IT Application Project Manager

Senior Project Manager – Enterprise Applications Implementation and Delivery Contract – 12 months and subject for extensions Brampton, ON Buchanan Technologies (www.buchanan.com) is hiring an experienced Senior Project Manager for client assignment , to lead complex enterprise application implementation projects from initiation through deployment and stabilization. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record managing application implementation programs, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring successful delivery of business and technology outcomes. This role will partner closely with business stakeholders, technology teams, vendors, and executive leadership to drive project success while maintaining scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk management standards. Experience with Workforce Management (WFM) solutions and PeopleSoft applications is highly desirable and considered a strong asset. Key Responsibilities Project Leadership & Delivery - Lead end-to-end implementation of enterprise applications, ensuring alignment with business objectives and strategic priorities. - Manage multiple concurrent projects and workstreams with varying levels of complexity and organizational impact. - Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, schedules, budgets, resource plans, and status reports. - Drive project governance processes, including steering committee meetings, executive reporting, and decision-making forums. - Ensure successful execution of project deliverables through effective planning, monitoring, and control mechanisms. Stakeholder Management - Serve as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders, business leaders, technology teams, vendors, and implementation partners. - Facilitate workshops, requirements sessions, status meetings, and executive presentations. - Build strong relationships across functional teams to drive alignment, issue resolution, and organizational adoption. - Manage stakeholder expectations and proactively communicate project risks, issues, dependencies, and milestones. Risk, Issue & Change Management - Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues throughout the project lifecycle. - Establish and maintain project governance, escalation, and change control processes. - Ensure project decisions are documented and communicated effectively. - Drive resolution of project roadblocks and conflicts while maintaining delivery timelines. Implementation & Organizational Change - Coordinate all phases of application implementation including requirements gathering, design, configuration, testing, deployment, training, and hypercare support. - Partner with business process owners to ensure solution adoption and readiness. - Oversee user acceptance testing (UAT), cutover planning, and go-live activities. - Support change management and communication strategies to facilitate successful adoption of new systems and processes. Vendor & Resource Management - Manage third-party vendors, system integrators, and consulting partners. - Coordinate internal and external project resources to ensure successful delivery. - Monitor project budgets, forecasts, and vendor performance against contractual commitments. Required Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in business, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. - 8+ years of project management experience leading enterprise software implementation projects. - Proven experience managing full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and/or SaaS implementation projects. - Demonstrated success delivering large-scale, cross-functional technology initiatives. - Strong understanding of project management methodologies including Agile, Waterfall, and Hybrid approaches. - Experience managing project budgets, timelines, resources, and vendor relationships. - Exceptional communication, facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. - Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. - Experience preparing executive-level reporting and presentations. Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have) - Experience implementing Workforce Management (WFM) solutions such as UKG, Kronos, Workday Workforce Management, ADP Workforce Manager, or similar platforms. - Experience with PeopleSoft applications, particularly HCM, Payroll, Time & Labor, or Financials modules. - Experience integrating enterprise applications with HRIS, ERP, payroll, or workforce management systems. - PMP (Project Management Professional), PRINCE2, Agile, Scrum Master, or equivalent certification. - Experience within large enterprise or multi-location environments. - Knowledge of change management methodologies (Prosci or equivalent). Key Competencies - Executive Presence - Strategic Planning & Execution - Enterprise Application Implementations - Stakeholder & Vendor Management - Risk & Issue Management - Change Leadership - Budget & Resource Management - Cross-Functional Team Leadership - Agile & Waterfall Delivery - Communication & Influence Success Measures - Delivery of projects on time, within scope, and within budget. - Achievement of business objectives and implementation milestones. - High stakeholder satisfaction and effective executive communication. - Successful system adoption and operational readiness. - Effective management of project risks, issues, and dependencies. - Strong collaboration across business, technology, and vendor teams. This role is ideal for a seasoned project leader with deep experience delivering enterprise application implementations and who can bring additional value through knowledge of Workforce Management and PeopleSoft environments.