Software Project Manager Contract

ZENOVO; Horsham; On-site; GBP 88,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

ZENOVO in Horsham is seeking an experienced Software Project Manager to lead the delivery of complex software projects within a technical engineering environment. You will work alongside Software Technical Leads and Software Engineering Leads to own project delivery across timescales, budgets and quality standards.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proven PM to impact multidisciplinary product development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years' experience managing complex software development or technology‑focused projects.
• Proven track record of delivering projects to agreed scope, schedule, cost and quality objectives.
• Experience managing software development projects across the full product lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of Agile, Waterfall and hybrid project delivery methodologies.
• Proven ability to manage integrated project plans, budgets, schedules and resource forecasts.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong risk, issue, dependency and change management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, negotiation and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project (MSP) and project reporting tools.
• Experience using Jira or similar project management platforms.
• Experience working within regulated product development or technical engineering environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of software projects throughout the full product lifecycle, from concept and requirements through to release and support.
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, schedules, budgets, resource forecasts and delivery roadmaps.
• Manage project scope, milestones, dependencies, risks, issues and change control.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across Software, Systems, Electronics, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Quality and Product Management.
• Work closely with Software Technical Leads, Software Engineering Leads, Product Managers and senior stakeholders.
• Monitor project performance and provide reporting on progress, forecasts, risks and recovery plans.
• Manage project expenditure and ensure delivery remains within approved financial parameters.
• Facilitate project reviews, governance meetings and stakeholder updates.
• Ensure projects meet quality, compliance, governance and cybersecurity requirements.
• Drive effective decision‑making, issue resolution and continuous improvement.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Risk management

Change management

Cross-functional coordination

Education

Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business or related

PM/PRINCE2/AGILEPM/IPMA/APM PMQ certs

Tools

Microsoft Project

Jira

Job description

Duration: 6 months

IR35 Status: Outside IR35

Rate: £475-£500 per day

Location: Horsham

The Opportunity We are seeking an experienced Software Project Manager to lead the successful delivery of complex software development projects within a technical engineering environment.

Working alongside Software Technical Leads and Software Engineering Leads, you will take overall responsibility for project delivery, balancing technical, commercial and organisational priorities to ensure projects are delivered to agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proven project management professional to make an impact within a multidisciplinary product development environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of software projects throughout the full product lifecycle, from concept and requirements definition through to release and ongoing support.
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, schedules, budgets, resource forecasts and delivery roadmaps.
• Manage project scope, milestones, dependencies, risks, issues and change control.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across Software, Systems, Electronics, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Quality and Product Management.
• Work closely with Software Technical Leads, Software Engineering Leads, Product Managers and senior stakeholders.
• Monitor project performance and provide clear reporting on progress, forecasts, risks and recovery plans.
• Manage project expenditure and ensure delivery remains within approved financial parameters.
• Facilitate project reviews, governance meetings and stakeholder updates.
• Ensure projects meet relevant quality, compliance, governance and cybersecurity requirements.
• Drive effective decision‑making, issue resolution and continuous improvement.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Minimum of 8 years' experience managing complex software development or technology‑focused projects.
• A proven track record of delivering projects to agreed scope, schedule, cost and quality objectives.
• Experience managing software development projects across the full product lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of Agile, Waterfall and hybrid project delivery methodologies.
• Proven ability to manage integrated project plans, budgets, schedules and resource forecasts.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong risk, issue, dependency and change management skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, negotiation and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project (MSP) and project reporting tools.
• Experience using Jira or similar project management platforms.
• Experience working within regulated product development or technical engineering environments.

Desirable

• Project management qualification such as PMP, PRINCE2 Practitioner, AgilePM, IPMA or APM PMQ.
• Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business or a related discipline.
• Experience with embedded software, software‑intensive products or technology development.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity, software quality assurance and secure software development.
• Familiarity with vacuum technology or related industrial sectors.

Please note: This role does not offer visa sponsorship.