Senior Project Manager - Software Development & QA

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible remote work

Performance bonuses

Medical & retirement benefits

Paid time off

Learning & development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead software development and QA teams in a fully remote role across South Africa. You will drive the entire SDLC from requirements through post-release support, using Agile/Scrum practices to deliver high-quality software and manage distributed teams.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in project management with a strong software focus, certifications (CSM/CSPO/PMP) valued, and excellent stakeholder management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field.
• Minimum 8 years of project management experience, with ≥5 years in software projects.
• Proven success leading Agile software teams across multiple projects.
• Expertise in Agile/Scrum; relevant certifications (CSM/CSPO/PMP) highly valued.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, SDLC, and QA methods.
• Experience leading fully remote distributed teams.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Jira/Confluence/Azure DevOps and SDLC tools.
• Experience managing client expectations in a service-oriented model.
• Legally authorized to work in South Africa; comfortable working remotely.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage software development projects using Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).
• Oversee planning, execution, and delivery of releases within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Manage full SDLC: requirements, design, development, testing, deployment, maintenance.
• Direct and mentor cross‑functional remote software and QA teams.
• Identify, assess, and manage risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Facilitate stakeholder communication across internal teams and clients.
• Implement and refine development and QA processes for quality improvement.
• Monitor progress, provide status updates, and maintain project documentation.
• Ensure high-quality software delivery meeting customer expectations.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Scrum

Kanban

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Remote team management

Jira

Confluence

Azure DevOps

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Azure DevOps

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing software solutions provider, is seeking an accomplished Senior Project Manager to lead their software development and quality assurance teams. This is a fully remote position, offering flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be responsible for overseeing the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC), from requirements gathering and planning to development, testing, deployment, and post-release support. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in Agile methodologies, a deep understanding of software engineering principles, and a proven ability to manage complex projects and high-performing, distributed teams. This is a critical role driving the delivery of innovative software products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage software development projects using Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).
• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of software releases, ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, and budget.
• Manage the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Direct and mentor cross-functional software development and QA teams, fostering a collaborative and productive remote work environment.
• Identify, assess, and manage project risks, issues, and dependencies.
• Facilitate effective communication and stakeholder management across internal teams and with clients.
• Implement and refine development and QA processes to improve efficiency and product quality.
• Monitor project progress, provide regular status updates, and manage project documentation.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality software solutions that meet or exceed customer expectations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in project management, with at least 5 years focused on software development projects.
• Demonstrated success in leading Agile software development teams and managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Expertise in Agile/Scrum frameworks and practices, with certifications such as CSM, CSPO, or PMP highly valued.
• Strong understanding of software architecture, development processes, and quality assurance methodologies.
• Proven experience managing fully remote teams and distributed development efforts.
• Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps) and SDLC tools.
• Experience managing client expectations and software delivery in a service-oriented model is a plus.
• Must be legally authorized to work in South Africa and comfortable working autonomously remotely.

Benefits

This fully remote opportunity offers a highly competitive salary, commensurate with experience, plus significant performance-based bonuses. Our client provides comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, along with generous paid time off. Opportunities for continuous learning, skill development, and advancement within a growing tech company are abundant. Enjoy the ultimate flexibility of working from any location in South Africa, supported by advanced collaboration tools and a strong virtual team culture. This role is ideal for innovators seeking to shape the future of software from East London or anywhere in the country.