AVP- IT & Technology

Senior Project Owner / Project Manager Technology

Department - Technology / Software Development

Work Mode - Work From Home (WFH), Full Time

Experience - Minimum 10 Years (Development Background)

Time Zone - Candidate should be comfortable working in US time zone overlap and attending client calls accordingly.

ROLE SUMMARY

We are looking for a seasoned Senior Project Owner / Project Manager with a strong development foundation to lead our technology initiatives. This role bridges client management and technical execution you will own endto-end delivery of multiple concurrent projects while supporting a high-performing remote team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project & Delivery Management

• Own and manage multiple concurrent technology projects from initiation to production release
• Define project scope, timelines, milestones, and resource allocation plans
• Distribute tasks effectively across a team of developers, QA, and support engineers
• Track assigned work daily, follow up on progress, and proactively remove blockers
• Ensure all projects meet deadlines and quality benchmarks without compromise
• Participate actively in production activities and take full accountability for live deployments

US Client Management

• Serve as the Technology single point of contact for all assigned US clients
• Attend and lead client calls that are focused on an ARDEM Technical Solution. This may include discussions related to future clients or existing clients (US time zone overlap required)
• Resolve client queries, manage escalations, and ensure high client satisfaction
• Showcase company-developed applications and software demos confidently to clients
• Translate complex client requirements into clear technical deliverables for the team

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and performance-manage a distributed remote team of technical members
• Foster accountability, ownership, and a high-delivery culture within the team
• Conduct sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives, and performance reviews
• Identify skill gaps and work with HR/training teams to bridge them

Process & Operations

• Deeply understand ARDEM's internal processes and align project execution accordingly
• Ensure development standards and best practices are followed across all projects
• Manage crisis situations with composure, identify root causes and drive swift resolution
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams including HR, Operations, Training, and QA
• Maintain project documentation, status reports, and risk registers

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• 10+ years of total experience in software development and project management
• 5–7 years of hands-on coding experience in one or more technologies listed below
• 2–3 years in a team management or tech lead role overseeing 5+ members
• Proven experience managing multiple simultaneous projects in a remote/WFH environment
• Prior experience working with US-based clients strong understanding of US work culture and expectations

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Python: scripting, automation, data processing, backend services
• JavaScript / Node.js: server-side development, REST APIs, async workflows
• NET Core: enterprise application development and service integration
• SQL Databases: query optimization, schema design, stored procedures
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Git workflows, and deployment processes
• Ability to review code, understand architectural decisions, and guide the team technically

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English client-facing confidence is a must
• Strong crisis management and conflict resolution ability under tight deadlines
• Highly organized with a structured approach to planning, prioritization, and execution
• Self-driven and accountable capable of operating independently in a remote environment
• Strong presentation skills able to demo software to non-technical stakeholders
• Empathetic leadership style with the ability to motivate and align diverse team members

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science
• PMP Certification: Preferred (candidates without PMP must demonstrate equivalent project management rigor)
• Agile / Scrum certifications (CSM, PMI-ACP) are an added advantage

LOCATION PREFERENCE

• Candidates must be based in a Tier-1 city: Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, or Kolkata
• This is a full-time Work From Home role: reliable internet, a dedicated workspace, and availability during US business hours are mandatory

ABOUT ARDEM

ARDEM Incorporated is a leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Automation company serving US based clients across diverse industries. Our Technology Team builds and maintains in-house applications that power data processing pipelines, automation workflows, internal platforms, and domain-specific training modules all engineered to deliver operational excellence at scale. To our clients, we provide cloud-based platforms to assist in their day-to-day business analytics. Our cloud services focus on finance, logistics and utility management.

Role Description

Location - Bangalore / Remote/WFH

This is an equity-only role.

We are looking for a young but mature mindset with highly skilled Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to provide sound technical leadership in all aspects of the business. This person will be added as a Co-founder in the Team.

CTO should be able to take technical decision and having a Strategic thinking mindset with strong business acumen. We expect you to be well-versed in current technological trends and familiar with a variety of business concepts.

You will work directly with the CEO and will act as both a technology and business expert, making decisions that will impact the current and future operations of the company. If you are self-motivated, emotionally strong, enjoy challenges and have a never give-up approach, we’d like to meet you.

