Head of Product Development

TN United Kingdom; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious law firm is seeking a Head of Product Development to lead their dynamic IT team. This role involves managing a talented group of software developers, ensuring high-quality data and solutions that align with the firm's strategic objectives. You will leverage your extensive experience in software development and Agile methodologies to foster innovation and efficiency. As a key player in the IT Leadership Team, you will guide the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, including Microsoft Cloud platforms, while creating a results-oriented culture. Join this established firm and make a significant impact on their digital transformation journey.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Long Service holiday award

Private Healthcare with BUPA

Scottish Widows Pension Scheme

Staff Profit Share and Performance Bonus

Life Assurance - 4 x salary

Paid CSR Day

Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave

Subsidised gym membership

Agile/Hybrid Working Policy

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience managing a Software Development team.
• Senior development background with 6+ years of hands-on software development experience.
• Proven experience in overseeing the full Software Development Life Cycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Product Development team and manage IT systems for quality data.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance user experience and align with strategic vision.
• Implement Agile methodologies for product development and manage development vendors.

Skills

Software Development Management

Agile Methodology

Project Management

Change Management

Communication Skills

Leadership Skills

API Management

Microservices Architecture

Test Driven Development

Programming Languages (.NET, C#, React)

Education

Management and Leadership Qualifications

Agile Scrum Certification

Tools

Azure DevOps

Agile Development Tools

Job description

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Your newpany

A prestigious full-service UK Top 50 law firm with a heritage spanning 160 years. The firm boasts over 700 lawyers and legal professionals across multiple locations, including Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, and Sevenoaks. They provide legal advice to businesses, government and public sector organisations, and individuals both domestically and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation, and private client advisory.

The role leads and manages the Product Development team within the wider IT Team. The IT team's operating model is based on cross-functional teams [Squads], which are autonomous and focused on delivering specific products and solutions efficiently and effectively through collaboration and self-organisation.

Your new role

The Head of Product Development will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to provide technical vision and leadership, successfully developing and implementing new solutions, products, and services to enhance user experience and output, aligning delivery with the firm's strategic vision.

Responsibilities include ensuring the firm's IT systems maintain the highest quality data, conforming to industry standards, and managing this data to the highest standard. The role involves line management of the Product Development Team, membership in the IT Leadership Team, and acting as the primary development technologies specialist. Collaboration with the Solutions Architect and senior IT team members is essential to ensure solutions are designed and developed in line with the firm's strategies, particularly using Microsoft Cloud-based technologies/platforms.

1. Documentation, technical specifications, program/project management, programming, and testing/quality assurance on all systems, projects, and products produced.
2. Writing, reviewing, and approving code to ensure accuracy, secure by design principles, and functionality.
3. Ensuring developed solutions align with the firm's business, technology, and data strategies.
4. Building a high-performing Agile team, following Agile methodology for product development, focusing on objectives, tracking, and managing via KPIs.
5. Managing development vendors and internal resources to rapidly release products and services.
6. Creating a strong agile SCRUM development environment, leading the adoption of agile development methodologies and tools.
7. Developing long-term strategies for software and application development to support the firm's business, data, and technology strategies.
8. Overseeing functional/technical specifications and documentation of products and services/processes.
9. Leading the Product Development team to create and execute appropriate project plans, test strategies, and processes.
10. Developing a team of technology experts who understand the business and work effectively with vendors and other development staff.
11. Building an effective development team through coaching, mentoring, and developing team members.
12. Understanding where AI and emerging technologies can maximise business value and keeping up to date with industry trends.

What you'll need to succeed

1. 3+ years of experience managing and leading a Software Development team.
2. Senior development background with at least 6+ years of hands-on software development experience.
3. Proven experience in overseeing the full implementation of the Software Development Life Cycle.
4. Experience leading a team working within Azure DevOps and running DevOps methodologies.
5. Certified Agile Scrum methodology practitioner.
6. Management and Leadership qualifications.
7. Strong leadership, project, and change management skills.
8. Proven success in defining, building, and releasing software-based solutions.
9. Expertise in agile development methodology and toolkits.
10. Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
11. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
12. Ability to create a dynamic results-oriented culture within the Development team.
13. Strong experience in development frameworks and API management.
14. Detailed understanding of Microservices and development as part of a wider architectural strategy.
15. Experience in Test Driven Development and automated test processes.
16. Detailed understanding of APIs and extensive experience using 3rd party APIs.
17. Advanced knowledge of programming languages and frameworks such as .NET, C#, React/JavaScript, J2EE, JQuery.

What you'll get in return

1. 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays (rising to 30 days)
2. Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
3. Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
4. Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
5. Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
6. Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
7. Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
8. Paid CSR Day
9. Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
10. Subsidised gym membership
11. Electric car scheme
12. Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
13. Dress for your Day Policy