At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software projects and manage a remote development team while ensuring technical excellence.
- 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.
Company: Planet Education Networks (PEN Group)
Salary Range: £43,000 - £48,000 Per Annum
Employment Type: Full-Time
Working Days & Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Location: On-Site, Canary Wharf, London
About the Role
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
- ~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 - Remote Working 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 - Remote Working in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at PEN Group or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Since this role requires a solid understanding of software development, be ready to discuss your past projects and how you’ve tackled challenges in coding and project management.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and delivered projects. Highlight your ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Project Manager - Remote Working in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Development Background:Make sure to highlight your experience as a software developer in your application. We want to see how your coding skills have shaped your journey into project management, so don’t hold back on those details!
Tailor Your Application:Take the time to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your past experiences align with what we’re looking for at PEN Group.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your points are easy to understand and get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at PEN Group
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Since this role requires a solid understanding of software development, make sure you brush up on your coding knowledge. Be prepared to discuss your past projects in detail, especially the technical challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Bridge the Gap
As a Software Project Manager, you'll need to communicate effectively with both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, so you can demonstrate your ability to act as a bridge between these groups.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience managing teams, especially remote ones. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects, resolved conflicts, and motivated your team to meet deadlines. This will show that you're not just a techie but also a capable leader.
✨Prepare for AI Discussions
With a strong emphasis on AI integration in the role, be ready to discuss your thoughts on AI tools and their applications in software development. Familiarise yourself with current trends and be prepared to share your insights on how AI can enhance user experiences.
