Development team lead (OpenAthens) - Hybrid

Talent Team; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as a Development Team Lead, where you will oversee software engineers and drive the delivery of innovative products. This pivotal role focuses on enhancing user experiences in information access management. Embrace a hybrid work culture that values collaboration and creativity, allowing you to work from home while also engaging with your team in the Bristol office. With a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development, this position offers a chance to make a significant impact in the education and research sectors.

Benefits

Flexible work pattern

31 days annual leave

Annual performance award

Health care cash plan

Professional development budget

Home office allowance

Financial well-being support

Charity donation option

Cycle to work scheme

Employee recognition awards

Qualifications

• Experience managing software development teams.
• Strong background in agile environments and product management.

Responsibilities

• Manage software engineers in developing OpenAthens products.
• Collaborate with Product Team to deliver product improvements.

Skills

Team Management

Agile Methodologies

Software Development

Leadership Skills

Software Architecture

Job description

Development team lead (OpenAthens) - Hybrid

15 April 2025

Salary: From £55,000 per annum negotiable depending on experience + fantastic benefits

Jisc grade: TSO3 (internal use only)

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Reports into: Head of software development

Location: Hybrid - A blend of working from home and our Bristol office. We value in person interactions and cross team working so there is the requirement to be in the Bristol office one day a week. This will give you further opportunity for collaboration, experimentation, and creativity to build relationships with the team and the area of the business unit you are working with.

About Jisc:

Jisc is the UK digital, data and technology agency focused on tertiary education, research, and innovation. We are a not-for-profit organisation with a big ambition to improve lives through education and research by providing hardware, software, and networking solutions. Our talented people bring their own unique skills and experience to empower our members and customers with the technology they need to succeed. Take your next career step with us and you can make a real difference to the education and research sectors.

About the role:

OpenAthens has the vision to become the world’s most user-friendly information access management experience, helping academics, students, scientists, and library patrons gain access to the knowledge they need to achieve great things.

The Software Development Team Lead is responsible for managing software engineers in the development and maintenance of the OpenAthens products. The role involves working closely with the Product Team and other stakeholders to drive the delivery of key product improvements.

This is a pivotal role, owning and shaping the delivery of one or more areas of the OpenAthens product portfolio.

Responsibilities will include:

• Work closely with the Product Team, (e.g. Product managers and UX designers) to support the creation and subsequent delivery of product and sprint goals.
• Use agile processes (SCRUM/Kanban) to deliver product changes at pace and with quality. Support and educate teams and implement continuous improvement.
• Ensure teams deliver solutions that comply with agreed architectures and meet agreed technical standards
• Oversee test personnel and testing processes, prioritising automation to drive both quality and efficiency
• Liaise with DevOps, Service and Support teams to ensure the smooth transition of product changes into the live service

Key Skills and Experience:

• Previous experience of managing software development teams.
• Experience working with a product management team in an agile environment.
• A record of successfully delivering software projects.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Good knowledge of software architecting and design principles.

We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they think they can’t tick every box, so we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the requirements, but you feel this role is perfect for you. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!

Why work for us?

At Jisc, everyone plays a key role and gets the chance to feel part of it, that to us is the definition of a meaningful career. We want to create a culture of lifelong learning. You can look forward to a rewarding job with opportunities to develop and make a real difference to the education and research sectors.

We believe a balance between your personal and professional life is essential to your happiness and fulfilment. We work flexibly at Jisc and focus on outputs rather than presenteeism and are open to a whole range of ways of working.

It isn’t about how many hours you spend at home or at work; it’s about the flow you establish that brings energy to both parts of your life. Our hybrid working policy is flexible, and the frequency of time spent in your nominated office will vary across teams and job roles.

Take a look at our fantastic benefits! We offer:

• Flexible work pattern, which can adapt to suit your schedules and personal commitments
• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) that includes an additional three closure days over Christmas plus the opportunity to buy up to an additional 5 days
• Annual Jisc performance award
• A range of wellbeing lifestyle benefits including company paid health care cash plan, employee assistance programme, mental health first aiders and support
• A generous budget to support you with external learning and continuous professional development
• Allocated allowance of up to £250 to equip your home office
• Financial well-being support including access to preferential loan and savings plans, mortgage advice, will writing tools and support and resources to help you make the most of your money
• The opportunity to donate to charity tax-free with our Payroll Giving benefit
• Electric Car Lease Scheme and option to purchase SmartTech – spreading the cost of your everyday white goods and technology
• A wide range of discounts from retailers and big-name high-street stores and CSSC membership
• Family friendly policies including enhanced parental, maternity and paternity leave and opportunity for career breaks
• Support your volunteering with up to 3 days volunteer leave
• Cycle to work scheme and eye care scheme including free eye test vouchers and £70 towards new glasses for VDU use
• Free flu vaccinations
• Employee recognition awards and travel loans
• A company culture which supports and promotes personal learning and development, including access to thousands of courses on LinkedIn Learning

Equity, diversity and inclusion:

At Jisc, we don’t look for ‘sameness’, but to truly include people who can add unique perspectives and experiences to our culture, and we are working hard to achieve progressive change. ‘Always inclusive’ is one of our six guiding principles which actively encourages us to bring our whole authentic selves to work. We believe that our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to our success.

Jisc believes our people make all the difference in cultivating an inclusive culture that welcomes ideas, encourages innovation, and values belonging. We work with passionate colleagues to strengthen knowledge and awareness, provide learning and development opportunities, and foster multiple employee networks which create a sense of community and influence our policies and practice.

We work hard to create an equitable experience for our candidates and workforce which embraces all aspects of their identity including race and ethnicity, religion and belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, trans identities, age, class, disability, neurodivergence, or veteran status.

Application process:

We want you to showcase your talent throughout the recruitment process. Please let us know how we can best support you to do that; for example, if there are any reasonable adjustments we may be able to put in place. We will be happy to help you.

Just so you know, we review CVs as soon as we can and aim to provide an update on your application within 4 weeks of receiving it. However, you may hear from us a lot sooner, so please keep an eye out for our emails or calls!

If you are currently a Jisc employee, please apply through your Dayforce Employee profile.

Jisc has an active sponsor licence to recruit on a Skilled worker visa basis. Candidates wishing to apply who require sponsorship should determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevantHome Office criteria. Jisc does not offer any financial re-imbursement towards the applicant costs, such as re-location, skilled worker visa and dependant costs or the immigration health charge.

No agencies please.

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