Head of Project Management Office

Penta Consulting; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Penta Consulting in Johannesburg seeks a Head of Project Management – IT to lead strategic IT initiatives and ensure successful delivery across software, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.

You will govern PM frameworks, align portfolios to business goals, and coach a team of IT project managers to optimize delivery, risk management, and stakeholder communication at the executive level.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• 8+ years in IT project management, with 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing complex IT projects (cloud, ERP, software).
• Strong knowledge of Agile, Scrum, and traditional PM methodologies.
• PMP, PMI-ACP, or SAFe certification is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement project management frameworks for IT initiatives.
• Align project portfolios with business and technology strategy.
• Lead prioritization and resource planning of IT projects.
• Oversee full lifecycle of IT projects from initiation to delivery.
• Provide coaching to Scrum Masters and Project Administrators.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope and budget.

Skills

Technical Project Leadership

Agile & Scrum Expertise

IT Governance & Risk Management

Budgeting & Resource Allocation

Stakeholder Communication

Strategic Thinking & Execution

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS

Job description

The Head of Project Management – IT is responsible for leading the strategic execution of technology initiatives across the organization. This role oversees the project and ensures the successful delivery of IT projects (software development, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation). The ideal candidate combines deep project management expertise with strong leadership and a solid understanding of IT systems and agile practices.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Oversight

• Define and implement project management frameworks tailored to IT initiatives and ensures alignment with organizational goals (Agile, Scrum, etc.).
• Align project portfolios with business and technology strategy.
• Lead the prioritization and resource planning of IT projects.

Project Oversight

• Oversee the full lifecycle of IT projects, from initiation to delivery and postimplementation review.
• Provide support to Scrum Master and Project Administrator.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Monitor KPIs, milestones, and risk factors across all active projects.
• Oversee identification and mitigation of project risks.

Team Management

• Build and lead a high-performing team of IT project managers and coordinators.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and career development opportunities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Allocate resources effectively and resolve conflicts within the project team.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with software engineering, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and business teams.
• Communicate project status, risks, and outcomes to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Prepare and present project and portfolio performance updates to the Executive Committee and Board, ensuring strategic visibility and decision-making support.
• Manage vendor relationships and third-party service providers.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to IT governance, data privacy, and security standards.
• Maintain documentation and audit trails for all projects.
• Support change management and user adoption strategies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in IT project management, with 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing complex IT projects (e.g., cloud migration, ERP implementation, software development).
• Strong knowledge of Agile, Scrum, and traditional project management methodologies.
• PMP, PMI-ACP, or SAFe certification is highly desirable.

Key Competencies:

• Technical Project Leadership
• Agile & Scrum Expertise
• IT Governance & Risk Management
• Budgeting & Resource Allocation
• Stakeholder Communication
• Strategic Thinking & Execution