Senior Project Manager

SPAN Digital; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 800 000 - 1 100 000; Full time

Job summary

A premium software consultancy in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead complex software development projects. The role involves collaborating with distributed teams and stakeholders, ensuring quality, timelines, and business objectives are met. Candidates should have over 7 years of project management experience in software environments and a strong understanding of agile methodologies. This position offers a hybrid work model and a culture focused on collaboration, growth, and innovation.

Benefits

Continuous learning opportunities

Mentorship culture

Competitive compensation and benefits

Qualifications

• 7+ years of project management experience in software engineering environments.
• Proven track record managing multiple concurrent projects successfully.
• Strong understanding of agile methodologies, Scrum Master certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute multiple concurrent software development projects.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Lead, motivate, and facilitate distributed project teams across time zones.

Skills

Exceptional communication skills

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving skills

Strategic thinking

Emotional intelligence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field

Tools

JIRA

Google Drive

Pipedrive Projects

Job description

About SPAN Digital

SPAN Digital is a premium software consultancy delivering world-class custom software solutions to technology, fintech, and digital media clients. With offices in San Francisco, Cape Town, and Guadalajara, we combine technical excellence with strong client partnerships to build solutions that drive real business value.

Our culture is built on collaboration, continuous growth, and delivering exceptional results. We believe in empowering our people, fostering innovation, and creating an environment where talented professionals thrive.

The Role

We're seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead and coordinate the successful delivery of complex custom software development projects. You'll work collaboratively with distributed engineering teams, client stakeholders, and internal leadership to drive goal-oriented initiatives from inception through delivery—ensuring projects meet quality standards, timelines, and business objectives while fostering positive team culture.

This role combines strategic project leadership with hands-on delivery management. You'll manage multiple concurrent projects, mentor team members, and contribute to organizational project management excellence while building trusted relationships with clients.

What You'll Do

Lead Project Delivery

• Plan and execute multiple concurrent software development projects from initiation through closure
• Adapt and apply agile methodologies to fit project needs and organizational contexts
• Remove impediments, facilitate team commitment, and drive high productivity across distributed teams
• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards and exceed client expectations
• Proactively identify and manage project risks, implement change control, and resolve blockers

Manage Stakeholder Relationships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders as a trusted advisor
• Set and manage expectations by aligning projects to business goals
• Communicate project status, milestones, risks, and delivery challenges transparently
• Provide specialist advice on project approach, methodology, and best practices
• Facilitate collaboration between internal engineering teams and external customers

Drive Team Success

• Lead, motivate, and facilitate distributed project teams across time zones
• Create environments where team members feel empowered to share ideas and concerns openly
• Mentor team members on delivery management and support their career growth
• Foster positive team culture and help engineers achieve professional development goals
• Balance and allocate team capacity across operational support, maintenance, and new development

Ensure Business Value

• Align project deliverables to business objectives and ensure solutions address real business problems
• Work with stakeholders to elicit, document, and manage requirements effectively
• Define and track success metrics that demonstrate business value and ROI
• Manage project budgets, track expenditures, and ensure financial objectives are met
• Contribute to account growth through excellence in delivery and relationship management

Contribute to Organizational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement of project management processes and practices
• Share knowledge, document lessons learned, and establish best practices
• Stay current with SDLC best practices, emerging methodologies, and PM innovations
• Manage project artifacts in tools like JIRA, Google Drive, and Pipedrive Projects

Who You Are

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 7+ years of project management experience in software engineering environments
• Proven track record managing multiple concurrent projects successfully
• Strong understanding of agile methodologies (Scrum Master certification preferred)
• Experience managing distributed/remote teams across time zones
• Demonstrated ability to manage project budgets and deliver within financial constraints
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Essential Skills

• Exceptional communication skills—able to bridge technical and business perspectives
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities
• Excellent problem-solving skills with ability to navigate ambiguity
• Strategic thinking with attention to operational detail
• Ability to lead and influence without direct authority
• High emotional intelligence and conflict resolution skills

You'll Thrive Here If You

• Are passionate about delivering exceptional client outcomes
• Excel at building trust and maintaining transparency with stakeholders
• Create collaborative environments where teams perform at their best
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities and organizational contexts
• Take ownership and accountability for project outcomes
• Continuously seek to improve processes and develop yourself and others
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution

Why SPAN Digital

Our Culture

We live by principles that guide how we work: Engage, Communicate, Collaborate, Deliver Value, Grow, Lead, Iterate, and Have Fun. We create environments where people feel safe to express themselves authentically, challenge assumptions constructively, and deliver their best work.

Professional Growth

• Work on diverse, challenging projects for leading technology clients
• Continuous learning opportunities and support for professional development
• Mentorship culture where senior leaders invest in your growth
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and methodologies

Work Environment

• Hybrid work model with flexibility, 2 days in office
• Collaborative, inclusive team culture across three continents
• Modern office space in Cape Town
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Regular team events and celebrations