Senior Project Manager

twentysix; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Enterprise Solutions seeks a Project Manager with commerce experience and a technical background to lead complex eCommerce projects in South Africa. You will drive Agile delivery, manage budgets, align with stakeholders, and mentor junior PMs while partnering with senior leaders.

The role emphasizes client-focused solutions, strong communication in English, and a hybrid work model with four in-office days per week.

Qualifications

• Proven software development Project Management experience.
• eCommerce experience, ideally within a retail environment.
• Understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and release management.
• Ability to define, manage, and deliver to customer expectations within strict deadlines.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity, embrace and react to change with enthusiasm and critical thinking.
• Experience leading and managing teams at different stages of the team lifecycle.
• Experience with modern software development practices.
• Strong understanding of agile delivery techniques and lean ways of working.
• Experience managing people and financial budgets (including project budgeting, monitoring financials, reporting).
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Packages, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint.
• Solid time management & organizational skills.
• Excellent negotiation skills and an ability to handle sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy.
• Relevant Project Management qualifications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex projects using Agile or Waterfall methodologies.
• Provide solutions to issues and blockers to maintain workflow.
• Produce status reporting on milestones, risks, and issues for stakeholders.
• Manage multiple workstreams and ensure output quality.
• Coordinate interdependencies between workstreams.
• Mentor junior project managers and improve processes.
• Guide delivery timelines and resource planning.
• Maintain relationships with senior management and sponsors.
• Deliver first-class solutions by understanding client needs.
• Set client expectations and handle escalations diplomatically.
• Chair reviews with multi-stakeholder requirements.
• Stay updated with industry practices.

Skills

Agile delivery

eCommerce experience

SDLC knowledge

Budget management

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

English proficiency

Problem solving

Modern software practices

Education

BA/BS degree

Project Management qualifications (PMP/PRINCE2)

Tools

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Job description

Who We Are

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

Please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

Project Manager with Commerce experience and a technical background required to join our eCommerce Team in South Africa.

The opportunity

We look for an experienced Project Manager who leads teams to deliver high-quality, complex projects on budget and within a specified timeframe to achieve the potential benefits defined in the business case. You will work closely with the Programme Manager/Account Director to achieve productivity goals and contribute to the organisation’s overall success.

What you’ll be doing

• Effectively run complex projects using Agile or Waterfall methodologies

• Support the efficient flow of work by providing solutions to issues and blockers

• Produce accurate status reporting regarding project milestones, deliverables, risks, and issues, communicating to various audiences including key stakeholders and sponsors

• Manage several workstreams successfully, ensuring the teams understand what is expected of them in terms of output and quality

• Manage the interdependencies between the various workstreams

• Inspire and lead teams with little Agile experience, suggesting process and practical improvements as appropriate

• Motivate teams to achieve individual and team objectives, to deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timeframes

• Focus on improving delivery processes

• Provide support to Junior Project Managers within your account

• Review and update the project resource plan on a regular basis, keeping tight control of project budgets

• Foster close relationships with senior management and business stakeholders, and be seen as a credible, reliable expert

• Develop customer confidence by understanding their needs and delivering first-class solutions

• Set and manage client expectations, including resolving client escalations with diplomacy

• Chair meetings/reviews with multiple stakeholder requirements

• Keep up to date with emerging industry practices

What we want from you

• Proven software development Project Management experience

• eCommerce experience, ideally within a retail environment

• A good understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and release management

• Ability to define, manage, and deliver to customer expectations within strict deadlines

• Ability to deal with ambiguity, embrace and react to change with enthusiasm and critical thinking

• Experience leading and managing teams at different stages of the team’s lifecycle

• Experience with modern software development practices

• Strong understanding of agile delivery techniques and lean ways of working

• Experience managing people and financial budgets (including project budgeting, monitoring financials, reporting, etc.)

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Packages, especially MS Excel and MS PowerPoint

• Solid time management & organisational skills

• Excellent negotiation skills and an ability to handle sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy

• Relevant Project Management qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English

If you know some of this, even better

• BA/BS degree with a major in information management, marketing, communications, business, or other closely related areas is an advantage

What we can offer you

Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we’ll also prioritise your career development and help you grow your skills. We’ll empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are.

How we use AI in the recruitment process: To ensure more focused and engaging conversations, we leverage AI in our recruitment process exclusively for secure, objective note-taking, never for evaluative judgments. This allows our team to be fully present with you. You are always welcome to request a transcript of these notes or opt out of this feature at any time. Opting out will not impact the outcome of the interview process.

At WPP Enterprise Solutions

WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where Al is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernisation, connecting strategy directly to execution.

Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX, work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets. WPP Enterprise Solutions works alongside best-in-class partners including Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Shopify, as well as innovators in AI, to deliver growth solutions tailored to the needs of our clients’ businesses. We have received distinction as a leader in Commerce Services and CX Strategy Consulting by the Forrester Wave™

To find out more, visit enterprisesolutions.wpp.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

WPP Enterprise Solutions is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

#LI-EMEA

We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in your careers.