Delivery Manager

Job Title: Delivery Manager

Position Overview:

The Delivery Manager is accountable for the efficient, on-time, and on-budget delivery of software changes across all assigned projects. This role collaborates closely with Product Leadership and Senior Delivery Managers to ensure that all software solutions meet the highest standards of quality and adhere to the Agile SDLC process outlined by IdeaCrew. The Delivery Manager will ensure that projects are delivered in line with the expectations of the product roadmap, which may include a range of initiatives, such as feature projects, operations & maintenance projects or tasks, product advancements, security maintenance initiatives, and strategic initiatives of varying size and complexity.

The Delivery Manager oversees day-to-day project operations, including sprint-to-sprint planning, resource allocation, forecasting, and project updates. At project initiation, the Delivery Manager leads the kickoff, defining scope, objectives, timelines, and resource requirements in collaboration with stakeholders. They also facilitate estimation efforts by working with the technical team to assess the complexity of deliverables, generate time and resource estimates, and secure approval from Senior Delivery Managers and the VP of Product Delivery.

Once the project is underway, the Delivery Manager ensures proper prioritization of tasks, manages progress, adjusts forecasts, and communicates updates to both internal teams and clients. They serve as the primary point of contact for client communications, ensuring updates are consistent, clear, and timely.

As projects move through the SDLC reaching User Acceptance Testing and Project Closeout, the Delivery Manager is responsible for owning triage coordination, client communications, defect resolution, management of change requests and other risks to ensure client approvals are reached. At which point management of closeout duties, such as readiness reviews, release management coordination, operations & maintenance handover are expected. 

As the leader of the delivery team, the Delivery Manager fosters a collaborative, efficient environment, ensuring alignment between product, technical, and quality assurance teams. They ensure that team members are equipped to succeed, resources are allocated effectively, and goals are communicated clearly to meet project objectives. 

Key Responsibilities:

·       Project Delivery Management:
Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of all assigned projects, ensuring that deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and according to the agreed-upon scope. This includes defining priorities, forecasting resource requirements, costs, and timelines.

·       Portfolio Expectations:

The Delivery Manager will oversee a medium-sized portfolio of active projects. At IdeaCrew, this means managing the priorities of 5-8 developers and 1-2 quality assurance resources across projects of varying complexity and potentially multiple clients concurrently. 

·       Team Leadership:
Lead and guide cross-functional teams, including developers, quality assurance testers, and product managers, to ensure clear communication of project goals, priorities, and expectations. Create a collaborative environment where team members are empowered to succeed.

·       Client Communication and Stakeholder Engagement:
Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, providing consistent and accurate updates on project progress. This includes maintaining ticket systems (e.g., ClickUp, Redmine, Sugar), hosting project meetings, and ensuring that client expectations are met. Lead discussions around project delivery status, resolving any concerns or risks that arise.

·       Agile Project Management:
Facilitate all Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives. Ensure the team stays focused on delivering value while maintaining velocity. Capture action items, track progress, and drive accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

·       Scope and Change Management:
Own the scope of each project, ensuring that all deliverables meet the needs of product management and clients. Control scope changes resulting from internal or external requests, and ensure these changes are managed according to established change management practices. Communicate the financial and resource impacts of scope changes, ensuring proper alignment between project goals and the total roadmap.

·       Collaboration with Group Leadership:
Work closely with the Senior Delivery Manager and Product Manager to align project priorities with business objectives, define MVP scope, and address any product-related questions. Collaborate to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently, and projects are well-defined before execution.

·       Risk Management and Escalation:
Proactively identify potential risks and issues throughout the project lifecycle, including scope creep, technical challenges, or changes in client priorities. Develop mitigation strategies and escalate issues when necessary to overcome challenges, maintain project momentum and meet delivery goals.

·       Resource and Budget Management:
Collaborate with the Senior Delivery Manager and VP of Product Delivery to generate estimates for resource needs, timelines, and budget requirements. Monitor project budgets and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently, with appropriate forecasting for future needs.

·       Quality Assurance and Documentation:
Ensure that the technical team produces high-quality documentation, including system diagrams and change logs. Maintain alignment between the technical team’s implementation strategy and architecture, ensuring all deliverables meet the standards set by product management and clients.

Qualifications:

·       Experience:
At least 4 years of experience in software delivery or technical project management, with a strong focus on software development and Agile methodologies.

·       Technical Project Management Skills:
Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, including technical staff, quality assurance professionals, and product managers, to achieve successful project outcomes.

·       Agile Expertise:
In-depth knowledge of Agile principles, with demonstrated experience facilitating Agile ceremonies and driving sprint execution.

·       Communication Skills:
Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

·       Risk Management and Problem-Solving:
Strong skills in identifying and managing risks, solving complex problems, and adapting to changes in scope or project requirements.

·       Budget and Resource Management:
Experience in managing project budgets, resource allocation, and forecasting for large-scale projects.

Reporting Structure:

The Delivery Manager will report directly to the Senior Delivery Manager within their assigned product vertical and work in close partnership with the Product Manager. Together, they will oversee the execution of project activities and ensure alignment with broader business goals and the product roadmap. The Senior Delivery Manager and Product Manager will provide strategic direction, while the Delivery Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day execution of projects. This includes supporting risk identification and mitigation, ensuring any issues are escalated in a timely manner, and helping to refine processes for continuous improvement. Additionally, the Delivery Manager will collaborate with both leaders to maintain and optimize the team's delivery velocity, ensuring that the team consistently delivers high-quality software on time, on budget, and within scope.

Please note that this job description provides a comprehensive overview of the primary responsibilities of the Delivery Manager role. However, the scope of responsibilities may evolve over time, and the Delivery Manager may be assigned additional duties or tasks as needed to support the organization's goals and adapt to business needs.