Head of Software Development

Placements24; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Employee stock options

Job summary

Placements24 in Randburg, Gauteng, is seeking a Head of Software Development to lead multiple engineering teams in a FinTech environment. The role drives technical strategy, architecture, and agile delivery across the product portfolio.

The position requires a Master’s degree, 8+ years in software development plus 5+ years in leadership, with strong FinTech exposure and budget oversight. A hybrid work model is offered to balance collaboration and flexibility.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years in software development; at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience leading and scaling software development teams in FinTech.
• Strong understanding of modern software architecture patterns (microservices, SOA).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple software development teams, fostering a collaborative and high‑performance culture.
• Define and drive the technical vision and roadmap for software development initiatives.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle from conceptualization to deployment and maintenance.
• Mentor and develop engineering talent, providing guidance on technical best practices and career growth.
• Manage development budgets, resources, and timelines effectively.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the financial technology (FinTech) space, is seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of Software Development to lead their engineering teams in Randburg . This critical role involves overseeing the design, development, and deployment of cutting-edge software solutions that power our client's diverse product portfolio. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background, exceptional leadership capabilities, and a proven ability to manage multiple development teams in an agile environment. You will be responsible for driving technical strategy, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable software products. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the technological direction of a rapidly growing FinTech company and make a significant impact within the Gauteng technology landscape. A hybrid work model is in place, balancing collaboration and flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple software development teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Define and drive the technical vision and roadmap for software development initiatives.
• Oversee the entire software development lifecycle, from conceptualization to deployment and maintenance.
• Implement and champion agile development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and maintainable software solutions.
• Collaborate closely with product management, QA, and other stakeholders to align development efforts with business objectives.
• Mentor and develop engineering talent, providing guidance on technical best practices and career growth.
• Manage development budgets, resources, and timelines effectively.
• Promote a culture of innovation, code quality, and continuous learning within the engineering organization.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends to drive architectural decisions.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven experience leading and scaling software development teams, preferably in the FinTech industry.
• Strong understanding of modern software architecture patterns (microservices, SOA) and development practices.
• Expertise in various programming languages and technologies relevant to FinTech.
• Demonstrated experience with agile development methodologies and tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem‑solving abilities.
• Experience managing development budgets and project timelines.
• Must be based in or willing to commute to Randburg , Gauteng , and participate in a hybrid work arrangement.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary and bonus structure, along with significant opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Benefits include comprehensive medical aid, a robust retirement fund, and employee stock options. The role comes with a hybrid work arrangement, providing flexibility and work‑life balance. Employees will be part of an innovative and fast‑paced environment, working on challenging projects that have a real-world impact.. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned engineering leader to make a significant contribution to a growing FinTech company in Gauteng .