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 annual leave, and various discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with strong career growth and training opportunities.
- 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 in Slough employer: PEN Group
At Planet Education Networks, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a collaborative culture that values technical expertise and practical delivery. Located in the vibrant Canary Wharf, London, our team enjoys a high level of ownership over projects, competitive salaries, and extensive benefits including generous annual leave, career development opportunities, and wellness initiatives. Join us to work on impactful software platforms across diverse industries while enjoying a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Project Manager in Slough
✨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. This is your chance to demonstrate your technical chops and how you can bridge the gap between development and management.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss architecture, performance, and trade-offs in software development. The more you can speak their language, the more they'll see you as a fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at PEN Group. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Project Manager in Slough
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. We’re looking for someone who understands both the technical and managerial sides, so make it clear how you fit that bill.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your skills and experiences that relate to the job.
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 technical concepts like architecture and performance trade-offs. This will help you earn the trust of the engineers you'll be working with.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Highlight your experience in managing software delivery from start to finish. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've led teams, tackled challenges, and ensured projects were delivered on time. Use metrics to demonstrate your success where possible.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
Practice explaining complex technical ideas in simple terms. You'll need to bridge the gap between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders, so being able to communicate effectively is key. Prepare some scenarios where you've successfully done this in the past.
✨Prepare for AI Integration Discussions
Given the emphasis on AI in the role, familiarise yourself with current trends and tools in AI/ML. Be ready to discuss how you can integrate these technologies into existing platforms and improve user experiences. Showing enthusiasm for innovation will set you apart!
