Mike Jansen
Verified Expert in Project Management
Project Manager
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Toptal member since April 9, 2019
Mike has over three decades of experience managing large software programs and technology projects for multinationals like SAP, IGT, and Standard Bank. In addition, he's managed PMOs and numerous smaller software projects and rollouts. Mike is fluent in both traditional (Waterfall, SDLC) and modern (Agile, Scrum, Kanban) project methodologies and favors freelancing for the variety of projects and the personal freedom it gives him.
Project Highlights
Expertise
- Agile Project Management
- Collaboration
- IT Project Management
- Organizational Change Management (OCM)
- Project Delivery
- Project Management
- Project Timelines
- Project Tracking
Work Experience
Senior Project Manager (Freelance)
Bradian Logistics Limited
- Managed the office re-fit and warehouse refurbishment worth USD $3 million, including re-purposing the cold chain facility into an ambient storage space.
- Handled the secure move of 3,500 pallets with high-value electronic goods into new 15,000 pallet locations.
- Managed multiple suppliers, contractors and sub-contractors, and the internal team.
Lead Project Manager
Toptal Client
- Coordinated software development with an external contracted organization.
- Managed contractors for new laboratories and refurbed existing laboratories for processing COVID-19 tests.
- Delivered plans for lab proof of concepts for three pilot labs across the USA.
- Liaised with the software development organization on requirements and compliance with HIPAA.
Senior Project Manager
Anglo American
- Led regional transport and logistics optimization.
- Managed a data scientist and the acquisition and use of master data for spend patterns and load patterns.
- Managed inbound and outbound logistics for the establishment of 14 new COVID-19 testing laboratories, which helped ensure RTO and that their mining operations were able to resume, whilst keeping workers safe and healthy.
PMO Consultant
iXerv
- Created a virtual "PMO in a Box" with all artifacts, which enabled the rollout of standards and a consistent way to manage projects worldwide.
- Validated concepts of PMO with the global COO, obtained buy-in, and proceeded with the establishment of PMO.
- Socialized concepts and benefits of the PMO with regional managers.
- Obtained sign-off and approval for all artifacts created.
- Rolled out the PMO to all global offices for implementing SAP on-premises and in the cloud.
Lead Project Manager
Loinette Leasing
- Managed the greenfields SAP B1 and FleetPro integration projects.
- Managed the conversion of data from legacy platforms.
- Kept stakeholders informed and managed the communications to shareholders and expectations to both groups.
- Managed the data take-on and parallel runs between systems to prove balances.
- Agreed on criteria for go/no-go decisions and acceptable deviations when balancing accounting components.
Lead Technology Partner
Absa
- Managed the roll-out of Salesforce into Absa Corporate and an investment bank division as a single reference view of customers.
- Managed Deloitte resources on a Salesforce project and coordinated all configuration and testing.
- Spearheaded remediation projects to comply with SA Reserve Bank instructions.
- Managed a re-platforming program for all messaging platforms, including email, SMS, and in-app notifications.
- Managed a team of project managers delivering the BOC, ESP, and RCD projects.
Senior Project Manager BR7
Standard Bank South Africa
- Owned project management responsibilities for CIB’s components within the SAP Core Banking Transformation Programme. Replaced core banking and financial and transformed the way accounts were treated.
- Managed CIB's interactions and progress within the Core Banking Transformation Programme.
- Liaised with SAP for confirmation of functionality.
- Participated in the program steering committee and divisional ownership group.
- Managed business stakeholders both within CIB and the larger program.
- Managed a team of six direct reports, including the lead business analyst, lead process analyst, lead systems analyst, subject matter experts, architect, administrator, and their respective analysts.
Senior Project Manager
Gordon Institute of Business Science
- Managed the implementation of MS Dynamics CRM as a GIBS's back-office system for their student administration purposes.
- Managed director and senior executive heads and stakeholders' expectations.
- Jointly managed a third-party service provider's team of analysts and developers.
Bid Director
Igwija Gaming (Pty) Ltd
- Managed the response to the Department of Trade and Industry’s third request for proposal for the 7-year National Lottery license.
- Created a response timeline and project plan to ensure adherence to the date to submit.
- Interviewed and hired bid writers for various sections of the bid.
- Managed technology partners' efforts on the technology sections and shipping of lottery terminals to accompany bid submission.
- Managed the efforts of the financial modeling team from Grant Thornton and how the various mandatory scenarios matched all the written submissions, including the game launch timetable and product launch timetable.
- Hired and led a team of eight writers for a detailed written response to the Bid, and managed the external game design consultants.
Senior Project Manager
Sasol
- Assessed all enterprise software applications' maturity.
- Managed senior executive stakeholders' participation and communication.
- Managed the analysis of all operational applications in conjunction with Deloitte and conducted the gap analysis and skill analysis.
Senior Project Manager
DStv
- Concurrently managed projects implementing 3G streaming for several mobile operators in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Managed internal and external vendors and resources.
- Spearheaded the outsourced agile development team through frequent interactions with product owners and developers.
Senior Project Manager and Interim Manager
SA Taxi
- Managed a range of projects and programs of work across various divisions within the company.
- Contributed to projects including implementing a new collections system, IP telephony, and loan management system replacement.
- Interim-managed the establishment of a new department of functional processing.
- Managed executive stakeholders and kept them timeously informed.
Deputy Bid Manager
Uthingo Management (Pty) Ltd
- Co-managed the entire response to the DTI’s RFP for the second 7-year National Lottery license.
- Advised on strategy during judicial review of the RFP process and license award.
- Acted as a sounding board to the CEO during the uncertain times of license suspension.
