Why You Might Need an Offshore Development Project Manager and How to Hire One

Hiring offshore opens up a world of opportunities, but managing a remote team isn't always easy. Without the right approach, outsourcing software development risks, like delays and quality issues, can compromise your project outcomes.

With the right offshore software development project manager, you won't have to oversee every detail—they handle the workflow, so you can focus on growth.

In this guide, we'll explore what an offshore project manager does, scenarios that call for one, and the key qualities to look for. 

What Does an Offshore Software Development Project Manager Do?

A software development project is a complex undertaking. According to a five-year study, 49%–56% of IT projects were considered "challenged"—failing to meet scope, time, or budget expectations—while 17%–22% of projects "failed" entirely and were canceled. 

Proper management can significantly reduce these risks, even for the most complex projects. That's why it's important to have someone oversee your offshore developers and offshore development projects.

An offshore software development project manager works remotely and keeps your offshore development project on track. 

Here's what project managers do:

• Align development goals with business needs: Ensure the offshore team understands your company's objectives and that their work aligns with your business objectives and quality standards
• Facilitate communication across time zones: Manage the challenges of working with teams in different time zones to maintain seamless collaboration and timely updates
• Oversee the entire project process: Track progress, set realistic deadlines, and implement quality assurance checks to make sure the software meets industry standards and business requirements
• Manage resources: Strategically allocate resources, control costs, and keep the project within budget constraints
• Optimize productivity: Streamline various development processes and remove roadblocks that may slow progress

Offshore software development makes sense when you're looking to scale efficiently while managing costs (compared to having a full in-house development team). If your hands are full and you need an expert to handle offshore development projects, consider hiring an offshore software development project manager.

When Do You Need an Offshore Project Manager?

The last thing you want is for your in-house managers to experience leadership burnout. Managing a remote team—especially if they have little to no experience with offshore development—can pile on unnecessary stress.

Instead of stretching your management team too thin, it's better to delegate project management to someone with expertise in handling remote teams. An in-house project manager can still collaborate with an offshore project manager, and in many cases, this partnership strengthens workflow rather than creates redundancy.

Here are some situations in which bringing in an offshore project manager is the right move. 

When managing multiple offshore teams

If your company works with offshore teams in different countries, coordination can quickly become overwhelming. Time zones, work cultures, and varying levels of expertise all need to be managed effectively.

An offshore project manager keeps teams aligned with company goals, tracks progress across different locations, and streamlines communication to prevent misunderstandings.

If you're implementing a hybrid work model

Combining in-house and offshore teams as an onsite-offshore work model can be highly effective, but it also presents unique challenges, such as balancing workloads and optimizing work processes.

An offshore project manager implements project management tools and processes that help offshore developers work in sync with your local team. For instance, they can set up daily stand-ups and weekly meetings that align with overlapping work hours or create detailed documentation that keeps all developers on the same page. 

When there are communication breakdowns

If you're constantly dealing with miscommunications with your offshore developers, it's a clear sign that you need a project manager. Without proper oversight, offshore teams might receive unclear instructions or make assumptions that lead to errors.

A project manager acts as a liaison, keeping workflows transparent and providing frequent updates so no one is left in the dark.

If you're having quality issues and missing project timelines

Poorly managed offshore teams can lead to subpar code and unfinished projects. To avoid this, an offshore project manager can set up review cycles, code audits, and testing frameworks to prevent defects from slipping through.

If your offshore team is regularly late on deliverables, the project manager will step in to adjust workload distribution and remove bottlenecks.

When you're scaling your offshore development team

Growth is great, but scaling an offshore team without proper management can be chaotic. A project manager ensures that as your development team expands, processes remain structured, productivity stays high, and new hires integrate seamlessly.

If your company plans to double its offshore workforce in six months, for example, a project manager can oversee hiring, training, and workflow adjustments to keep things moving.

Benefits of Hiring an Offshore Project Manager

Here are some of the major advantages of hiring an offshore software development project manager:

• Improved team coordination: Offshore teams are often spread across multiple locations. An offshore project manager keeps everyone on the same page by thoroughly understanding the project requirements, assigning tasks properly, and meeting deadlines.
• Enhanced productivity: With structured operations and well-defined priorities and responsibilities, offshore teams work more efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.
• Cost savings: Companies with strong project management practices can waste up to 28x less money than those with poor performance. A well-organized manager reduces wasted time, budget overruns, and operational inefficiencies.
• Strong risk management: Potential risks, such as integration issues and data protection concerns, are unavoidable, but a skilled project manager can identify them early and create contingency plans before they impact the project.

