Senior Technology Project Manager

As a Senior Technology Project Manager at DRW, key responsibilities include managing full life cycle projects from conception to delivery, focusing on third-party platform implementations and software development. You'll facilitate meetings, create project documentation, interact with internal departments and external vendors, negotiate contracts, and maintain relationships with trading units. Your role will also involve conducting build versus buy analysis for technology projects and coaching IT Services professionals in project management best practices.

To excel as a Senior Technology Project Manager at DRW, you need at least 10 years of experience managing full life cycle projects, especially in third-party and proprietary software implementations. Experience in the trading and capital markets industry is highly preferred, along with strong knowledge of networking technology. A Scrum certification is required, and familiarity with PMI standards is desired. Additionally, a Bachelor's degree is required to qualify for this position.

The work environment for a Senior Technology Project Manager at DRW is dynamic and collaborative. With a hybrid work schedule that requires at least three days in the office, you'll engage with cross-functional teams and stakeholders regularly. The culture at DRW emphasizes respect and curiosity, fostering an atmosphere where employees can innovate and challenge ideas effectively in pursuit of high-quality project delivery.

A Senior Technology Project Manager at DRW will work on a variety of projects, primarily centered around third-party platform implementations like ServiceNow and Salesforce, software development initiatives, and other technology projects. This includes conducting thorough analyses for technology procurement, leading vendor selection processes, and ensuring that projects align with the company's strategic objectives.

Career growth opportunities for a Senior Technology Project Manager at DRW are promising, given the firm's commitment to personal and professional development. By taking ownership of impactful technology projects and engaging with various departments, you can hone your skills and expertise. There is potential to advance to higher project management roles or transition into leadership positions within the technology or operational spheres at DRW.

In answering this question, highlight specific projects where you've taken full ownership, from the initial planning phase through to delivery. Discuss the methodologies you employed, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes of those projects. Make sure to include how you coordinated with various stakeholders and adapted to changes, showcasing your adaptability and strategic thinking.

Share specific tools like Jira, Trello, or Microsoft Project that you've used effectively. Highlight how these tools helped you plan, track progress, and report on project status. Discuss your familiarity with methodologies like Scrum or Agile and how you apply them in your projects.

Discuss your approach to stakeholder engagement, emphasizing the importance of communication and understanding their concerns. Provide examples of how you’ve successfully navigated resistance through informative discussions, showcasing the benefits of proposed changes and fostering collaboration for a smoother transition.

Provide examples of specific challenges you faced in managing technology projects, such as timeline delays or budget constraints. Discuss the steps you took to assess the situation, communicate with your team and stakeholders, and implement solutions that led to successful project outcomes.

Explain your system for maintaining project documentation, including templates and structured formats for clarity. Highlight your practices for regular updates and reviews, ensuring team members have access to the latest information, which fosters transparency and efficiency throughout a project's lifecycle.

Share your experiences in selecting vendors, negotiating contracts, and managing relationships during project execution. Highlight any specific tools or criteria you use to evaluate vendors, as well as how you ensure they meet performance expectations while aligning with project goals.

Discuss the key performance indicators (KPIs) you typically utilize to measure project success, including timelines, budget adherence, stakeholder satisfaction, and quality of deliverables. Mention how you provide regular progress updates to stakeholders using these metrics to maintain transparency.

Explain your approach to team motivation, which might include regular check-ins, recognizing achievements, and promoting a positive team culture. Provide examples where your leadership positively impacted team morale, especially in high-pressure situations.

Detail your previous roles in the trading or capital markets sector, highlighting specific projects or technologies you worked with that are relevant to DRW. Discuss how this experience equips you with insights needed to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities within this fast-paced environment.

Share your methods for staying informed, such as following industry publications, participating in relevant training, or engaging with professional networks. Discuss how you apply new trends and technologies to improve your project management approach and enhance project outcomes.