What you will be doing

We are looking for a Project Lead to take ownership of complex software development projects and strategic client relationships. In this role, you will combine hands-on delivery leadership with account ownership, commercial responsibility, and close collaboration across project teams.

This is a hybrid role for someone who is equally comfortable driving project execution, managing client expectations, shaping solutions, and keeping an eye on business outcomes. Depending on the account and project setup, the balance between delivery leadership, commercial responsibility, and strategic client work may vary, but you will always have clear ownership and influence. The role also offers a clear development path toward broader team leadership and people management.

• Own complex software projects end to end: You will lead full-cycle software development projects from discovery through delivery and iteration, ensuring strong execution and clear outcomes.
• Drive cross-functional delivery: You will work closely with frontend and backend engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to keep delivery aligned, efficient, and focused on impact.
• Own client accounts commercially and strategically: You will manage client portfolios, support account P&L, and help ensure each engagement is aligned with both client goals and business objectives. This includes forecasting, pricing, revenue recognition, invoicing, and change control in collaboration with Finance and Legal.
• Shape growth within existing accounts: You will identify and develop upsell and expansion opportunities by shaping tailored solutions, building proposals, and drafting statements of work for existing accounts.
• Manage stakeholders and expectations: You will advise senior stakeholders, manage escalations, and lead workshops to support discovery, alignment, and solution definition.
• Balance scope, risk, quality, and delivery: You will oversee requirements, roadmap planning, quality assurance, risk management, and resource planning to ensure projects stay on track.
• Enable team success: You will provide clear direction, documentation, and coordination so that engineers and designers can work effectively. You will also help mentor and develop team members as part of a growing delivery organisation.

We need you to have

Must-have

• 5+ years of experience delivering and/or leading complex software development projects, ideally in an agency, consulting, or professional services environment
• At least 2 years of experience with account and commercial ownership in a client-project setting
• Experience with P&L responsibility, including budgeting, forecasting, revenue recognition, invoicing, and change control
• Strong experience in project scoping, estimation, pricing, and SOW creation
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and C-level contacts
• Fluency in both German and English
• Solid understanding of modern software delivery, including agile or hybrid delivery models, SDLC, APIs/integrations, cloud/SaaS, and common web platforms such as e-commerce or CMS
• Strong commercial and analytical thinking, with a clear focus on margin, risk, and scenario planning
• Experience with resource planning, staffing, and cross-team coordination
• Interest in team development and mentorship
• University degree in business informatics, business administration, or equivalent practical experience

Strong advantage

• Experience in shaping and negotiating SOWs for T&M, fixed-price, and retainer models
• Experience in vendor or partner coordination on the client side
• Strong understanding of MarTech, CRO, analytics, or AI-powered solutions
• Ability to consult, train, and enable clients in the use of complex applications and systems

Nice-to-have

• Certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, PSM, PSPO, SAFe, or ITIL
• Experience in growing client accounts or supporting broader commercial development
• Previous exposure to people leadership or line management
• Knowledge of GDPR and data protection topics

Benefits

• Office located directly at Backfabrik
• Home office flexibility with 2–3 office days per week preferred
• Full-time desk available in the office
• Occasional workations welcome
• Gym membership contribution
• Subsidized BVG job ticket or Deutschlandticket
• Company pension scheme
• MacBook Pro and dual 4K screen setup
• Quarterly company day and team event
• Coffee, tea, snacks, and fruit in the office
• Weekly team lunch and breakfast
• Dog-friendly office

Job practical details

• Location: Berlin
• Commitment: Full-time
• Level: Senior / Principal
• Salary: Starting at €80k (depending on final position and experience) plus variable component
• Holidays: 27 days per year