About IO
IO is a flexible remote organisation with its origins in Cape Town. We conceptualise, design, build and scale meaningful, viable, digital products. We collectively work on client and startup projects which makes work at IO exciting, dynamic and agile, launching about 3 - 4 digital products per year. We are committed to modern methodologies and team structures, putting our people first.
IO has a team-based culture that values leadership, teamwork, and effective communication. We trust in team outcomes rather than micro-management.
About the role
We are looking for a product-focused Technical Project Manager with an Agile background to join IO.
Role: Agile Project Manager
Team: Product Development
Skill Level: Mid-Senior
Leadership: Senior Project Manager, COO, CEO
Our ideal candidate is...
A people-person who is respectful towards their peers and clients
A self-starter who works of their own volition
A strong communicator, well-spoken and articulate
Patient, collaborative and transparent with their teams and stakeholders
Client-centric and understands that if our clients and startups succeed, we also do
Pragmatic and logical in their workflows
Resilient and works with grit and determination
Is not afraid to do the hard work in order to succeed
Well-versed in startup culture and practices
Our ideal candidate has…
A background in both modern and traditional project management practices
Strong work ethics and values and can advocate these to their team
Worked on an Agile team with a solid understanding of the Scrum methodology
A product-focused approach and solid understanding of the product life cycle
4 or more years of experience in project or digital project management
A technical background (or worked as a developer before)
Experience in leading and facilitating teams
The ability to own a product (when required); or have a deep understanding of the role and its responsibilities
Knowledge of team dynamics and can steer a team through ups and downs
Knowledge of the web development environment (from design and UX to development and DevOps)
Knowledge of tooling and SaaS platforms, specifically ClickUp (or similar like Jira), GitLab, Google Workspace, Slack and Figma (as a user)
Knowledge of technical architecture and terminology of cloud-based applications and systems
The ability to maintain project time frames, budget estimates and status reports
Experience in documenting, scoping, and problem-solving technical parameters of software projects to present to stakeholders
The ability to research and evaluate new hardware and software technology, and help make decisions based on project requirements
Responsibilities of the role
Understand, practice and facilitate Scrum events using the Scrum methodology
Product backlog management (through collaboration with the Product Owner, Client or Entrepreneur)
Bi-weekly Sprint planning with the product development team and communicating the plan internally and externally
Product backlog grooming (through collaboration with the Product Owner, Client or Entrepreneur)
Ticket/task grooming with product development teams
Ensure that the goals, scope and product are understood by every member of the team
Impart the understanding of product planning
Monitor the Product Owner's product backlog activity
Collaborate with the product development teams to set clear achievable Sprint goals
Communicate progress regularly to the Product Owner, Client or Entrepreneur
Build an informative relationship with the Product Owner, Client or Entrepreneur
Facilitate workshops
Communicate project impediments to the team and ensure they are removed or dealt with
Collaborate with IO's PeopleOps team to help development teams through one-on-one meetings and competency models/reviews
Collaborate with IO's Ops team to improve processes across the organisation
Collaborate with other project managers to improve project efficiency and metrics
Collaborate with IO's CEO and COO for updates across teams and projects
Promote and facilitate DevOps practices to streamline development and operations
Utilise data and metrics to guide project decisions and measure success
Provide oversight and review testing and validation processes to ensure the final product is robust and aligns with technical specifications
Work with technical teams to identify potential security and technical risks and develop mitigation strategies
Obtain a strong understanding of the technical aspects within a project, including relevant technologies, tools, programming languages, and methodologies
Our expectations
Above all else, we value an attitude of lifelong self-learning
An attitude of openness to keep learning is more important than fancy qualifications
We are looking for highly motivated individuals who are willing to be part of a growing company
You must display a continuous willingness to learn and grow as a team player
We expect you to take full ownership of your work, and to be a reliable team member especially when production issues arise
You need to display coping skills when it comes to complexity and tight deadlines
We are remote
As a remote organisation, we need you to support yourself as a remote employee. IO will provide you with a high-quality MacBook, and you need to ensure you have the following in place:
The ability to keep yourself online for a minimum of 2.5 hours during IO's core work hours (SA only)
A workspace where you can work undisturbed and be productive
A neat, tidy area for video calls
A high-speed, stable internet connection
Why join us?
We are a close-knit, supportive, and kind team
We are proud of what we build, and we believe in our products
We build great products and startups with a fantastic and highly skilled team
We focus on standards, quality, and efficiency
We stay ahead of the curve
We are remote and flexible
We believe in continuous improvement
We don't micro-manage
We have a flat but mutually respectful structure
We want to assist you to grow at all times
Our work principles
At IO we pride ourselves on our ability to stay current while adopting modern methodologies to achieve the best possible results for our clients and teams.
Principle #1: Customer Value = Business Value
We are invested in the success of our client's products.
Principle #2: Work in short cycles
Short work cycles allow us to quickly learn from our actions.
Principle #3: Hold regular open retrospectives
We use regular retrospectives to improve our performance.
Principle #4: Go and See
We observe, learn and share.
Principle #5: Fast and Flexible
We quickly identify what we need to know.
Principle #6: Work as a modern, balanced team
We empower and trust our teams to work with autonomy.
Principle #7: Radical Transparency
To produce the best possible work, everyone needs to be on the same page.
Principle #8: Celebrate Achievements
We provide regular incentives and celebrate exceptional work.
Principle #9: Make learning a first-class citizen of your backlog
Learning is part of our product development process.
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