Lead Project Manager, Software Development

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first culture

Development budget for training

Profit-sharing opportunities

Health and wellness benefits

Flexible work hours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Lead Project Manager to steer software development initiatives from its Centurion base. You will guide end-to-end projects, mentor junior PMs, and drive Agile practices across product, engineering, and QA teams to deliver high-quality software products.

The role requires a strong track record in software project leadership, hands-on with SDLC and Jira/Confluence, and the ability to thrive in a remote-first environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in project management with at least 5 years in software development leadership.
• Proven track record delivering complex software from concept to launch.
• Expertise in Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and SDLC.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with Jira, Confluence or similar PM tools.
• PMP, CSM or Agile coaching certifications are advantageous.
• Ability to thrive in a remote-first work environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end lifecycle of software development projects, ensuring delivery within scope, time, and budget constraints.
• Mentor, coach, and manage a team of project managers, fostering their professional growth and development.
• Define and implement software project management best practices, including Agile (Scrum, Kanban) methodologies.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering leads, and QA teams to define project scope, technical requirements, and resource allocation.
• Facilitate effective communication and alignment among all project stakeholders, including clients, development teams, and senior management.
• Proactively identify, assess, and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies, implementing mitigation strategies.
• Oversee the release planning and execution process, ensuring smooth deployments and post-release support coordination.
• Drive continuous improvement in development processes and project management workflows.
• Manage client expectations and ensure high levels of satisfaction for delivered software solutions.
• Contribute to strategic planning and portfolio management of software development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Remote leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Master's degree in CS/Software Engineering

PM certification (PMP/CSM)

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding software house, is searching for an accomplished Lead Project Manager to guide their software development initiatives from their Centurion, Gauteng base. This is a critical role responsible for overseeing multiple software development projects, ensuring timely delivery, quality assurance, and stakeholder satisfaction. The Lead Project Manager will mentor junior project managers, drive best practices in software development project management, and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. You will work closely with product owners, engineering teams, and business stakeholders to translate requirements into successful, high-quality software products. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our client's software offerings and contribute to their continued growth. The role requires a strong understanding of software development lifecycles and agile methodologies. We are looking for a visionary leader who can inspire teams and deliver exceptional outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the end-to-end lifecycle of software development projects, ensuring delivery within scope, time, and budget constraints.


• Mentor, coach, and manage a team of project managers, fostering their professional growth and development.


• Define and implement software project management best practices, including Agile (Scrum, Kanban) methodologies.


• Collaborate closely with Product Management, Engineering leads, and QA teams to define project scope, technical requirements, and resource allocation.


• Facilitate effective communication and alignment among all project stakeholders, including clients, development teams, and senior management.


• Proactively identify, assess, and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies, implementing mitigation strategies.


• Oversee the release planning and execution process, ensuring smooth deployments and post-release support coordination.


• Drive continuous improvement in development processes and project management workflows.


• Manage client expectations and ensure high levels of satisfaction for delivered software solutions.


• Contribute to strategic planning and portfolio management of software development initiatives.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.


• 10+ years of experience in project management, with at least 5 years specifically in software development project leadership.


• Proven track record of successfully leading multiple complex software development projects from conception to launch.


• Expertise in Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and experience with SDLC.


• Strong technical background or a deep understanding of software development principles.


• Excellent leadership, communication, team-building, and conflict-resolution skills.


• Experience with project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, or similar.


• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, resources, and stakeholder expectations effectively.


• PMP, CSM, or Agile coaching certifications are highly advantageous.


• Ability to thrive in a remote-first work environment.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary of R .


• Full remote work flexibility.


• Generous professional development budget for training and certifications.


• Opportunity to lead innovative software projects and shape product roadmaps.


• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.


• Performance-based bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities.


• A vibrant and inclusive remote work culture.


• Contribution to cutting-edge technology solutions.