IT - Network Project Manager

Our client is a leading, regulated financial market infrastructure organisation in Hong Kong and is strengthening its project delivery capability for mission-critical network initiatives. This is a senior Project Manager (Network Infrastructure) role responsible for end-to-end delivery of complex change programmes across trading system connectivity and data centre environments, ensuring strong governance, controlled execution (including market rehearsals), and alignment with strict operational and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

End-to-End Network Infrastructure Project Delivery

1. Lead the full project lifecycle for network infrastructure programmes, from initiation and planning through execution, testing, go-live, and post-implementation review.
2. Drive delivery governance across scope, timeline, risks/issues, dependencies, and quality to meet stringent operational requirements.

Critical Change & Market Rehearsals (Trading System Readiness)

1. Plan and deliver critical changes impacting trading environments, including coordination of market rehearsal activities and operational readiness planning.
2. Manage implementation schedules that may require weekend or off-hours work to minimise business disruption.

Testing Management (SIT / UAT / Performance)

1. Own and coordinate testing strategy and execution, including SIT, UAT, and performance testing; ensure acceptance criteria, defect triage, and sign-offs are managed effectively.
2. Maintain structured reporting and traceability across test outcomes, remediation progress, and go-live readiness.

Data Centre Relocation & Hardware Refresh Programmes

1. Lead infrastructure change initiatives including data centre relocation, network cutovers, and hardware refresh programmes.
2. Coordinate across internal engineering teams, operations, and vendors to ensure smooth transition with minimal downtime and controlled risk.

Vendor, Procurement & Contract Management

1. Manage vendors throughout the delivery lifecycle, ensuring milestone adherence, quality outcomes, and governance discipline.
2. Lead or support procurement activities including RFP/RFQ processes, vendor evaluation, and contract negotiation support.

Budget Planning & Cost Optimisation

1. Own project financial management including budget planning, forecasting, cost tracking, and cost optimisation initiatives.

Stakeholder Management & Delivery Assurance

1. Provide clear, regular communication to stakeholders at all levels, driving alignment, managing escalations, and building consensus.
2. Apply strong analytical problem-solving (including root cause analysis) to resolve delivery blockers and improve outcomes.

Assignment Continuity & Knowledge Transfer

1. Ensure consistent project ownership across the contract duration, with structured onboarding, background checking, and documented knowledge transfer processes where required.

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related disciplines.
2. Minimum 10 years of IT project management experience, with at least 4 years focused on network infrastructure projects.
3. Professional certifications: PMP or PRINCE2 (required).
4. Networking certifications: CCNP or CCIE (required).
5. Strong track record delivering projects within regulated industries (financial services preferred) and/or multinational environments.
6. Experience leading critical change projects and market rehearsals for trading systems.
7. Hands-on experience with data centre relocation and hardware refresh projects.
8. Strong understanding of project lifecycle delivery, including SIT, UAT, and performance testing.
9. Proven experience in vendor management, RFP/RFQ processes, and contract negotiation support.
10. Experience in budget planning and cost optimisation.
11. Able to handle tight deadlines and multiple workstreams; comfortable working under pressure.
12. Willingness to support weekend work or off-hours activities as required by project schedules.
13. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with strong attention to detail.
14. Proficiency in Cantonese and English is required; Mandarin is an advantage.