Lead Developer

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA); Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

25 days annual leave

Bank Holidays

Staff discount portal

Career development

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is seeking a Technical Lead to steer the Digital Delivery Software Development and Quality Assurance capability. You will lead a team of developers and QA engineers, drive value through the development lifecycle, and shape the department's technical strategy within a government context.

You will recruit, develop, and manage performance, while collaborating with senior stakeholders to deliver high-value digital services with robust standards and

Qualifications

• Understanding of value-based delivery in software projects.
• Working knowledge of Test-Driven Development (TDD).
• Experience with Agile methodologies in a technical role.
• Awareness of data and security best practices in software development.
• Appreciation of government delivery contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead as Technical Lead for high-value initiatives, driving standards and continuous improvement through Scrum.
• Influence tool selection based on requirements analysis and industry best practices.
• Promote proactive management of technical debt and continual software improvement.
• Guide technical teams in problem-solving and optioneering with sound analysis.
• Collaborate with Delivery Leads to ensure skilled technical expertise and manage resources.

Skills

Value-based delivery

TDD knowledge

Agile

Data security awareness

Govt context awareness

Job description

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Location:

Bristol, Swansea, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Oldham (Chadderton), Birmingham (Garretts Green) or Uxbridge (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

Candidates based in Yeading/Uxbridge will receive the London Weighting allowance of £4,000

Plus an additional Government Digital and Data Profession allowance (non-pensionable) up to £22,614

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

The successful candidate will lead the Digital Delivery Software Development and Quality Assurance technical capability for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

They will provide technical leadership, direction, and inspiration to their team of software developers and software quality assurance engineers and will be focused on delivering value to the respective digital services.

They will assist the principal developer with team organisation, motivation, and assessment. This will include recruitment, development, and performance management of team members.

As part of the technical steering team the role holder will also manage the definition and implementation of departmental technical development and test strategy to drive Digital plans across all DVSA customer facing services.

Top Responsibilities

• Act as Technical Lead for high-value initiatives driving development and test standards and continuous improvement through Scrum.
• Use industry best practice and knowledge to make agency policy decisions relating to technical tool selection based on analysis of requirements.
• Create a culture that proactively manages the risks of technical debt by ensuring continual software improvement.
• Lead technical teams in relation to problem solving and technical optioneering, driving and supporting teams to make technical recommendations based on sound analysis and knowledge.
• Work closely with Delivery Leads and Lead Developer management to ensure appropriately skilled technical expertise is in place across Digital Services, owning a resource requirement pipeline against skillset is managed.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.

About You

• A sound understanding of value-based delivery and planning and ability to drive solutions through the development lifecycle.
• A working understanding of Test-Driven Development (TDD) and quality software development in an enterprise-level environment.
• Experience in Agile methodology as part of technical job families.
• An awareness of Data and Security best practice and how this relates to software development and quality assurance.
• An appreciation of the requirements of software delivery within a government context.

Additional Information

The role is part of the Government Digital and Data (or Government Security Profession Career Framework) profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £59,816. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £22,614 .

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process.