Information Technology Project Manager

Location: North York/Hybrid (3 days a week in office)

Term: 1-year contract (highly extendable)

Position Overview:

The IT System Cutover Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing the activities necessary for transitioning from legacy systems to new platforms or from one system environment to another. The role ensures minimal disruption to business operations during system transitions and works closely with project managers, business analysts, technical teams, and stakeholders to facilitate smooth cutover events. This position is critical during the final stages of project implementation, ensuring that system cutovers are carried out efficiently and effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

Cutover Planning:

• Develop detailed cutover plans outlining tasks, timelines, resources, and dependencies for successful system transitions.
• Identify potential cutover risks and create mitigation strategies to minimize disruptions.
• Collaborate with project managers, business owners, and technical teams to ensure alignment on cutover activities.

Pre-Cutover Activities:

• Conduct readiness assessments to ensure all pre-cutover tasks are completed and systems are fully prepared for the transition.
• Organize and execute mock cutover tests to validate cutover plans and identify potential issues.
• Prepare and distribute communication plans to inform stakeholders of cutover schedules, potential impacts, and support procedures.

Cutover Execution:

• Oversee and manage the execution of cutover activities, ensuring strict adherence to the cutover plan.
• Coordinate resources and tasks during the cutover window to minimize downtime and ensure smooth transitions.
• Monitor the progress of the cutover and promptly address any deviations or issues that arise.

Post-Cutover Activities:

• Verify system functionality and data integrity after cutover to ensure a successful transition.
• Conduct post-cutover assessments to identify any issues and ensure they are promptly resolved.
• Document lessons learned from each cutover and provide feedback to improve future processes.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with technical teams, including developers, system administrators, and database administrators, to ensure successful cutover execution.
• Maintain clear and effective communication with stakeholders, providing regular updates on cutover progress, issues, and resolutions.
• Facilitate cutover meetings and status calls to keep all parties informed and aligned.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of cutover plans, procedures, and outcomes.
• Generate detailed cutover reports that summarize activities, issues, and resolutions.
• Provide regular updates to project managers and relevant parties to ensure transparency and clarity.