Project Manager (Intermediate)

Paracon; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Paracon in Cape Town is seeking a senior Project Manager who transitions from software development to PM. You will drive planning, execution, and governance, leading cross-functional teams to deliver IT projects on time and within budget.

You will manage stakeholders, budgets, and risks, while enforcing quality standards and continuous improvement. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• IT degree or diploma mandatory.
• PM certification (PMP or equivalent) preferred.
• 5–8 years IT experience with at least 5 years in software development.
• Experience across SDLC from concept to deployment.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning, scope, deliverables, timelines, and budget.
• Direct project teams to achieve milestones on time and within budget.
• Monitor progress, identify risks, and implement corrective actions.
• Manage stakeholders, provide regular updates, and align with objectives.
• Allocate resources and manage cross-functional coordination.
• Ensure quality assurance and post-project reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Multi-project management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

MS Office

Agile & Scrum

JIRA & Confluence

Stakeholder management

Budget management

Education

IT Degree or Diploma

PMP certification

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software development followed by a successful transition into project management. The role will ideally be Cape Town based.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE:

Project Planning and Execution:

• Develop project plans, including scope, goals, deliverables, timelines, resources, and budget.
• Lead project teams to execute plans effectively, ensuring milestones are met on time and within budget.
• Monitor and report on project progress, identifying risks and taking corrective actions as needed.

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, including clients, team members, and third-party vendors.
• Communicate project updates, risks, and issues to stakeholders in a clear and timely manner.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and ensure alignment with project objectives.

Resource Management:

• Allocate resources effectively to ensure project tasks are completed efficiently.
• Coordinate with department managers to assign appropriate team members to project tasks.
• Manage resource conflicts and resolve any issues that may arise during project execution.
• Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies to minimize their impact.
• Proactively manage risks throughout the project lifecycle, monitoring for new risks and adjusting plans as necessary.

Quality Assurance:

• Ensure that project deliverables meet quality standards and customer expectations.
• Implement quality assurance processes and procedures to validate project outcomes.

Budget Management:

• Develop and manage project budgets, tracking expenses and ensuring that projects are delivered within budget.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
• Provide leadership and guidance to project team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Motivate team members to achieve project goals and overcome challenges.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback to team members as needed.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices to optimize project management processes.
• Conduct post-project reviews to capture lessons learned and apply them to future projects.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• IT Degree or Diploma
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or another recognized project management certification
• Minimum 5 to 8 years of experience in the IT industry, with at least 5 years focused on software development.
• Demonstrate experience and sound knowledge of the system development lifecycle processes and methods from business concept to deployment stages.
• Experience working in the Financial Services or Insurance industry is a significant advantage.
• Sound experience working with stakeholders at different levels across organisations/divisions; both on-shore and off-shore, face-to-face and remote.
• Demonstrate experience in applying industry-standard project management methodologies and processes. Working in an Agile environment, with knowledge of the Scrum method strongly preferred.
• Experience in using JIRA, and Confluence.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Strong understanding of project management methodologies, such as Agile or Waterfall.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Well-honed MS Office skills.
• Agile and Scrum Method and Tool experience (JIRA, JIRA Portfolio and Confluence suggested).
• Interpersonal skills
• Financial and business acumen.
• Foster and support the Agile approach.
• Demonstrate a growth mindset in support of the Agile values and company culture: Trust, Respect, Collaborative, Self-organisation, Adapt, Transparent, Courage, Focus, Openness, Servant Leadership.
• Understands architectural considerations in order to effectively factor them into planning, decisions and recommendations and effectively communicate.
• Ability to identify project implications based on an understanding of systems, processes and business.

COMPETENCIES

• Drives results
• Client Focus
• Flexible and adaptable
• Relating and networking.
• Applying expertise and technology
• Project Oversight, Planning, Project Management Tools, Project Tracking and Reporting, Project Portfolio Management