Group Application Development Manager

DFS FURNITURE LTD; Welton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading furniture retailer in the UK is seeking to appoint a Software Development Manager who will be responsible for leading the Group Software Development team. This role involves driving the software development strategy and ensuring projects are delivered to high standards. The ideal candidate will have proven management experience in a software environment, alongside strong leadership and communication skills. Join a team committed to innovation and excellence in all aspects of software development.

Benefits

Potential Annual Bonus Scheme

Growth and Training

Generous holiday allowance

Employee discounts

Wellbeing Perks

Pension and Savings

Life Assurance and Sick Pay

Qualifications

• Management experience of teams delivering successful outcomes.
• 3-5 years of management experience in a software environment.
• Strong understanding of managing assets and controlling costs.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and line management for the Group Software Development team.
• Oversee the delivery of all work, ensuring high quality.
• Drive team development, including coaching and training.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Management

Communication

Decision Making

Conflict Resolution

People Management

Education

Degree in Computing / IT or related field

Job description

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and line management for the Group Software Development team.
• Contribute to the Group Software Development & Test strategy and drive the delivery of the team's roadmap and objectives.
• Serve as the first point of contact within the business for all software development matters.
• Ensure software development policies and procedures are up‑to‑date, compliant, and aligned with industry best practices.
• Oversee the delivery of all work including project initiatives, bug fixes, and the BAU development backlog, ensuring high quality and timely completion.
• Implement KPIs and reporting to monitor team performance, workload, and support effective performance management.
• Lead change initiatives, simplifying processes and improving routes into the team to enhance efficiency and performance.
• Build and maintain strong cross‑team relationships to create opportunities and overcome challenges benefiting the wider department.
• Drive team development, including coaching, long‑term training plans, and addressing skills gaps.
• Plan and manage sprints: oversee backlogs, sprint planning and reviews.
• Manage third‑party relationships: ensure service levels are met and attend service reviews as needed.
• Standardise ways of working: define consistent processes, reporting, and delivery across the business.
• Monitor and maintain quality: track working standards, identify issues, and implement improvements.
• Maintain the knowledge base: keep software development documentation up‑to‑date.
• Resource management: monitor availability, capacity, and skills gaps to meet operational demand and SLAs.
• Team development: provide coaching, training, and cross‑skilling to improve responsiveness, retention, and succession planning.
• Risk management: identify, mitigate, and manage risks across the function and business.
• Foster continuous improvement: drive problem‑solving, efficiency, and a culture of innovation.
• Remote team management: effectively lead and support remote team members.

Qualifications & Experience

• Management experience of teams delivering successful outcomes.
• 3‑5 years of management experience in a software environment within a retail organisation.
• Degree (or equivalent) in Computing / IT or a related field, or equivalent IT industry experience.
• Budget control / cost management experience.
• Significant experience of formal risk & workload management within defined processes and frameworks.
• Self‑starter who can work under own initiative.

Key Competencies

• Leadership & Strategic Responsibilities.
• Strategic and Team Leadership: provide clear direction, inspire performance, and drive results across the team.
• Integrity and Ownership: uphold the highest professional standards, take ownership of challenges, and proactively resolve issues.
• Resilience and Results: navigate adversity, manage challenging situations, and deliver outcomes with commitment and focus.
• Relationship Management: communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, manage demand, incidents, changes, and strategic initiatives.
• Conflict Resolution: handle complaints, settle disputes, and negotiate to achieve positive outcomes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: build strong internal and external relationships, including suppliers and partners, to support IT and business objectives.
• Decision Making: prioritise effectively based on risk, impact, and urgency; break down complex problems; make timely, sound decisions to resolve issues.
• People Management & Development: coach, mentor, and develop team members; recruit the right talent; set clear objectives and drive high‑performing, customer‑focused teams.
• Team Leadership: build trust, respect, and collaboration across teams; create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• IT Asset & Cost Management: strong understanding of managing assets and controlling costs in an IT environment.
• Proactive & Results‑Oriented: self‑starter with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven Track Record: demonstrated success in delivering outcomes and leading teams effectively.

About DFS

Our Application Development Team works closely with the Test Team and plays a vital role in delivering high‑quality software solutions across the DFS Group, supporting projects, resolving bugs, and managing business‑as‑usual enhancements, driving innovation and maintaining system excellence. In this role, you’ll manage incoming development requests and queries from across the Group, ensuring work is prioritised effectively and delivered to a high standard. You’ll also champion best practice and compliance with key frameworks and processes including software development methodologies, coding standards, security compliance, and change management.

DFS Group is home to DFS, Sofology, and The Sofa Delivery Company – three distinctive brands with a shared mission to bring great design and comfort into every home, affordably, responsibly, and sustainably. At DFS Group, everyone plays a part. Whether you’re supporting our brands or serving our customers, you’re helping shape the future of furniture retail. Each brand has its own identity and creative direction, but we’re united by a culture that puts people and purpose at the heart of everything we do. Everyone welcome. Across our Group, we’re committed to a culture where everyone feels welcome, valued, and can thrive at work. We celebrate diverse voices, champion inclusion, and support each other through our growing colleague networks. We invest in partnerships that drive change, from supporting Doncaster Pride and introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, to partnering with Carers UK and developing leaders with Diversity in Retail. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

Benefits

• Potential Annual Bonus Scheme: contribute to our success and get rewarded for it.
• Growth and Training: learn new skills and develop your career with us.
• Leave: enjoy a great holiday allowance, with the option to buy 5 extra days. Take advantage of our enhanced leave for Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental, and Adoption, plus a paid volunteering day each year.
• Discounts: get 30% off DFS and Sofology products for yourself, plus discounts for friends and family – and savings at big brands like Sainsbury’s, ASOS, and IKEA.
• Wellbeing Perks: access healthcare services, an Employee Assistance Programme, and discounted gym memberships.
• Pension and Savings: join our Group Pension and Sharesave schemes.
• Life Assurance & Sick Pay: peace of mind with Life Assurance and Company Sick Pay.