Associate Director, Product Software Engineering

Wolters Kluwer; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global information services company seeks an Associate Director to lead product development in Tax & Accounting. You will manage a team of over 150 engineers, evaluate software processes, and define strategic objectives. The role requires extensive experience in software engineering and exceptional leadership skills. This position offers competitive pay and investment in professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in product software engineering with leadership experience.
• Fluent in English; Dutch is a plus.
• Demonstrated success in leading change initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of product suite in Tax & Accounting.
• Evaluate software products and processes for compliance.
• Define strategies for software project delivery.

Skills

Leadership in software engineering

Agile methodologies

Analytical skills

People management

Communication skills

Customer-oriented mind

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology

Job description

Overview

As Associate Director within the Region West portfolio, you will lead the development of a suite of products in the Tax & Accounting business. You will oversee Architecture, Design, Development, and DevSecOps, while ensuring alignment with organizational standards and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Development Strategy – Evaluate software products and processes to ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices. Drive adoption of modern architectural patterns, frameworks, and technologies. Continuously monitor and improve development processes.
• Team Leadership & Management – Lead, coach, and inspire a team of ~150 software engineers across local and offshore locations. Foster high-performing, collaborative teams, promoting knowledge-sharing and innovation. Support career growth through mentoring, training, and performance management.
• Strategic Delivery – Define objectives and strategies for software projects aligned with business goals. Oversee project prioritization, technical approaches, and resource allocation. Manage departmental budgets and development costs, ensuring financial discipline. Provide innovative solutions to overcome complex technical challenges.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Build strong relationships across functions in a matrixed organization. Communicate effectively with stakeholders, peers, and subordinates to ensure alignment and collaboration.
• Travel – Occasional travel to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Porto, with an annual visit to teams in India.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in product software engineering, with proven leadership in large-scale teams.
• Expertise in Agile methodologies (Lean, SAFe, etc.).
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and vision-setting skills.
• Excellent people management and communication skills.
• Customer-oriented with strong business acumen.
• Demonstrated success in leading change initiatives.
• Curious, eager to learn, and fluent in English (Dutch is a plus).

Additional Information

Leading a department of 150+ engineers, you will establish development standards across product groups, build and maintain robust product roadmaps with Product Management, and drive successful delivery against strategic plans. Collaboration with technology teams across the European Tax & Accounting business will be key to success in this role. Applicants may be required to appear onsite at a Wolters Kluwer office as part of the recruitment process.

In addition to a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, Wolters Kluwer invests in your professional development to help you achieve your full potential.