IT Project Manager

About the role

We are looking for an experienced IT Project Manager for an initial 12 month Fixed Term Contract (FTC). As an I&T Project Manager within the Integration Programme, you will lead a specific aspect of the integration of DS Smith's EMEA I&T with International Paper. By their nature the projects within the integration programme will be the most complex and transformational deliverables within DS Smith IT.   

In early 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith PLC, creating the world's leading sustainable packaging company and a top 100 global manufacturer. Together, we operate across EMEA and North America with revenues approaching £30bn. This merger represents a transformative opportunity to harmonise operations, unlock efficiencies, and deliver sustainable growth at scale.  

The work to achieve this has just begun and constitutes a significant transformation agenda for the next 12-18 months. The I&T part of the business integration programme spans a c.$50bn investment and is critical to ensuring seamless operations across regions. 

For this role, we are looking for an experienced individual to lead the 'Application Migration' project, which is delivering the IT work alongside the business and other central functions to enable those applications which are currently centrally hosted by IP in the US to either be rehosted in EMEA, retired or replaced.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of the 'Application Migration' project which forms part of the EMEA I&T integration programme.

• Establish project governance, reporting, and executive stakeholder engagement.

• Orchestrate and drive required IT change as well as adoption of new systems and processes.

• Ensure compliance with regulatory, financial, and operational standards where applicable.

• Act as the primary liaison between I&T and other functions (business, finance, HR, etc…) to deliver the scope of project work.

• Identify and mitigate projects risks while ensuring delivery against strategic objectives.

• Benefits tracking and realization of the project outcomes.

• Status reporting, escalation and governance of the project, fitting within the wider integration programme structure.

• Management of resources working wholly or in part on the project of work.

In summary, the role holder will ensure successful delivery of project scope to the required time, cost and quality whilst adhering to all DS Smith delivery standards and evidencing excellence in control and communication. 

About you

• Significant years of experience in IT and business/industry change / transformation. 

• Preferably involving large, multi-national organisations where influencing senior management and key stakeholders effectively is required across the organization and within complex contexts. 

• Full lifecycle experience of project delivery (mobilisation, hypercare & closure). 

• Understanding of project delivery methodology – e.g. PRINCE2 Practitioner (or equivalent). 

• Proven leadership experience in a high-pressure delivery environment, involving cross-functional teams.  

• Experience in delivering projects with budgets in the $10-30m range. 

• Excellent command of written/verbal business English; other European language(s) a plus. 

• Ability to manage changing requirements and planning updates as required to meet shifting business priorities.  

• Management of multiple equivalent projects.  

• Experience of internal and outsourced delivery models, as well as waterfall and agile delivery methodology. 

• Ability to translate project needs into tasks / work-based packages. 

• Experience of leading hybrid delivery environments, with both 3rd party and internal teams. 

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, business administration or a related field, with applicable previous work experience. 

• Expertise in IT, applications, infrastructure, change & delivery. 

"To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria."

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