ITM
Standard Bank South Africa
- Held global P&L responsibility for the IT delivery of all systems for the business online, HR division, and three other business units within the Standard Bank (wholesale).
- Managed stakeholders across all the business units for whom I was the technology partner.
- Participated in the bank's global steering committee for wholesale IT.
- Led a team of four direct reports, including the production, architecture, development, and web managers, who in turn, respectively managed 55 developers, engineers, architects, and designers.
Telco Services Director
Protek Flagship (Pty) Ltd
- Held P&L responsibility for the technical implementation of billing and customer care programs and projects in Africa.
- Managed budget, personnel, and customer satisfaction in the Africa region.
- Acted as the country general manager during the prolonged absence of the GM.
Regional Software Director
IGT
- Held joint P&L responsibility for the technical implementation of the entire lotto program startup.
- Managed 45,000 man-hours of software deliverables in the African region.
- Oversaw regional budgets, staff, and customer satisfaction.
Business Systems Manager (Previously HR Projects Manager)
SAP Southern Africa
- Managed business systems for the organization for it to become an information-based company.
- Achieved ISO9002 accreditation, including implementation time and expenses.
- Managed the team of HR application consultants, acquired HR projects, and liaisoned with business partners,.
- Led the country-specific HR development for SAP Southern Africa's areas of responsibility.
Senior HR Product Manager
Zarab | CRS | MCS
- Created the opportunity, then successfully won the business and jointly executed for CRS, the installation of payroll and HR systems at Mediclinic group of hospitals for more than 10,000 employees.
- Managed the development of the "HU-The Human Resource Manager" HRIS for Zarab and the configuration and implementation of the software at more than five clients and 20 sites.
- Co-ordinated user requests, proposed and managed the formation of a user group to ensure that the new developments met or exceeded the user population's expectations.
- Managed the development and operations teams at MCS for the provision of out-sourced HRMS, basic employee records, and payroll to the base of around 15 user companies.
Project History
Establishment of COVID-19 Laboratories
Managed in- and outbound logistics of dozens of PCRs, RNA extractors, and thousands of testing kits for 15 new labs.
iXerv PMO in a Box
Delivered a complete virtual project management Office-in-a-Box for an SAP implementation partner firm.
Legacy Messaging Re-platforming (Absa)
Acted as both product manager and owner for re-platforming of five legacy messaging platforms, including SMS and emails.
Annual savings of $3 million run-costs for development costs of $1 million.
Mobile Streaming TV
Led the introduction of mobile streaming TV (on 3G networks) in three countries.
Managed remote Agile teams of developers and testers working on both front- and back-end components, and integration across the networks.
Loinette Business Management System
Implemented new front-end (Fleetpro) and back-end (SAP B1) systems to replace legacy accounting and fleet systems.
Conducted customer creation and take-on of all existing deals and customer balances.
Accounted for any variations between the legacy and new systems, whilst the customer reviewed and agreed with the results and processes followed.
SA National Lottery Gaming Software Development Project
Delivered $4 million gaming software development, ahead of schedule and with additional functionality.
The software was additionally certified by the regulator, as producing the correct results in-line with the independent verification system, to prevent any fraud or ability to post-draw inject dummy winning combinations into the results file.
Sasol IM Operational Assessment
Managed and conducted operational assessment of all Sasol's applications.
• Managed senior executive stakeholders' participation and communication.
• Managed the analysis of all operational applications in conjunction with Deloitte and conducted the gap and skill analysis.
Certifications
Agile Bootcamp
IQ Business School
Coaching
UCT
Skills
Tools
Microsoft Project, Asana, Excel 2016, Office 365, Salesforce, Jira, Trello
Paradigms
Implementation Project Management, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Agile, Agile Project Management, Waterfall Delivery, DevOps, Web Architecture, Scrum, Requirements Analysis, Design Thinking, Kanban, Change Management
Platforms
Windows, Blockchain, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Industry Expertise
Logistics, Telecommunications, Financial Services, Health, Education Technology (Edtech)
Other
Waterfall Methodology, Project Management Operations, Implementation, System Implementation, Project Management, Enterprise Project Management, Project Management Infrastructure, Conflict Resolution, Communication, Stakeholder Management, Team Leadership, Negotiation, Leadership, PMO, PMO Development, Executive Coaching, Agile Transformation, Project Planning, HRIS, IT Program Management, Technical Project Management, Presentations, Resource Allocation, Software Development Management, IT, Software Development, Project Estimation, Estimation & Planning, Project Scheduling, Project Scoping, Risk Management, Portfolio Management, Product Management, Business Processes, Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS), Payroll & Benefits, Compensation Programs, Human Capital Management, Project Delivery, Project Timelines, Project Tracking, Planning, Scheduling, Client Management, Vendor Management, Integrated Program Management , Program Management, Bids, Business Proposals, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Project Consultation, Lottery, Project Management Office (PMO), Project Rescue, Operational Assessments, Consulting, Collaboration, Meetings, Project Reporting, Scope Management, IT Project Management, Recruitment, Remote Work Consulting, Strategy, Post-merger Integration, ITIL, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Documentation, Organizational Design, Budgeting, Budget Management, Enterprise, Technology Strategy & Architecture, Technical Program Management, Procurement, Technical Product Management, Technology Solutions, Web Application Architecture, Technical Leadership, Digital Project Management, CRM Systems, Schedule Optimization, Scheduling Tools, Sales, Smartsheet, Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Management Consulting, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Discovery Workshops, Hybrid Project Management, Enterprise Software, Business Analysis, Applicant Tracking Software (ATS), Operations Management, System Requirements, Chief Operations Officer (COO), Broadcasting, Warehouse Management, Coaching, Financial Transformation
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