Senior Project Manager

Xero is a beautiful, easy-to-use platform that helps small businesses and their accounting and bookkeeping advisors grow and thrive. 

At Xero, our purpose is to make life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world. This purpose sits at the centre of everything we do. We support our people to do the best work of their lives so that they can help small businesses succeed through better tools, information and connections. Because when they succeed they make a difference, and when millions of small businesses are making a difference, the world is a more beautiful place.

About the Team

The Programs and Delivery group exists to make sure that the people, processes, and priorities are in place to help Xero to operate as a world-class business and to lead the transformation of Xero into a modern delivery organisation. 

The global projects team deliver projects and engage with teams across all organisations, including technology, PX , Product and Customer. The team is made up of cross functional experts in Project Coordinator, Manager and Senior Project Manager roles. The projects team works closely with Programme leads, delivery coaches, and GMs throughout the business to amplify Xero’s ability to execute on the right outcomes. 

We deploy the best Portfolio, Programme, Project and Delivery practices to help teams deepen their customer intimacy and accelerate the delivery of value and ensure we have all of the practices in place to effectively prioritise, plan and monitor the execution of our strategic objectives - all the while enjoying a fun and dynamic team environment.

About the role

The Senior Project Manager role is to lead our strategic projects of work from concept through to operational handover. Rapid project start up, world class delivery, and robust operational management are critical to ensuring we meet our objectives. You will be responsible for the planning, scoping, and scheduling of activities to complete projects to a high standard, whilst ensuring innovation and speed to market are maintained. Methodologies, frameworks and processes used to aid delivery will be selected and applied fit for purpose, therefore it is expected you have knowledge and understanding of various methods and approaches and continually seek to improve our ways of working. In the senior role, you are expected to provide coaching and development for more junior members of the Projects team, and lead by example.

You’ll be required to work across various business units, functional areas, and technical and non-technical initiatives, therefore a broad experience base to draw on is critical. Above all you will be extremely confident driving change within the organisation, must be personable, have a can-do attitude, be able to work with people right across our organisation, and live the Xero values in the role.

• Lead the planning, implementation, and delivery of projects on time, on budget and to the desired quality and scope.
• Facilitate the definition of scope, goals, and deliverables.
• Develop fit for purpose project management plans and approaches (including agile, iterative and waterfall).Work alongside the Project Leads, to assemble project teams from internal and external resource pools as required.
• Report on the progress of projects including risks and issues/problems and solutions at regular intervals.
• Contribute to the growth and improvement of the project teams and colleagues.
• Embrace and champion the project(s) assigned and drive the delivery of change to a high standard.
• Be able to manage concurrent pieces of work and prioritise the effort on each according to organisational priorities in discussion with the GM Projects/Project Leads
• Establish and maintain strong communications with all teams at Xero.
• Maintain a balanced perspective by building relationships and interacting with relevant internal and external stakeholders. Work across the spectrum of project delivery activity from coordination to management, owning the outcome.
• Work closely with stakeholders to transition project deliverables into BAU.
• Develop repeatable processes where practicable to increase efficiency in project delivery.
• Clear and concise escalation of any complex risks or issues.

• 6 years demonstrated experience leading and delivering multiple projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects with budgets in excess of $2M.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects with project teams in excess of 20 FTEProject management certification is an advantage (PMI, PRINCE 2, AgilePM or similar).Relevant infrastructure, data and application development, business process, business change or GTM subject matter expertise / demonstrated experience.
• Agile/iterative and waterfall approaches.
• Web/online/cloud/SaaS experience.
• Understanding of business processes, structures and organisations.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple stakeholders and delivery teams.
• Demonstrated vendor management.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Experience working with senior leaders, demonstrated experience preparing / reporting to C level.

Why Xero? 

At Xero we support many types of flexible working arrangements that allow you to balance your work, your life and your passions. We offer a great remuneration package including shares plus a range of leave options to suit your well-being. Our work environment encourages continuous improvement and career development and you’ll get to work with the latest technology.   

Our collaborative and inclusive culture is one we’re immensely proud of. We know that a diverse workforce is a strength that enables businesses, including ours, to better understand and serve customers, attract top talent and innovate successfully. We are a member of Pride in Diversity, in recognition of our inclusive workplace. Our goal is to make sure you feel welcome and supported to do the best work of your life. 

At Xero we embrace diversity and inclusion and value a #challenge mindset. Research has shown that women and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single competency or experience . If you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be just the right person for this role and Xero. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application and throughout the interview process.

Salary : $2 - $0