Senior Project Leader

Mission Overview:

This is a consultancy mission delivered by Keystone Solutions. As a Keystone Solutions consultant, you will be embedded within the client's Life Information Systems division to lead and deliver complex IT projects across underwriting applications and claims management systems. Reference: 3477PROLR.

You will operate in an environment where applications are developed using a Microfocus mainframe emulator in Windows (programming language Cobol/Mix Cobol+.NET), with various frontend technologies (.NET, CRM), as well as printing, integration, and communication technologies. A major portion of the upcoming portfolio consists of project activities, reinforcing the need for strong project leadership. We are seeking an open‑minded, solution‑driven leader who can manage firm timelines and bring together people from several teams. All responsibilities below will be carried out as a Keystone Solutions consultant working closely with the client.

Keystone Solutions Consultancy Model:

As a Keystone Solutions consultant, you will work primarily on site at the client's Brussels center two days per week, complemented by three days per week of teleworking, collaborating with client stakeholders while being supported by Keystone Solutions' community of experts. You will deliver agreed outcomes within the client's governance and technology landscape, bringing Keystone's best practices, quality standards, and values to every engagement.

Mission Period:

• Expected start date: As soon as possible
• Duration: 12 months (extension is possible)

Location and Working Model:

• Brussels center: 2 days per week on site at the client
• Teleworking: 3 days per week
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Language Requirements:

• English: Good speaking, reading, and writing (mandatory)
• Dutch: Good speaking, reading, and writing (mandatory)
• French: Good speaking, reading, and writing (preferable)
• Scale: 1 = Basic, 2 = Good, 3 = Fluent

Level of Education Required:

• Master in Engineering, Computer Sciences, Sciences, or equivalent

Context and Technology Environment:

• Division: Life Information Systems, responsible for Life product developments across underwriting and claims management.
• Primary collaboration: The client and its major banking partner.
• Technologies: Microfocus mainframe emulator in Windows; Cobol/Mix Cobol+.NET; frontend with .NET and CRM; printing; integration; communication technologies.
• Operating model: Project-heavy portfolio over the coming years requiring reinforced project leadership capabilities.

Required Knowledge and Experience – Personal Skills:

• Mandatory:
  • Good communication skills (able to adapt communication to the audience)
  • Methodical, structured, and proactive
  • Self-driving
  • Result oriented with attention for quality and details
  • Dynamic, analytic, synthetic
  • Quick learner
  • Client oriented
• Preferable:
  • To the point
  • Strong active listening skills

Required Knowledge and Experience – Business Experience:

• Mandatory (Senior – 10 years):
  • Confirmed experience in managing IT projects (on application side)
  • During the interview, you will be requested to show and discuss project management activities from the past
  • Experience delivering several projects with more than 1000 man-days
  • Insurance services experience
• Preferable:
  • Data warehouse (DWH) experience

Required Knowledge and Experience – Technical:

• Mandatory:
  • Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Required Knowledge and Experience – Functional:

• Mandatory:
  • Prince2 project management methodology
  • Experience with waterfall methodology (Agile/Scrum is a plus)
• Preferable:
  • Test management principles
  • Business analyst experience

Objectives of the Job – Key Responsibilities as a Keystone Solutions Consultant:

In this context, the mission of the project leader will be to drive many different projects in many different technologies. As a Keystone Solutions consultant working closely with the client, you will be expected to perform the following:

• Organize project governance (timing before full autonomy: 1 month)
  • Description:
    • Determine project stakeholders and document them explicitly
    • Set up the steering committee and secure involvement from every member
    • Set up the communication plan defining decisional platforms and expected reports
  • Minimal expected outputs:
    • Stakeholders matrix
    • Communication plan
• Manage and challenge business requirements (timing before full autonomy: 1 month)
  • Description:
    • Together with architects and the business, determine the best scope for the project (balance value/cost/timing)
    • Identify opportunities
    • Challenge the business to avoid over-engineering
    • Keep a trace of open points and related decisions/actions
  • Minimal expected outputs:
    • Open point log
    • High-level presentation with project goals and business case
• Coordinate architecture activities and outputs (timing before full autonomy: 1 month)
  • Description:
    • Identify clearly with the architect the expected outputs and related milestones
  • Minimal expected outputs:
    • Architecture detailed planning
• Set up project budget and roadmap (timing before full autonomy: 1 month)
  • Description:
    • Set up the product breakdown structure
    • Consolidate project budget through detailed work package estimations
    • Plan every phase of the project
  • Minimal expected outputs:
    • Project roadmap
    • Work-packages detailed plan
    • Project budget forecast in the administration tool
    • Project test plan
• Follow progress of the developments
• Report on progress, timing, scope, quality, and budget to the client and senior managers (timing before full autonomy: 1 month)
  • Description:
    • Determine suitable reporting periodicity
    • Report on progress
    • Report on timing
    • Report on scope
    • Report on quality
    • Report on budget
  • Minimal expected outputs:
    • Highlight Report (existing template)
• Anticipate risks and issues and propose actions to tackle them (timing before full autonomy: immediately)
  • Description:
    • Proactively manage risks and issues on the project (scope, budget, timing, quality)
    • Set up and communicate an action plan for each risk or issue
    • Drive the project to its objectives
  • Minimal expected outputs:
    • Risk/Issue/Action log
• Communicate proactively to all project stakeholders (timing before full autonomy: immediately)
  • Description:
    • Implement the communication plan
    • Take initiative to communicate outside the plan when needed
    • Ensure everyone has the level of information they need when they need it
• Stimulate the project teams
  • Description:
    • Get every project team member involved
    • Stimulate collaboration between teams and people
    • Encourage initiatives
    • Allow each team member to develop their skills

What You Will Gain as a Keystone Solutions Consultant:

• Consultancy nature of work: Operate on site within the client's organization while backed by Keystone Solutions' methodologies, tooling, and peer network.
• Dynamic projects: Tackle diverse challenges across underwriting, claims management, and legacy-modernization contexts (.NET, COBOL, CRM, integration), with exposure to both waterfall and hybrid approaches.
• Turbo-charged learning and development: Access to coaching, certifications support (e.g., Prince2, Agile/Scrum, test management), and knowledge-sharing with seasoned project leaders and architects.
• Ambition skyrocketing within a consultancy framework: Accelerate your career through varied engagements, expanding stakeholder management, budgeting, and governance mastery across large-scale (1000+ man-day) initiatives.

Keystone Solutions Values in a Consultancy Context:

• As a K‑Stone, you embody client centricity, ownership, craftsmanship, and collaboration. You bring these values to every client project, ensuring transparent communication, measurable outcomes, and sustainable delivery quality.

If you are ready to tackle technical and strategic challenges in a dynamic consultancy environment, apply today at Keystone Solutions Career Portal.