CTO / Co- Founder Responsibilities

Lead the technology division with new-age technologies and processes

Build on the vision for the organization by technology

Identify new opportunities and develop products and processes in line with cutting edge technologies

Deploy, develop and implement solutions in a cost-efficient manner

Experience in building scalable products, platforms, and modern technologies

Experienced on the internet/ e-commerce industry, B2B platforms, start-up setups is a plus

Hands-on experience in digital initiatives, big data, mobile apps, AI & ML, analytics, and business intelligence solutions

Ability to convert data into usable modern technology-driven solutions

Experience or knowledge on AWS server side is required

Requirements

B.E / B.tech / Masters Degree in computer science or related field.

6+ years of working in a technological role is preferable but not mandatory

Experience working in an early-stage tech start-up will be a plus

A strong product sense and can build engaging tech for customers

Ability to conduct technological analyses and research

Deep knowledge of full-stack modern development practices (node.js, angular, java javascript, AWS, DS, react, etc.) Can work / learn and work on AI/ML

Have a proven understanding of best engineering practices for the full software development life cycle (SDLC), including coding standards, code review, source control, build, test, deploy, and operations

Experience in project management to ensure timely deliverables

Strong communication skills with the ability to present the technology vision confidently in a way that motivates others both internally and externally

About First Principles

We are a Tech Holding Company and our portfolio companies generate millions in revenue. What is unique about FirstPrinciples is that most of our companies remain controlled and majority owned by First Principles and its team members rather than by external investors. We are proud that our product engineering team builds world class products from India. https://firstprinciples.io/">https://firstprinciples.io/

About this Role

As we scale and build our organisation, we would like to add an individual to our core Technical Leadership who can scale our key products and projects and help us build and foster relationships with Enterprise clients.

We are looking for an experienced Technology Leader to join our fast growing organisation to help us with driving Technical Strategy, Approach and oversee the Implementation for internal and external products. You should be someone who loves Engineering, have amazing debugging skills and slay problems with technology. 

In this role, you will undertake Technical / Solution Architecture and should also be able to help team with Engineering and coding wherever required. That includes, working along with the team, writing code, doing R&D or POCs, ensuring we follow modern industry standards and building beautiful high performing Software and Applications and thus delivering a better solution and product. You will also help FP build strong relationships with clients and technical leadership on the client side.

You would be required to have a minimum of 10+ years of experience with a mix of Engineering, DevOps, Infrastructure, Cyber - Network Security, Enterprise Application Maintenance, Database Management along with Project, Client and People Management skills which are necessary to lead the team and be their voice. You should be a leader and not just a manager who loves delegating things to the off-shore team, but rather someone who would not hesitate to take over Git-Pull and start writing code and show ‘here is how it’s done’ and amaze everyone with your expertise! :-) 

Because this is a Senior role, you would also be involved working with the Product/Project Manager and will be responsible for the delivery and output.

Tech Stack [High-Level]: We are JavaScript focused i.e. we work in ReactJS, NodeJS, AngularJS, TypeForm, TypeScript, Redis. On the server side, we work with AWS/GCP/DO. Database: MySQL, PostgreS and MongoDb. API: REST and GraphQL API. We also have a strong DevOps stack - including Kubernetes(K8), Dockers and CI/CD automation. 

Interview Process: 

• 60 min Discovery Call
• 15 mins introduction and what you bring to the table (We love people who say, “We build the damn table”) 
• 15 min understanding your experience and background
• 15 min on why you want to join our team and your expectations, future plans
• 15 min Q&A
  
  
• 60-90 min Technical Interview  (May be more than 1)
• Technical Call
  
  
• 45-60 min Final Call
• 15 min discussion on results 
• 15 min CTC expectations / negotiations 
• 15 min closure
• 15 min buffer

Role will determine the process and strategy to be used in software design at a project level (Agile, top-down, bottom up, stepwise refinement, use of patterns and pattern languages, iterative and incremental processes etc.) and has a deep Understanding of the software development lifecycle and has knowledge of the overall application development space combined with understanding of the business and domain. Role will Identify risks across the project life-cycle and conceive mitigation strategies, will drive AGILE practices and frameworks within the organization and creating visibility for the same and guide the teams in application of AGILE frameworks, will resolve problems and identify opportunities for improvements within AGILE.  Will design and fine-tune DB solutions and will oversee performance tuning. Role will work with Configuration Management tools to enforce CM practices and processes. Role is required to help define and adhere to the QA standards and will work with a deep understanding of performance bottlenecks, production infrastructure, interfaces and dependencies of the product and Measure program performance against target and publish dashboards to leadership. Role is also responsible for Analyzing scope change requests to make informed decision on resourcing, cost and time estimation and effectively managing all escalations in-line with organization norms.

