Head of Software Engineering

*Please note this role is open to applicants based in our Glasgow and London offices* SThree are pleased to announce we're recruiting for a Head of Software Engineering to join our Technology team on a permanent basis.

The role of the Head of Software Engineering is to direct the definition, implementation and continual improvement of SThree's systems, whether through systems development or configuration changes by internal or 3rd party teams. The candidate will be accountable for the structure of the Software Engineering functions and setting the strategy for resource management within systems development and broader transformation programmes. The successful candidate will align the systems development and improvement activities to business strategies and objectives ensuring that the systems software is developed, provisioned and configured to facilitate the achievement of service objectives.

About us

SThree is the global STEM-specialist talent partner that connects sought-after specialists in life sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics with innovative organisations across the world.

What are the day-to-day tasks?

• Works with SThree's management to define a costed and prioritised programme of systems development
• Oversee the resourcing of the agreed programme of systems development, taking full responsibility for the provision of IT resources
• Develops and maintains SThree's systems development standards, policies, methods procedures and guidelines for software construction, configuration and re factoring, ensuring that they are adhered to
• Manages existing software process improvement approaches and/or develops new approaches to achieving improvement
• Ensures that the programme of systems development is implemented in a coherent and consistent manner, liaising as necessary with IS, ICT and client/user management to ensure that planned systems developments are compatible
• Ensures that systems and procedures for monitoring and reporting on the progress of systems development projects are in place and operated effectively
• Tracks and reports objectives and key results (OKR) progress.
• Facilitates development and software configuration planning. Identifies, tracks, removes and escalates impediments
• Owns function level resource plans, forecasts future resource requirements, and works with appropriate stakeholders to agree future resourcing strategies.

What skills and knowledge are we looking for?

• Strong technical or functional understanding of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) applications and/or other bespoke software
• Testing techniques and tools used to plan and execute software tests of all application components (functional and non-functional)
• A set of codes and syntax (supported by software tools) that enables the unambiguous translation of specified functionality into source code
• Methods and techniques for structured reviews, including of technical work products, test plans, business cases, architectures and any other key deliverables, in conjunction with the collection, analysis and application of historical and synthetic measurements in the estimation of IT activities.
• Understanding and application of different development approaches e.g. iterative/ incremental or traditional sequential methodologies, including applying standards, practices, codes and relevant certification programmes

Qualifications

• Educated to bachelor's degree level, holds a relevant professional qualification and may have a postgraduate qualification such as an MSc, MBA, or other appropriate industry qualification. And/or At least 7 years' experience in Software Engineering, solution design, product development
• Professional certification within relevant areas an advantage, such as:
  • BCS International Diploma in Solution Development
  • BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT
  • Chartered IT Professional (CITP) BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT

Benefits for our U.K. teams include:

• The choice to work flexibly from home and the office, in line with our principles
• Bonus linked to company and personal performance
• Generous 28 days holiday allowance, plus public holidays
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Five days paid Caregiver/Dependant leave per annum
• Five paid days off per year for volunteering
• Private healthcare, discounted dental insurance and health care cashback scheme
• Opportunity to participate in the company share scheme

What we stand for...

We're committed to ensuring for our colleagues, candidates and communities, that all processes are equitable, and everyone is treated with fairness and dignity where everyone belongs, is valued and is connected. If you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments in submitting your application, please let us know, and we'll be happy to help.

What we stand for..

We create community and deliver change that transforms the future for everyone. With this in mind, we're committed to ensuring for our colleagues, candidates and communities, that all processes are equitable and everyone is treated with fairness and dignity where everyone belongs, is valued and is connected.

If you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments in submitting your application, please let us know, and we'll be happy to help.