Head of Software Development

Progress Sales Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading tech recruitment agency is seeking a Head of Software Development to lead and inspire a dynamic software development team. This home-based role, with occasional access to Manchester offices, requires at least 5 years of experience, including 3 years in a leadership position. The ideal candidate will drive innovation in a collaborative environment, managing teams and contributing to strategic direction, with a focus on delivering life-saving pharmaceutical solutions.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years in the software development industry, including 3 years in a leadership role.
• Familiarity with agile and waterfall methodologies.
• Experience in line management, covering mentoring and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage a team of 4-8 people, ensuring workloads are balanced.
• Provide high-level technical guidance and mentor team members.
• Collaborate with other Heads of Teams to ensure smooth project delivery.
• Contribute to the development of technical and product road maps.

Skills

Leadership

Web programming (.NET, C, Angular)

Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)

Education

Degree in a relevant subject

Tools

Atlassian JIRA

Atlassian Confluence

Cloud technologies (Azure)

Job description

Head of Software Development

Basic Salary – £70-80k (Neg) with bonus and package

Home based role with access to prestigious offices in the Manchester area circa 1-2 times per week

Solution — The “data” held within Electronic Health records is analysed and interpreted by software and that is subsequently used as a service that advances drug development. The data is used to direct research and deliver tangible benefits to research-based companies - BIG PHARMA developing new pharmaceutical products / drugs. The solutions afford clinical customers a real time “live” searchable database that provides a wealth of information to assist companies’ developing pioneering lifesaving drugs and devices cutting development time, saving money, and impacting the health of millions globally.

Are you ready to take the helm of a dynamic software development team and drive innovation within a leading organisation? This role offers the chance to lead, inspire, and shape the future of cutting‑edge software products…

Why This Role Stands Out

• Leadership Impact : Guide and mentor a talented team of developers, fostering a culture of continual improvement and personal development.
• Strategic Influence : Play a pivotal role in shaping technical and product strategies, ensuring the successful delivery of software that meets business and client needs.
• Collaborative Environment : Work closely with other Heads of Teams, Product Managers, and senior management to ensure unified and effective operational running.
• Professional Growth : Engage in a role that offers both managerial and technical challenges, providing ample room for professional development and career progression.

Key Responsibilities

• Managerial : Directly manage a team of 4-8 people, ensuring workloads are balanced and knowledge is effectively shared. Foster a positive team culture, protect against burnout, and support ongoing personal development through regular 1-to-1s.
• Technical : Provide high‑level technical guidance, mentor team members, and make direct contributions through pull‑requests and code reviews. Manage technical debt and identify risks, ensuring the team uses best practices and up-to-date tools.
• Operational : Collaborate with other Heads of Teams and the Business Delivery Team to ensure smooth project delivery. Support the Quality Team through technical audits and maintain effective processes. Work with the IT & Data to enhance DevOps practices and cyber security.
• Strategic : Contribute to the development of technical and product road maps, identify and manage technical risks, and provide input to senior management.

Person Specification

Essential :

• A degree in a relevant subject with at least 5 years in the software development industry, including 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proficiency in web programming concepts and technologies (ideally .NET, C, and Angular) and familiarity with cloud technologies (preferably Azure).
• Experience with agile and waterfall methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban.
• Proven track record in line management, covering mentoring, motivating, objective setting, training, and performance management.
• Demonstrable experience in delivering technical work within time and budget constraints, with a solid understanding of the software development lifecycle.

Desirable :

• Knowledge of Atlassian tools JIRA and Confluence, including some experience with Jira configuration.
• Understanding of DevOps, clinical trials, GCP, and GxP.
• Experience in hands‑on software testing and requirements analysis.

This role is perfect for a solution‑oriented, diplomatic, and empathetic leader with a passion for technology and innovation. If you are committed to delivering excellence and ready to make a significant impact, this could be the next exciting step in your career