SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Permanent

Description 

• Our client currently seeks a Software Development Manager to establish and implement a technology development strategy aligned to the company’s objectives and to lead and manage a team of developers, supporting them in building industry leading, robust and innovative software solutions that are fit for purpose and focus on re-usability, high-availability and portability.

Implement the Technology Strategy & Innovation for your area of responsibility

• Establish, implement, plan and monitor an AGILE Technology Development strategy to meet and align to the company’s goals and objectives, and to improve the quality of the service it delivers internally and externally
• Monitor ongoing development strategies to enable the company to deliver quality and excellence through robust testing education and policies that are balanced and appropriate to the scope of project being delivered.
• Strategically decide whether the company can inherit existing /support legacy code bases and how the company handles the company growing levels of software support
• Oversee the strategy and software development

Execute Analysis & Planning Activities

• Responsible for the presentation of designs and prototypes for business approval
• Develop the Technology Implementation capability, processes and team structures in managing change, agile software development and rapid deployment
• Craft, evaluate and oversee the deployment of all technical, web, and mobile services according to strategic plans and timelines

Acquisition and Deployment

• Keep up to date with the latest software development technologies and methodologies
• Proactively drive innovation with new ideas and options made available by new technologies
• Review and approve functional and technical specifications and test cases using templates and standards aligned to good governance and the company strategic intent
• Review proposed software improvements and upgrades in line with the company Technology Development strategy

Achievement of Project Tasks and Assignments

• Facilitate the smooth delivery of all projects, enhancements and support delivered by the team
• Facilitate technology and methodology decision making throughout the team, including reusable code base development, versions of software tools, best practice, source control and deployment processes
• Responsible for the quality and technical approach taken by team members, overseeing the development of code meeting quality and coding conventions, aligning with the company strategy and that projects are delivered on time and on budget

Implement the Design for your Area of Responsibility

• Design and build database schemas with integrity and scalability with data access layers that are optimised for performance and security
• Devise a tactical plan which can be collaboratively carried out by the team including how to implement improvements to our products, services, processes and knowledge sharing within the team
• To build future-proof reusable core code libraries, which can be shared, in-order to drive further efficiencies throughout the team
• Create, maintain and update documents including program specifications, impact analysis, functional designs, technical specifications, system and integrated level, system specifications, entity relationship models. Advise IT architecture of any changes or reviews
• Oversee improvement and development project plans, providing support where necessary Source an appropriate vendor post conceptual design, where necessary

Implement & Execute on activities within your area of responsibility

• Responsible for the implementation and compliance to the relevant methodology in alignment to best practice and company strategy
• Full control over critical support instances and putting into place the correct escalation and process to manage and resolve issues as soon as possible
• Demonstrate leadership abilities to our clients with the deployment of software upgrades, enhancements and fixes that are coordinated based on targeted release schedules.
• Evolve the existing software system applications in various areas as needed
• Responsible for the uptime with regards to system availability and system response times
• Effective management timelines. Scope, budget, and future Eco System
• Independently conduct and report on code reviews of all development performed
• Oversee the development of software across different domains and technologies (Full Stack) as well as platform independent solutions that are cloud ready and web-based solutions which are mobile ready

Risk & Quality Management

• Define quality criteria and test methodology /approach following best practice principles for all applications and software development.
• Responsible for the integrity and structure of the code, documentation of the code and that any code delivered is well tested and consistently error free
• Apply security principles to all design and development work performed
• Get involved in all technical quotes, analysis, and specifications to confirm they are complete, accurate and to take into account all possible risks and contain the appropriate contingency
• Stay aware of latest data protection and security threats within one’s area of expertise, collaborating with the Head of Information Security to safeguard the company against any risks

Financial Management

• Manage the department’s costs within the applicable budget, providing information on expenditure for each trade review

Policy Formulation and Management

• Define, establish and manage development standards to achieve robust, flexible and stable solutions

Effective Stakeholder Engagement and Management

• Establish, negotiate and maintain contracts with all third parties and vendors as per the procurement policy and procedure
• Apply good governance by confirming that SLA’s with clients and service providers are in place including contracts for information technology resources i.e. hardware, software, human resources etc.

Business Partner Engagements

• Responsible for the presentation of designs and prototypes for business approval

Effective Teamwork and Self-Management

• Verify the development team is integrating other team’s services efficiently and that they are offering technical input into how all company’s services can be delivered and improved
• Provide Subject Matter Expertise in critical support issues where your experience is required to ascertain the issue quickly and to find the more appropriate resolution

People Leadership

• Provide leadership to a team of professionals:
   – Enable and encourage high levels of achievement by employees, matching     workloads to talents and capabilities.
   – Inspire one’s team to deliver on key performance areas
   – Monitor work and challenge under performance by providing regular support, coaching and training as needed.
   – Develop the talent of the people, both in hard and in soft skills, coaching them in their leadership skills and/or immersing them in situations that will enhance the skillset
   – Lead the focus on talent to instil value creation for high value contributors
   – Create and maintain a professional culture within the team, where individuals take ownership and are fastidious and proud of delivering excellence and quality
• Adhere to legislative requirements and Group policies and procedures
• Manage one’s headcount in alignment with the principles and policies of the company on a monthly basis. Inclusive of notifying HR of team cancellations, new business and new initiatives with the relevant documentation /approvals
• Preside over disciplinary hearings on behalf of the company in alignment with statutory requirements and the policies & procedures of the company
• Lead and manage the Talent Management Process within one’s area
• Lead and manage the end-to-end performance management process of employees
• Adhere to legislative requirements, company policies and procedures in respect of employment Health and safety practices
• Responsible for employees to undergo the relevant training inclusive of any mandatory refreshers in conjunction with the Training Academy
• Draft and execute training plans in conjunction with the Training Academy

Drive the organisation culture

• Drive the department’s values while inspiring confidence and generating excitement, enthusiasm and commitment towards the mission.
• Drive Transformation and BBB-EE initiatives for sustainable alignment to the company scorecard
• Provide leadership to employees within the organisation, creating a winning culture and high morale
• Initiate and lead a culture of performance driven output through shared purpose vision and values

Provide leadership to employees within the organisation, creating a winning culture and high morale

• Lead as an Ambassador and executor of Change
• Act as a change management architect in periods of change to achieve continuity
• Manage the integration of Development into a seamless end to end solution for customers
• Effectively communicate and embed new processes and procedures as they occur addressing or escalating matters / concerns to the SME’s (subject matter experts) when required
• Facilitate the necessary presentations, workshops or forums for consistent and accurate communication across one’s area
   

Requirements
Minimum Requirements:

• 8 years’ experience in software development   
• 3 years senior management experience
• 3 years’ project management experience
• 4 years has been in managing the department and
• 5 years has been the application and implementation of the full development lifecycle

Education:

• Degree in Information Technology Management, Computer Science, Business Administration, Commerce or similar