At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software projects and manage a remote development team while ensuring quality delivery.
- Company: Join PEN Group, a dynamic tech company in Canary Wharf, London.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and various discounts and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values innovation and offers excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Shape impactful products across diverse industries with a focus on AI integration.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in software development and experience in project management required.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 48000 £ per year.
PEN Group is seeking an experienced Software Project Manager who began their career as a software developer and has since transitioned into delivery or product management. This is not a pure PM role — we need someone who genuinely understands code, can earn the trust of engineers, and can hold a technical conversation about architecture, performance, and trade-offs.
You will take ownership of a growing portfolio of in-house software platforms used across all businesses connected to PEN Group. You will manage a small overseas development team day-to-day from our Canary Wharf office, acting as the bridge between business stakeholders and technical delivery.
Career Profile We Are Seeking
We are specifically looking for candidates who have followed a trajectory similar to:
- 2+ years as a software developer or technical lead, writing production code
- Subsequent move into a delivery or management role: Software Project Manager, Technical Product Manager, Engineering Lead, Delivery Manager, or similar (Candidates who have only ever worked in project or product management without a prior development background will not be considered for this role. Your development experience is what will make you effective here.)
About the Projects
You will lead the development and continuous improvement of a growing suite of internal and commercial software platforms spanning multiple industries:
- EdTech platforms and education management systems
- HR and staffing management platforms
- Hospitality and operations systems
- Travel and booking-related systems
- Website builder and CRM platforms
There is a strong and growing emphasis on AI integration across all products — including workflow automation, intelligent data processing, reporting insights, and AI-assisted user experiences. Many projects will evolve from MVP stage to scalable production systems, requiring strong architectural thinking and long-term maintainability planning.
Key Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end delivery of multiple software projects simultaneously
- Day-to-day management and support of an overseas development team of engineers
- Translate business requirements into well-scoped technical tasks, epics, and milestones
- Track progress, manage risks proactively, and unblock delivery issues
- Conduct code reviews and provide technical guidance where appropriate
- Communicate clearly with both technical teams and non-technical senior stakeholders
- Ensure platforms are built to be scalable, secure, and maintainable from the outset
- Evaluate technical approaches and contribute to architectural decisions
- Define and maintain development standards, workflows, and documentation practices
Essential Requirements
- Prior Development Background (Required): Minimum 2 years of hands-on software development experience building production systems
- Proficiency in one or more modern stacks: JavaScript/TypeScript, React/Next.js, Node.js, PHP, or equivalent
- Solid understanding of relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and data modelling
- Experience shipping at least one production software platform from development through to live
Project & Team Management (Required):
- Proven experience managing software delivery from requirements through to production release
- Experience leading or coordinating a small technical team, including remote or offshore engineers
- Comfortable using project management and collaboration tools (Jira, Linear, GitHub, Notion, etc.)
- Strong planning, prioritisation, and stakeholder communication skills
Desirable (Nice to Have)
- Experience scaling products from MVP to full production with real user load
- Cloud or serverless deployment experience (AWS, GCP, Azure, or Vercel/similar)
- Database schema design and query performance optimisation
- Familiarity with AI/ML tooling or LLM integrations in production systems
- SaaS, CRM, or enterprise platform experience
- Agile or Scrum certification (though practical experience is more important to us)
Why Join PEN Group
- High level of ownership — you will shape how products are built and delivered, not just track tickets
- Work on a diverse portfolio of platforms with real business impact across multiple industries
- Collaborative culture that values technical depth and practical delivery over process for its own sake
- Competitive salary based on experience, plus Tier 2 visa sponsorship available for the right candidate
- Office based in Canary Wharf, London with a dynamic and growing team
Benefits
- Annual leave (7.2 weeks)
- Workplace pension scheme
- Company Sick Policy
- Statutory maternity/paternity pays
- Career development opportunities
- Training and self-development opportunities
- Gym membership discounts
- Retail discount schemes
- Cinema discounts
- Grocery discounts
- Cycle to work
- Investing and savings opportunities
- Financial wellbeing – personal debt advice
- Financial wellbeing education
- My Mind Pal (mental fitness)
Software Project Manager in City of London employer: PEN Group
PEN Group is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Greater London where employees are valued as the face of the organisation. With a focus on professional development and growth opportunities, staff can thrive in a supportive environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. The part-time Receptionist role not only provides meaningful engagement with students and visitors but also allows for a flexible work-life balance in a dynamic setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Project Manager in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at PEN Group. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects or contributions to open-source software, make sure to highlight them. A strong showcase of your technical background will help you stand out as a Software Project Manager.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss architecture, performance, and trade-offs. We want to see that you can hold your own in a conversation with engineers and stakeholders alike.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the PEN Group team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Project Manager in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Software Project Manager role. Highlight your development background and any relevant project management experience to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us your story! Explain how your journey from software developer to project manager has equipped you with the unique skills we’re looking for. Be genuine and let your personality shine through.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since we value a solid understanding of code, don’t shy away from mentioning specific technologies you’ve worked with. Whether it’s JavaScript, React, or cloud deployment, make sure we see your technical prowess!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at PEN Group
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Software Project Manager, you need to demonstrate your technical prowess. Brush up on the tech stack mentioned in the job description, like JavaScript, React, and Node.js. Be ready to discuss your past development experiences and how they relate to the projects you'll be managing.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed software delivery in the past. Highlight your experience with remote teams and how you’ve tackled challenges in communication and project management. Use specific metrics or outcomes to illustrate your impact.
✨Bridge the Gap Between Teams
PEN Group is looking for someone who can communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. Think of scenarios where you’ve had to translate business needs into technical tasks and be ready to share those stories.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Discuss your approach to continuous improvement and how you’ve implemented feedback loops in previous projects. Be prepared to talk about how you ensure that platforms are scalable and maintainable, and how you’ve contributed to architectural decisions in your past roles.
