Senior Project Manager, Software Development

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Paid leave & holidays

Training & certifications

Stellenbosch office

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Project Manager for its Stellenbosch technology client. You will lead cross‑functional software initiatives, ensuring delivery within scope, budget, and schedule.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in PM with at least 4 years in software development, deep SDLC and agile expertise, and strong leadership. The role emphasizes hands‑on project leadership in a fast‑paced tech environment in Stellenbosch.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in project management with 4+ years software development focus.
• Proven track record delivering complex software on time and budget.
• Strong understanding of SDLC and agile methods.
• Experience managing budgets above R5 million.

Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle of software development projects from requirements to deployment.
• Develop detailed project plans with scope, timelines, resources and budgets.
• Mentor software teams and foster a collaborative environment.
• Identify and mitigate project risks and issues.
• Ensure clear communication with clients, executives and teams.
• Oversee agile adoption (Scrum/Kanban) and best practices.
• Manage vendor relationships and third‑party integrations.
• Conduct post‑mortems and implement lessons learned.
• Ensure quality and timely delivery of software products.
• Drive process improvements within PM and development teams.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk mitigation

Agile methodologies

Team management

Project planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Engineering

Master's degree (advantage)

Tools

Jira

Confluence

MS Project

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned technology firm in **Stellenbosch**, is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Project Manager to lead critical software development initiatives. This role demands extensive experience in managing complex software projects from inception to deployment, ensuring delivery within scope, budget, and timeline. You will be responsible for leading cross-functional teams, stakeholder management, risk mitigation, and ensuring the adoption of best practices in software development methodologies. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background, exceptional leadership qualities, and a proven ability to navigate the challenges of the tech industry in a hands-on capacity.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of software development projects, from requirement gathering to deployment and post-launch support.
• Develop detailed project plans, including scope, timelines, resource allocation, and budget.
• Lead and mentor software development teams, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks and issues, implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Ensure clear and consistent communication with all stakeholders, including clients, executives, and team members.
• Oversee the implementation of agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban) and best practices.
• Manage vendor relationships and third‑party integrations as needed.
• Conduct project reviews and post‑mortem analyses to identify lessons learned.
• Ensure the quality and timely delivery of software products.
• Contribute to process improvements within the project management and software development teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; a Master's degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in project management, with at least 4 years focused on software development projects.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex software solutions on time and within budget.
• Deep understanding of software development lifecycles (SDLC) and agile methodologies.
• Experience managing projects with budgets exceeding R5 million.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, and MS Project.
• Experience with requirements management and QA processes.
• PMP, Prince2, or relevant Agile certifications are highly desirable.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary of R .
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Generous annual leave and paid holidays.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development, including training and certifications.
• State-of-the-art office facilities in **Stellenbosch**.
• Performance‑based bonuses and incentives.
• Dynamic and collaborative work culture.
• Exposure to cutting‑edge software development projects.