Lead Project Manager - Software Development (Remote First)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Flexible hours

Health insurance

Home office budget

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Project Manager to drive software development initiatives in a fully remote-first setup. You will guide projects from ideation to deployment, aligning with business strategy and product goals.

The candidate will lead distributed teams, uphold agile practices, and champion high-quality software delivery. Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in project management with 5+ years in software development, strong remote leadership skills, and familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field is required.
• 8+ years of project management experience, with 5+ years in software development projects.
• Proven track record leading remote development teams.
• Strong knowledge of Agile (Scrum/Kanban) and SDLC.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management for remote work.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) is a plus.
• PMP/CSM/SAFe certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end management of software development projects, ensuring timely and budget-conscious delivery.
• Define project scope, objectives and deliverables with product owners and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project plans, roadmaps and schedules using agile methods.
• Lead and mentor cross-functional software teams in a remote environment.
• Manage resources, dependencies and risk mitigation.
• Facilitate effective communication channels for remote teams and stakeholders.
• Track progress and provide status reports; champion best practices in PM, CI/CD, reviews and testing.
• Drive continuous improvement in the software development process.

Skills

Leadership

Remote team leadership

Agile / Scrum / Kanban

Stakeholder management

Communication

SDLC knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a rapidly expanding technology firm looking for a dedicated and visionary Lead Project Manager to spearhead their software development initiatives. This is a fully remote-first position, offering unparalleled flexibility and the opportunity to collaborate with a globally distributed team. You will be instrumental in guiding complex software projects from conception through to successful deployment, ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives. This role demands a leader who can inspire development teams, foster innovation, and maintain rigorous project standards in a virtual environment. You will be responsible for the overall success of the software development lifecycle, driving efficiency and delivering high-quality products that meet market demands. The ideal candidate thrives in a remote setting, possesses exceptional communication skills, and has a deep understanding of software development processes and project management best practices. We are committed to building a team that embraces the advantages of remote work and delivers exceptional results for our client.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end management of software development projects, ensuring timely and budget-conscious delivery.
• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with product owners and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, roadmaps, and schedules using agile methodologies.
• Lead and mentor cross-functional software development teams, fostering a collaborative and productive remote work environment.
• Manage resource allocation, identify dependencies, and proactively mitigate project risks.
• Facilitate effective communication channels for remote teams, ensuring clear understanding and alignment.
• Track project progress using relevant tools and provide regular, insightful status reports to stakeholders.
• Champion best practices in software development project management, including CI/CD, code reviews, and testing strategies.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure effective communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the software development process.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in project management, with at least 5 years specifically focused on software development projects.
• Demonstrated experience leading remote development teams.
• In-depth knowledge of Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban) and tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence).
• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and various programming languages/technologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills tailored for a remote setting.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects with competing priorities.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.
• Certification such as PMP, CSM, or SAFe is highly preferred.
• A proactive, self-motivated individual comfortable working independently in a remote environment.

Benefits

• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• Highly competitive salary and performance bonuses.
• Generous health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Opportunities for significant professional growth and career advancement.
• Budget for home office setup and ongoing professional development.
• Collaborative and innovative company culture that values remote contributions.
• Chance to work on groundbreaking software products impacting a global market.

We support the **George, Western Cape, ZA** based talent pool through this remote opportunity.