Head of Development (Job Vacancy)

The Head of Development (HoD) is a key leadership role accountable for the successful development of software for the VIEW Platform, including the VIEW Architecture, Application Development, Data and DevOps. HoD needs to manage a team of Architects, developers, data engineers and DevOps engineers to ensure the development of industry best practice software, data remediation program of work and operational support for the VIEW platform. Working closely with the VIEW Platform SLT and Civica software community, the HoD is accountable for the creation and delivery of the strategic vision and leadership and all aspects of the architecture, development of the software, DevOps, and data remediation. To develop a strategy for the team to meet the company's goals and objectives, and to improve the quality of the software it delivers internally and externally by meeting or exceeding the stringent defect rate quality goals. Responsible for the effort estimations, technical/functional impacts, quality, defect rate and technical approach taken by team members, ensuring it is in-line with the CJS Contract and the Company strategy. Creating and maintaining a professional culture within the team, where individuals take ownership and are fastidious and proud of delivering excellence and quality software. Principal Accountabilities • Develop and deliver a strategic technological vision and direction for the VIEW Platform team • Lead and manage the Software Architecture, Development, Data changes and DevOps teams that meets/exceeds stakeholder expectations • Work effectively with Project Director, Head of Product, Head of Delivery, Head of Test, and other Senior leadership team members to ensure stringent Software Quality goals against agreed priorities • Accountable for quality delivery of software development projects • Responsible for the maintenance and development of VIEW Platform. • Create, implement, and maintain a continuous improvement plan for software development and data teams • Working closely with the Product/Delivery Managers with the aim of meeting current and future business needs • Reviewing and applying best practices to establish Architecture, Development and Data frameworks consistent and supportive of the Product Strategy, VIEW program scope and VIEW platform • Researching, identifying and implementing new technology trends that will be able to support the future success of the VIEW Platform • Understanding the use cases (and/or user stories) to oversee the design of the architecture for the products to be built • Lead the Staffing, Management and Hiring/Retention activities • Lead and mentor the Software Architecture, DevOps, Development and Data teams for technical and business needs to provide quality with ahead/on time delivery of the software as per agreed organizational objectives • Establish clear organisational structures and succession plans aligned with appropriate responsibilities, accountabilities and personal development for all Software Architecture, Development, DevOps, and Data staff in line with any anticipated growth • Provide support for all staff in keeping with Civica's Values, Policies and Procedures • Comply and work for all relevant Business Unit & Group policies, documents and procedures as per SDSA contract with key stakeholders Requirements Reporting Relationships • Reporting to the Services and Delivery Director Direct Reportees • 20+ team members Skill Classification • .NET MVC /C# (10+ years) • Unit testing methodology- (XUnit/NUnit/MSTest) (5+ years) • Web Services/ WCF/ Web API (5+ years) • Data Analysis/SQL Server Query (10+ years) • Code quality analysis tool (static & dynamic) (SonarQube/SonarLint/StyleCop) (10+ years) • Veracode/OSS scans for security vulnerabilities (5+ years) • Azure DevOps environments/branching/pipelines/deployments (5+ years) • ADO/Jira/GIT Version Control (5+ years) • Scripting/Power BI knowledge (5+ years) • SOAP, XML, HTML, CSS knowledge (10+ years) • Analyze/Review effort estimation (preliminary & advanced) (5+ years) • Functional/Technical Impact analysis for requirements/RFC (10+ years) • Complex code reviews/PR merge issues as needed (5+ years) • Review/provide input on SAD and HLD docs as needed (5+ years) Desirable • Crystal Reports development (5+ years) • Unit testing framework (XUnit/NUnit/MSTest) (10+ years) Essential Competencies • Minimum 5+ years technical & leadership experience • Exceptional team leadership and interpersonal skills are essential including recruitment, mentoring & coaching, performance management, motivation, technical arbitration, workforce, and resource planning • A track record in setting and managing priorities, articulating, and gaining engagement for ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences and the ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment • In general, a thorough understanding of software development processes and tools, including elements such as: • Version/Configuration Management • Defect tracking tools • Continuous Integration/Build Automation tools • Static/Dynamic Code Analysis • Unit testing and TDD related concept • A proven track record of innovation in process and technical solutions. Finding creative technical solutions to fast-track development, minimizing time to market while maintaining and improving quality. • Flair for innovative design and a process-oriented approach to change management • Proven ability to communicate in a variety of formats at all levels with an appreciation of target audience • Advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills • Master's/bachelor's degree in computer science or computer engineering or IT or demonstrated equivalence through professional experience • Strong organizational skills, ability to work independently and be a self-motivated, detail-oriented, dedicated, and well-organised professional able to work and make decisions in a high-performing environment • Proven written communication and stakeholder management skills • Proven understanding of software systems and architectures ideally with experience of architecting solutions • Proven understanding and working experience of reviewing and providing inputs for Software Architecture/development/DevOps/Data areas in Risks & issues and Change control board discussions Preferred Skills • Experience of software feature estimation (considering resourcing, task dependencies, tool requirements, and risks) • Theoretical and practical knowledge of project management principles, techniques and tools, and practical experience in the successful management of multiple inter-related projects • Exposure to Contract Management • Advanced MS Excel skills & SharePoint • Experience in delivery software using Agile practices • Experience leading an enterprise level, multi-tiered complex software application Benefits Benefits | Life at Civica: Life at Civica is fun and flexible. We have the following benefits that make us - one of the top employers of choice and a great place to work. Civica Foundation | Giving Culture: We encourage our people to take advantage of our Days of Difference initiative that makes a lasting impact in the community through goodness and charity. Civica Culture | Work life balance and Blended working: Flexible working, less commuting and more time with friends and family gives a perfect work life balance to our people. Learning and Development | Growth Opportunities: Civica has a unique 70:20:10 learning model, which supports your learning demands in an interesting, challenging & fun way! Benefits • Employee Wellbeing: Being a people-first company, we have integrated health and wellbeing benefits for our members and their family. We have a team of Mental Health Champions working hard to change the stigma around Mental Health. We routinely run awareness workshops to ensure our colleagues better understand how Mental Health can impact your day-to-day life. • Generous Leave Policy: Civica allows you to take time off from work with generous leave benefits. • Rewards and Recognition: We recognise and appreciate our colleagues for their contribution by monetary/non-monetary recognitions and rewards • Tenure Milestone Recognition: We value and recognise the years of service of our people. • Employee-led Affinity Groups: Civica has different affinity groups in place, where people can share experiences and put forward their ideas, suggestions and recommendations to make Civica an even more inclusive organisation for everyone. Our groups are for anyone who wants to support and ally with that community • Days-of-Difference: Every year Civica colleagues are encouraged to use up to three days of fully paid leave, to volunteer at a charity of their choice Civica Accolades: ‘Investors in People' - Gold: We prioritise the development of our colleagues to match their ambition. Great Place to Work: We are dedicated to create an outstanding employee experience. Financial Times - Diversity Leader 2023: We're committed to maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture. Top rated employer - Glassdoor: Our average length of service is 9 years. Societal Impact: Our solutions impact positive societal change, supporting local Authorities, Schools, Police forces, the NHS and numerous Central Government offices. Civica is a Diversity Leader, ranked as one of the top European companies for workplace diversity and equality - Financial Times 2023. Civica is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture where diversity thrives, and all of our people excel. We believe that diversity stimulates innovation, enables us to deliver better outcomes for people and communities, supports the growth of our people, and delivers great results for our customers. Civica recruit, promote and reward our people based on their contribution, regardless of gender, race, disability, religion/belief, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or marital status.