Director-Software Operations is also responsible for attracting and retaining top talent in the organization. Will use the “People first” approach in the decision making and helps the organization in the people engagement journey. Role is responsible for aligning the organizational objectives to the team objective, derive goals for individuals and ensure a fair, transparent, inclusive workplace culture. Will nurture teams through different situations, be responsible for the individual development plans and performance metrics.

Competencies:

• Anticipates stakeholder’s stated / unstated needs; suggests specific changes in processes to improve the company’s responsiveness and deliver superior stakeholder experience
• Builds and nurtures long-term, mutually profitable stakeholder partnerships. Builds a say in stakeholder decisions by establishing strong credibility and offering a superior end-to-end experience
• Builds and promotes systems / practices for effective capture, dissemination and management of knowledge at a Business Unit level
• Understands competitive global business environment and builds comfort with VUCA conditions, provides clarity to the team to act quickly and with precision on implicit and explicit stakeholder needs
• Focuses on continuous improvement through constant assessment of existing procedures, Selects and cross-fertilizes ideas across teams within the Business Units
• Drives collective accountability through appropriate actions (involving employees in goal-setting and ongoing communication
• Adapts management style to different situations and provides calmness and consistency to the team during stressful situations, serves as an advisor, providing guidance to multiple teams on contribution to key organizational decisions such that employee concerns are addressed.
• Drives synergy and cooperation across different stakeholders, to catalyze critical decision making, to work towards common organizational goal. Continuously owns and exceeds challenging targets; Drives team to consistently exceed past performance
• Encourages people to work outside of their comfort zone and creates the right conditions for them to demonstrate new competencies, Provides regular feedback in a constructive manner
• Develops and uses systems to organize and keep track of performance across the function, identifies areas to refocus team efforts and improve performance and quality while managing
• Shows respect for differences and draws upon different ideas in the business unit to enhance business performance, takes effort to create an open environment for team to voice views and capitalizes by leveraging synergies across teams.

Technical Skills:

• Should have prior experience in design, develop and maintaining .Net based web applications within all phases of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Should have worked on complex, multi-tiered architectural applications
• Strong experience in business understanding, requirement gathering and project scoping.
• Should have Experience of Object Oriented programming practices (SOLID principles, Design pattern)
• Should have prior experience in handling a large team of developers, testers, database developers and architects
• Should have experience in Feasibility Analysis - Technical feasibility (Study of proposed application, performance expected, application function, benefits), Financial feasibility (costs incurred, milestone timelines), Operational feasibility (does the application meet the need or solve the problem, will users be able to adapt to the application)
• Should have experience with the process of choosing from the design patterns and platforms and should be able to convey the merits and demerits of these to the team
• Should be well versed with the security frameworks, assessing vulnerabilities, Secured Code, SSL/Non SSL, Vulnerability tests amongst the areas being proficient at.
• Should have prior experience working with agile teams and alternative programming approaches like either of ADM/Scrum or Xtreme programming, KanBan or Re-factoring
• Experience in creating project charter for the project to clearly list out project objectives, duration, milestones, etc.
• Should have lead a team of Application and database developers and is competent to train/assist them on all their Technical requirements that come up as part of their day to day assignments
• Experience in developing web application with C#, MVC 5, ASP.Net, Web API
• Sound working experience in any one of the JS frameworks including advanced JS frameworks for web comprising of Angular, React, Backbone.
• Hands on HTML/5, CSS, Advance jQuery & JavaScript and advance knowledge of designing HTML pages with JQuery.
• Prior experience of bootstrap for managing highly dynamic & scalable browser-based UI.
• Hands on experience in writing high performance SQL queries, in SQL Server 2014/ 2016 or MYSQL will be preferred.
• Should be proficient at Cloud concepts & guiding principles - Various cloud solution like AWS, AZURE, OPENSHIFT, Pivotal Cloud Foundry, Google etc. and their key features, advantages and disadvantages
• Should be proficient at T-SQL programming and development
• Identify production and non-production application issues and assist team with optimal solution.
• Supporting creation of thought leadership (POVs, research papers) in the field of programming
• Identify opportunities to fine-tune and optimize applications of .Net developed projects, including periodic code review.
• Should have worked with Gantt charts or similar planning tools and should have prior experience in reporting/MIS
• Should Contribute to the development of new techniques and plans within area of expertise.

Educational Qualification and Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of formal education - Graduate / Post Graduate in Computer Science / Information Technology.
• Professional work experience of 15 to 20 years including 5 to 7 years in a leadership role.