder's priorities, challenges, methods, and processes.
  
  

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Web user interface (UI) design
• Knowledge of restaurant business
• Knowledge of other retail business