Are you passionate about orchestrating complex projects and empowering teams to achieve ambitious goals? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your meticulous planning and strategic oversight directly contribute to impactful outcomes?

About iO-Sphere

We're passionate about closing the data and AI skills gap, empowering both individuals and organisations to thrive in the future. We train bright, ambitious individuals for high-growth careers in data engineering and data analytics, equipping them with the practical skills sought by exceptional companies. Simultaneously, we partner with organisations to develop their current staff through applicable and current, expert-led AI and data training, designed to deliver tangible business impact.

For individuals, we unlock rewarding career pathways in data by breaking down financial barriers and providing hands-on commercial experience through our innovative Experience Accelerator training programs. To date, we've empowered over 400 individuals across the UK to launch successful data careers, and we're excited to expand our offerings in 2025.

For companies, we offer flexible and tailored training solutions to build a future-proof workforce. Whether you're looking to upskill your existing team with the latest AI and data techniques or tap into a pipeline of top-tier, industry-ready professionals, we provide the expertise to bridge your skills gap and drive real business results.

About the role

iO-Sphere is seeking a talented and highly organised Complex/Strategic Project Manager to drive the successful delivery of a diverse portfolio of intricate projects. You will work closely with various teams, internal and external stakeholders as well as some 3r- party vendors, ensuring our initiatives are delivered effectively and contribute to our overall mission. This role requires a proactive individual who enjoys diving into the details while maintaining a clear strategic vision. You'll be a key player in ensuring our projects run smoothly and achieve their intended impact.

Our team works collaboratively to ensure the successful execution of our strategic initiatives. This involves detailed planning, proactive problem-solving, and fostering strong relationships across different teams. To be successful in this role, you will need to be passionate about project excellence, highly organised, and adept at navigating complexity. You'll be the driving force behind ensuring our diverse projects stay on track and deliver value.

This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious person who wants to join an exciting start-up and use their project management expertise in a dynamic and impactful way. If you're curious and want to know more, please apply so that we can have an initial conversation to answer any questions you might have. As a start-up, there are also lots of opportunities to get involved in other projects!

Location: iO-Sphere is headquartered in London with half our team in South Africa. Our office is in Observatory in Cape Town and this role will be in office 1-2 days per week. South African positions are currently on a contractor basis as we establish our permanent entity. You must have access to strong internet if working remotely. Our preference is for Cape Town based candidates however we are open to remote / hybrid options for the right candidate.

Salary Range: Competitive, dependent on experience.

Who are we looking for?

At iO-Sphere we value individuals who can navigate complexity and drive results. If you are in doubt about your suitability, please apply so that we can review your application! Our ideal candidate is:

• Mission-driven – understands the importance of our work in enabling career opportunities and is motivated to contribute to our success.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented – thrives in managing intricate projects with numerous moving parts.
• Collaborative – able to work effectively with diverse teams, build strong relationships, and influence stakeholders.
• Proactive and a problem-solver – anticipates challenges, identifies solutions, and keeps projects on track.
• Strategic yet hands-on – can see the big picture while also being comfortable diving into the details of project execution.
• Results-oriented – focused on delivering successful project outcomes and achieving organizational goals.
• A strong communicator – able to convey complex information clearly and effectively to various audiences.
• Someone who takes ownership – is accountable for project success and drives initiatives forward independently.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a diverse portfolio of complex projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and effective progress.
• Dive deep into project details, including meticulous planning, task management, risk assessment, and issue resolution.
• Take ownership of the end-to-end project lifecycle, from initiation and planning through execution, monitoring, and closure.
• Proactively engage with project teams, cross-functional stakeholders, and external partners to foster strong working relationships and ensure clear communication.
• Identify and address project roadblocks, manage dependencies, and maintain project momentum to meet deadlines and deliverables.
• Collaborate with relevant departments on resource planning and coordination (personnel, budget, equipment) for projects.
• Identify potential project risks at a detailed level and develop and implement effective mitigation plans.
• Manage project scope, timelines, and budgets with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring all changes are documented and communicated effectively.
• Establish and track key project metrics, providing regular and detailed reports on progress, challenges, and outcomes to stakeholders.
• Contribute to the refinement and application of project management methodologies, tools, and processes.
• Support automation and project management processes and software needs.

Minimum Requirements:

• 7+ years of demonstrable experience managing complex projects with a proven track record of successful delivery.
• Exceptional organisational skills and a meticulous approach to detail management.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and effectively prioritise tasks at a granular level.
• Ability to influence and hold diverse stakeholders to their plans without alienating them
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and resolve issues at a detailed level.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Right to work in South Africa (unfortunately we are not able to accept candidates requiring sponsorship at this time).
• Proficiency in project management software and tools for detailed planning and tracking.

Ideal Requirements:

• Experience within the training or education sector.
• Familiarity with data science or data engineering concepts.
• Experience in product/app development.
• Experience implementing project management best practices and automation within a growing organisation.