Senior Software Development Manager & Architect

Bord Bia; Dublin; On-site; EUR 91,838 - 109,218; Full time

Job summary

Bord Bia in Dublin, Ireland seeks a Senior Software Development Manager & Architect to provide independent technical oversight for the SQAS digital transformation project. The role focuses on architecture, quality, security and scalability in a complex system for farm assurance and certification management.

The successful candidate will lead architectural decisions, review partner deliverables and advise on AI usage within the SDLC.

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of modern web application architecture, cloud infrastructure, API design and system integration.
• Good understanding and experience of AI tools and technology within a software development life cycle (e.g. Anthropic AI Claude).
• Excellent communication skills – able to translate complex technical matters for non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provides independent technical direction of the SQAS programme from a Bord Bia perspective, ensuring the platform is built to high standards of quality, security and scalability.
• Develops understanding of platform architecture, data model and system design to enable informed technical challenge and decision-making.
• Provides independent technical advice on AI usage to support software projects, both internal and with external partners.
• Reviews architecture decisions, infrastructure design, integration approaches and non-functional requirements.
• Chairs or co-chairs the Design Authority, contributing technical judgement to architecture reviews.
• Reviews ADRs, technical specs and designs from external partner and flags risks.
• Advises on vendor knowledge-transfer plans and documentation standards.
• Acts as the primary technical resource for Bord Bia during the programme.
• Provides feedback on vendor team composition, SDLC practices and delivery quality.
• Supports onboarding of the Technical Programme Manager with context and background.

Skills

Web architecture

Cloud infrastructure

API design

AI in SDLC

Communication skills

Tools

Anthropic Claude

Job description

Senior Software Development Manager & Architect

Dublin, Ireland

Reports to: Director Origin Green

Grade 3

Salary: €91,838 - €109,218

Purpose

Bord Bia has a vision that customers around the globe recognise that Irish food and drink is world‑class; that it is high quality, distinctive, and made by a diverse range of creative producers from a unique and fortuitous island location.

Our purpose is to bring Ireland’s outstanding food, drink and horticulture to the world, thus enabling growth and sustainability of producers.

Bord Bia is seeking an experienced Senior Software Development Manager & Architect to provide independent technical oversight and direction of the Sustainability & Quality Assurance System (SQAS) programme – a strategic digital transformation initiative being delivered in partnership with an external Delivery Partner. The programme is seeking to deliver a new audit & certification management system to facilitate the Bord Bia Farm Assurance Standard (FAS) based on the legacy quality management system which was developed by the external Delivery Partner over the past two decades.

This is a senior advisory role, appointed on a Three Year, Specialised Purpose Contract (SPC), designed to build Bord Bia’s architectural and technical expertise and support the management of the external Delivery Partner.

What you’ll do:

• Provides independent technical direction of the SQAS programme from a Bord Bia perspective, ensuring the platform is built to appropriate standards of quality, security, and scalability.

• Develops sufficient understanding of the platform architecture, codebase structure, data model and system design to enable informed technical challenge and decision‑making on behalf of Bord Bia and to inform the future direction of the product.

• Provide independent technical advice in relation to the use of AI technology to support the delivery of software development projects both internally and through external software development partners.

• Reviews and provides input on key technical decisions – including architectural choices, infrastructure design, integration approaches, and non‑functional requirements (performance, scalability, security, accessibility).

• Chairs or co‑chairs the Design Authority alongside the Bord Bia Programme Owner, contributing technical judgement to architecture decision reviews.

• Reviews Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), technical specifications, and system design documentation produced by the external Delivery Partner – and flags risks or concerns to the Programme Owner.

• Advises on the adequacy of vendor’s knowledge‑transfer plan and documentation standards.

• Acts as the primary technical resource for Bord Bia during the programme, reducing dependence on the vendor for technical interpretation and advice.

• Provides structured feedback on vendor team composition, SDLC practices, and delivery quality to the Programme Owner and Sponsor.

• Supports onboarding of the Technical Programme Manager, sharing technical context and programme background.

About you:

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

Knowledge:

• Strong working knowledge of modern web application architecture, cloud infrastructure, API design, and system integration.

• Good understanding and previous experience of AI tools and technology within a software development life cycle (e.g. Anthropic AI Claude).

• Excellent communication skills – able to translate complex technical matters for non‑technical stakeholders.

Skills and Capability:

• Significant experience (15+ years) in software development, software architecture, technical programme delivery, or senior engineering leadership.

• Demonstrable experience delivering or overseeing large‑scale, complex software platforms – ideally in a regulated, public‑sector, or agri/food context.

• Ability to review and interpret technical documentation, code, and architecture diagrams to a level sufficient to provide credible challenge.

• Experience advising clients or stakeholders on technical risk, vendor governance, and procurement readiness.

• High levels of professional integrity and independence; able to provide honest, evidence‑based technical assessments.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills & Capabilities

Knowledge:

• Familiarity with GDPR, data protection obligations, and security compliance frameworks.

• Background in food, agri, or certification/audit systems.

Skills and Capability:

• Experience in agile/SDLC governance and delivery assurance frameworks.

Closing Date/Time: Friday, August 7th 2026 @ 13:00hrs (GMT/UTC +1)

Bord Bía is an Equal Opportunities Employer: We want to see a society where everyone is equal. We know our foundation must be an equitable workplace that recognises the dignity and worth of everyone and gives all our employees the freedom and opportunity to fulfil their potential: we want for you to be able to bring your whole self to work, so you can be the best you can be and live your purpose whilst developing your career with us. Our talented and diverse workforce also reflects the diversity of our clients, customers and markets by utilising their range of skills, knowledge and experience. Harnessing the wide range of perspectives this diversity brings, promotes innovation and helps make us more creative and competitive.

Bord Bia is committed to ensuring that all recruitment candidates have complete and equitable access as can reasonably be provided. If you require any support or accommodation as part of the recruitment process, please contact us directly at [e-mail].