Software Development Manager

BOSS Professional Services (Pty) Ltd; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking technology organisation is looking for a Software Development Manager to oversee an agile team and manage the full software development lifecycle. This position is critical in aligning business objectives with technical delivery and fostering a culture of collaboration and performance within the team.

Benefits

Fast-paced, dynamic startup environment

Collaborative team culture

Exposure to modern tech stack and innovative business model

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on software development experience.
• At least 2 years in a technical leadership role.
• Experience with hybrid teams and driving Agile practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the full software development lifecycle for web and mobile products.
• Refine Agile processes, ensuring clarity across teams.
• Mentor and develop a small team of developers and testers.

Skills

Agile principles

Software development

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Tools

Azure

React/Next.js

Flutter

C#

Job description

Our client, a forward-thinking technology organisation with a globally scalable product vision, is seeking an accomplished Software Development Manager to oversee and expand a focused, agile development team. This position serves as a critical link between business objectives and technical implementation, ensuring efficient coordination and delivery across both internal and external resources.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing the full development lifecycle, promoting technical excellence, and cultivating a culture of collaboration and high performance within the team.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) for web and mobile products.
• Own and continuously refine Agile processes (Scrum/Kanban), including sprint planning, backlog grooming, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.
• Ensure the product backlog is well-defined, prioritised, and up to date, aligning with business goals.
• Communicate priorities, timelines, and any changes to all stakeholders, ensuring clarity across business, product, and development teams.
• Oversee the integration and collaboration of in-house and outsourced team members, fostering shared ownership and clear communication.
• Mentor, coach, and develop a small, experienced team of developers and testers, conducting regular performance reviews and career development conversations.
• Identify and resolve delivery issues, removing blockers to maintain momentum and quality.
• Represent the development team in cross-functional meetings, acting as the primary liaison between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to coding standards, security best practices, and quality assurance processes.
• Monitor and report on project progress, team performance, and system health using shared dashboards and metrics.
• Participate in technical architecture discussions and, where appropriate, contribute hands-on to code reviews or development.

Required Skills and Experience

• 5+ years of hands-on software development experience, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership or management role.
• Proven track record managing Agile teams and driving successful sprint delivery and release cycles.
• Deep understanding of Agile principles and real-world implementation in startup or small team environments.
• Experience managing hybrid teams (in-house and outsourced), with an ability to bridge time zones and cultures effectively.
• Strong technical background in relevant technologies: Azure, React/Next.js, Flutter, and C#.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate business requirements into technical deliverables and vice versa.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Experience conducting performance reviews and supporting career development.
• Familiarity with cloud deployment, web/mobile development lifecycles, and DevOps practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with both startup and enterprise environments.
• Prior experience scaling teams and processes in a fast-growing organisation.
• Knowledge of best practices for integrating outsourced development resources.

Why join

• Fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
• Opportunity to shape and scale a high-impact product from the ground up.
• Collaborative, supportive team culture.
• Exposure to a modern tech stack and innovative business model.

Reports to: CEO

Direct reports: Software developers, QA/testers (both in-house and outsourced).