The benefits of offshore software development for businesses can be maximized with the right leader. A qualified offshore project manager keeps your offshore team running smoothly while effortlessly coordinating with your local team.

Qualities to Look for in an Offshore Project Manager

Here are key qualities to look for when hiring an offshore project manager. Hiring with these traits in mind will help you achieve better results in the long run.

• Cross-cultural communication skills: Offshore teams often operate in different work cultures. A great project manager knows how to bridge this gap by establishing clear communication protocols and fostering cultural awareness and inclusivity to strengthen trust and cohesion.
• Time zone management expertise: Coordinating multiple schedules is tricky. A capable project manager arranges meeting times to facilitate real-time communication and makes sure work is carried out efficiently and smoothly.
• Technical understanding and problem-solving abilities: While they don't need to possess technical skills and be able to code, a project manager should understand software development processes and best practices and quickly find solutions to various challenges.
• Proven track record in project delivery: Results matter. Look for someone who has successfully managed offshore projects that are relevant to yours and delivered them on time and within budget.
• Proficiency in collaboration tools and agile methodologies: Offshore teams rely on collaboration and communication tools like Jira, Slack, and Asana. A project manager should be well versed in these platforms and have experience managing agile development teams.

Remember that not all project managers are equipped to handle the unique challenges of offshore development. Managing a remote team requires an offshore software development project manager with specific skills and experience in this field.

How to Hire the Right Offshore Project Manager

Hiring the right offshore project manager will keep your remote and in-house teams in sync to provide quality results. But finding the right person for the job requires a well-planned approach. Here are the steps to do so.

1. Define your needs and expectations

Before starting the hiring process, clarify what you need. Outline the scope of the project, the challenges your team faces, and the specific skills required to overcome them. Consider factors like time zone differences, team size, and the complexity of the development process.

Aside from technical expertise, look for a manager with impressive soft skills, such as effective communication, adeptness at leading international teams, problem-solving, and adaptability. Set expectations for communication frequency, reporting structure, and key performance indicators (KPIs). 

2. Source qualified candidates

There are a number of ways to find experienced offshore project managers: 

• Recruitment and staffing agencies: Project management recruitment agencies help companies screen and hire offshore managers, including nearshore hiring within nearby countries. Meanwhile, staffing agencies let you quickly hire temporary or contract-based hires to fulfill short-term needs.
• Job board sites: Online platforms like LinkedIn, We Work Remotely, and Turing offer access to a larger global talent pool. You can post job listings and filter applicants based on experience, skills, and location.
• Professional networks and referrals: Reach out to colleagues, attend virtual conferences, or join online groups focused on offshore development. Trusted recommendations often lead to finding experienced professionals.
• Freelance platforms: If you're looking for a contract-based project manager, sites like Upwork or Toptal allow you to hire professionals for short-term or long-term engagements.

How you source qualified candidates depends on how involved you want to be in the hiring process.

3. Screen candidates thoroughly

Once you have a list of potential candidates, it's time to review their resumes, portfolios, and references to assess their experience managing offshore software development teams. Then, conduct structured interviews that test both technical and soft skills.

Use scenario-based questions to evaluate their problem-solving and leadership abilities. Consider test projects or trial periods to see how they perform in real-world situations.

If you're working with a recruitment agency, they’ll likely handle pre-screening and skills assessments for you. However, it's also a good idea to review the agency's screening process to decide if you'll need to conduct additional evaluations.

4. Finalize the hire and provide continuous support 

After selecting the right project manager, it's important to set them up for success. Clearly define their responsibilities, key objectives, and performance expectations. Provide access to the necessary tools, introduce them to your team of developers, and establish regular check-ins to maintain alignment with your project and business goals

Encourage open communication so they can report challenges early. If they are offshore themselves, be sure they feel integrated into your company culture.

Support doesn't end after hiring—continuously assess their performance and provide feedback to help them improve. Investing in a strong working relationship leads to long-term success for your offshore development projects.

Final Thoughts

Hiring an offshore software development project manager can make all the difference in keeping your remote teams organized, efficient, and aligned with your business goals. They also play a key role in coordinating with your in-house teams to ensure smooth collaboration across both on-site and remote teams.

If you're looking for the right offshore project manager, we can help. At Near, we know the potential of Latin American (LatAm) talent, so we can provide pre-vetted nearshore candidates who fit your needs. With our tailored hiring process, your project will get the leadership it deserves.

Fill out this form to receive a list of handpicked candidates. See the caliber of LatAm talent available and hire in under 21 days.