Senior IT Project Manager (Freelance, Hybrid)

For a complex and business-critical transformation project, we are looking for an experienced Senior IT Project Manager on a freelance basis.

The project is currently entering an intensive stabilisation and recovery phase. The objective is to establish transparency regarding scope, responsibilities, dependencies and delivery status and to create a reliable basis for the successful continuation of the project.

The Senior IT Project Manager will assume the overall operational project leadership and will be responsible for steering the project through the stabilisation phase and towards the planned go-live.

Experience in complex, multi-vendor transformation projects and in the management of critical or challenging project situations is essential. Specific industry experience is not required.

Key Facts / Framework Conditions

• Contract type: Freelance assignment
• Start: As soon as possible
• Duration: Expected until the planned go-live in May 2027
• Workload: 100%
• Working model: Hybrid
• Onsite presence: Regular onsite presence will be required, particularly during the initial stabilisation phase
• Languages: Fluent German and English are mandatory
• Location requirement: Only candidates based in the EU can be considered for this assignment.

Tasks

• Lead the project and assume overall operational responsibility for its planning, coordination and delivery.
• Establish and maintain an integrated project plan covering all relevant workstreams, milestones and dependencies
• Create transparency regarding project scope, requirements, deliverables and open decisions
• Coordinate internal stakeholders, external implementation partners and other involved parties
• Ensure clear alignment between business, IT and external delivery teamsDefine priorities and ensure that critical topics are addressed and resolved in a timely manner
• Establish effective project steering, reporting and escalation mechanisms together with the Project Recovery Manager and the PMO
• Manage project risks, issues, dependencies and critical decisionsPrepare and facilitate project management and steering committee meetings
• Provide transparent and reliable reporting to senior management and key stakeholders
• Monitor delivery progress, quality and resource requirements across all workstreams
• Challenge project plans and delivery assumptions where necessary
• Assess the feasibility of the planned timeline and initiate corrective measures where required
• Ensure structured preparation for testing, readiness activities and the planned go-live

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience leading complex and business-critical IT transformation projects
• Proven experience in stabilising and recovering projects in challenging or critical situations
• Strong track record in managing multi-workstream and multi-vendor project environments
• Experience in establishing integrated project plans, governance structures and transparent reporting mechanisms
• Srong understanding of project delivery processes, including requirements, design, implementation, testing and go-live preparation
• Excellent stakeholder management skills at operational, management and executive level
• Strong leadership, decision-making, conflict-resolution and escalation capabilities
• Ability to quickly analyse complex project situations and translate findings into clear priorities and executable measures
• Experience in coordinating business, IT and external delivery partners
• Structured, pragmatic and outcome-oriented working styleStrong communication and presentation skills
• Fluent German and English