Project Management Team Leader

About IRIS

IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms.

We're a Great Place to Work® certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we're growing fast.

Ready to move from delivering your own projects to helping an entire Project Management team succeed? Join IRIS Software Group as a Project Manager Team Lead within Professional Services, the customer-facing function that takes customers from order through software implementation and handover to Support. You’ll lead and develop Project Managers and Senior Project Managers, provide calm direction when complex customer issues arise, and help improve the way projects are delivered across the team.

🧾 Why This Role Matters

Our Project Managers turn a customer order into a successful software implementation. As Team Lead, you’ll make sure the team has the direction, coaching and resources to deliver effectively, while maintaining oversight of risks, customer outcomes and performance.

Rather than carrying a large personal portfolio, you’ll focus on helping the whole team succeed. You’ll also contribute to capacity planning, backlog management and revenue forecasting. For candidates new to IRIS, “backlog” means the customer projects waiting to be delivered, while forecasting means using the project pipeline, capacity and delivery data to anticipate workload and revenue.

👥 About the Team You'll Join

You’ll lead a fully remote UK team of 8-10 Project Managers and Senior Project Managers with a mix of experience levels. The team does not have a regular office requirement, although there may be opportunities to meet in person during the year.

You’ll report to the Professional Services Manager, Project Management and work closely with the Senior Manager for Professional Services, Project Coordinators, Implementation Managers and Consultants, Training Consultants, operational and Finance colleagues, wider IRIS teams and customers.

📊 What You'll Be Doing

• Lead, coach and develop the Project Management team through regular 1:1s, team meetings, quarterly objectives and development plans.

• Maintain oversight of delivery from order through implementation and handover, helping Project Managers resolve risks, issues and competing priorities.

• Act as an escalation point for complex customer or project issues, stepping in when additional leadership or coordination is needed.

• Plan workloads and resources, and work with the Project Coordinator Team Lead on backlog, capacity and revenue forecasting.

• Use weekly and monthly reporting to identify risks, trends and actions across the team.

• Improve processes and standards, making effective use of Asana, automation and AI to reduce manual work and improve visibility.

💡 Improving How We Work

The Project Management framework has recently been refreshed and documented end to end. The next step is continuous improvement. The team already uses Asana, a work-management platform for project plans, actions and visibility, alongside automation and AI-generated weekly status reporting.

There are further opportunities to reduce duplicated data entry, connect systems more effectively and bring customer and consultant information into project boards. You don’t need to be an AI expert. We’re looking for someone curious about technology who can spot practical improvements, test ideas and help the team adopt better ways of working.

🔎 What We’re Looking For

• Strong project management experience and a clear understanding of successful project delivery.

• Experience supporting, coaching or developing colleagues. Formal people management experience is desirable, not essential.

• Confidence handling project risks, customer escalations and difficult conversations.

• Strong communication, influencing and relationship-building skills across customers and internal teams.

• An understanding of workload and resource planning, project reporting and performance management.

• A track record of improving processes or ways of working, with confidence using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with Asana, automation or AI tools is useful but not required.

• Experience as a Senior Project Manager or Team Lead would be useful, but it is not essential if you can demonstrate the right project background and leadership capability.

🚀 Why Join Us?

IRIS Software Group provides business software and services across accounting, payroll, HR and education. More than 100,000 customers across 135 countries rely on IRIS, including organisations ranging from accountancy firms to schools and employers.

This role gives you the chance to broaden your impact beyond individual projects: leading people, handling more complex escalations, strengthening resource and revenue planning, improving operational performance, and shaping how technology and AI support customer delivery.

📝 What Can You Expect From Our Application Process?

We like to keep things simple, transparent and fair:

1️⃣ Apply Online: Upload your CV and tell us why this opportunity interests you and why you feel you'd be a good fit.

2️⃣ Initial Conversation (plus Online Assessments): You’ll complete two online assessments, unless you have completed them within the last 12 months, followed by an informal conversation with one of our Talent Acquisition Partners. CCAT is a 15-minute timed cognitive ability assessment; we recommend a quiet space with pen and paper. EPP is an untimed personality assessment you can complete at your own pace.

3️⃣ 1st Stage Interview: A competency-based discussion focused on your project leadership, people development, customer and delivery experience, plus a short presentation exploring how you would approach your first months in the role.

4️⃣ Final Stage Interview (if applicable): If a further conversation is needed, we’ll explain the format and what to expect in advance.

If you’re an experienced project professional who enjoys helping people succeed, solving complex delivery challenges and improving how teams work, we’d love to hear from you.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Impact: Your work will influence millions globally.

• Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities.

• Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual.
  

Ready to Apply?

Click Apply - we’re excited to learn about your unique perspective and experience. If you need adjustments during the process, let us know. We’re committed to making this opportunity accessible to everyone.

What to expect from our hiring process

Our process is designed to be fair, transparent and straightforward. Stages vary depending on the role — more senior positions may involve additional steps, and some areas include role-specific assessments such as a technical test or case study — but typically you can expect:

1. Application review — we assess your experience and potential

2. Initial call — a short conversation to learn about you and share more about the role

3. Skills assessment — tailored to the position, e.g. case study, coding challenge or portfolio review

4. Final interview — meet the team and explore how you'll make an IMPACT at IRIS

We'll always walk you through the specific stages at the start of the process so you can prepare with confidence.

If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the process, let us know, we’re committed to making this experience accessible for everyone.