Lead Project Manager - Software Development Lifecycle

Placements24; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + annual bonuses

Medical aid and pension fund

Professional growth & training

Cape Town office location

Latest tools & technologies

Employee wellness programs

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Project Manager in Cape Town to steer software development projects from concept through deployment and support. You will set roadmaps, manage timelines, allocate resources, and deliver high-quality solutions aligned with client expectations.

You will lead cross-functional teams, ensure SDLC best practices (Agile/Scrum, Kanban), and report progress to stakeholders. On-site role with opportunities to drive strategic product innovation.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years of progressive project management experience in software development.
• Proven track record delivering complex software projects from inception to completion.
• Agile/Scrum expertise; Scrum Master certification is a plus.
• Strong SDLC understanding and leadership with conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; engaging presentations to non-technical audiences.
• Proficient with PM tools such as Jira, Confluence and Trello.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Information Technology required.
• Willingness to work full-time on-site in Cape Town, Western Cape.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end software development projects within schedule and budget.
• Define scope, goals and deliverables with senior management and stakeholders.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules and budgets.
• Lead and mentor cross-functional teams of developers, QA, designers, and analysts.
• Facilitate cross-department collaboration and stakeholder communication.
• Identify risks and dependencies; implement proactive mitigation strategies.
• Ensure adherence to Agile/Scrum and Kanban methodologies.
• Track progress and provide regular status reports to stakeholders.
• Conduct post-mortems to extract lessons and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Project leadership

Agile methodologies

Stakeholder management

Communication

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Information Technology

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Trello

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing tech innovator headquartered in Cape Town, Western Cape, is seeking an accomplished Lead Project Manager to spearhead their software development projects. This pivotal role involves guiding project teams through the entire Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), from initial concept and requirements gathering to deployment and post-launch support. You will be responsible for defining project roadmaps, managing timelines, allocating resources effectively, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality software solutions that meet market demands and client expectations. This is an on-site role based in vibrant Cape Town, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the company's strategic vision and product innovation. If you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and have a passion for building exceptional software products, this position is for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end management of software development projects, adhering to strict deadlines and quality standards.
• Define project scope, goals, and deliverables in collaboration with senior management and stakeholders.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Lead and mentor project teams comprising developers, QA engineers, designers, and business analysts.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among team members and across departments.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks and dependencies, implementing proactive solutions.
• Ensure adherence to best practices in software development methodologies (Agile/Scrum, Kanban).
• Track project progress, provide regular status reports, and manage stakeholder expectations.
• Conduct project post-mortems to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of progressive experience in project management within a software development context.
• Demonstrated success in leading complex software development projects from inception to completion.
• Expertise in Agile methodologies (Scrum Master certification is a plus).
• Strong understanding of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
• Excellent leadership, team management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Trello).
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Willingness to work full-time on-site in Cape Town, Western Cape.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with potential for annual bonuses.
• Generous medical aid and pension fund contributions.
• Opportunities for professional growth, training, and attending industry conferences.
• Vibrant office culture in a prime Cape Town location.
• Access to the latest software development tools and technologies.
• Collaborative work environment with a focus on innovation.
• Significant project impact and career advancement potential.
• Employee wellness programs.