VP - Software Manager

Davies Talent Solutions; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Davies Talent Solutions is partnering with a leading investment management firm to appoint a Vice President, Software Development Manager in Chicago. This high‑visibility role leads a development team delivering technology solutions across Investments, Performance & Analytics, and Investor Services.

You will combine people leadership with hands‑on engineering, influence senior stakeholders, and drive the design, delivery, and evolution of critical platforms to support business growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• 8+ years in software development with hands-on engineering, including leadership roles.
• Strong expertise in .NET/C# and SQL Server environments.
• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver complex technology initiatives.
• Experience engaging senior stakeholders across technology and business domains.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a software engineering team to high performance.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership across architecture, design, and delivery.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to translate priorities into scalable solutions.
• Influence technology strategy and the long-term platform vision.
• Govern initiatives, manage risks, dependencies and delivery challenges.
• Drive planning and delivery of strategic programmes and technology initiatives.
• Identify risks and dependencies and manage delivery challenges.
• Ensure secure, scalable, maintainable systems with great user experience.
• Contribute to roadmaps, innovation, and continuous improvement programs.
• Demonstrate history delivering complex technology initiatives.

Skills

People leadership

Stakeholder management

Software architecture

Hands-on coding

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science or related field

Tools

.NET/C#

SQL Server

Job description

We are partnering with a leading investment management organisation to appoint a Vice President, Software Development Manager. This is a highly visible leadership position responsible for overseeing a development team that delivers technology solutions supporting core business functions, including Investments, Performance & Analytics, and Investor Services.

As a VP-level leader, you will combine people leadership, technical expertise, and strategic business partnership to drive the design, delivery, and evolution of critical technology platforms. This role requires a hands-on technology leader who can influence senior stakeholders, lead high-performing teams, and ensure technology investments directly support business objectives and long-term growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of software engineers, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership across architecture, design, development, and implementation activities.
• Partner closely with senior business stakeholders to understand priorities, translate requirements, and deliver scalable technology solutions.
• Act as a trusted advisor on technology strategy, helping shape and execute the organisation's long-term technology vision.
• Collaborate with technology and business leaders to ensure initiatives are appropriately prioritised, governed, and aligned with business objectives.
• Drive the planning and delivery of strategic programmes and technology initiatives.
• Establish effective governance frameworks, proactively identifying risks, dependencies, and delivery challenges.
• Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, maintainable, and deliver an exceptional user experience.
• Contribute to technology roadmap planning, innovation initiatives, and continuous improvement programmes.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• 8+ years of experience in software development, including significant hands-on engineering experience.
• Strong technical expertise in .NET/C# and SQL Server environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading software development teams and successfully delivering complex technology initiatives.
• Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders across both technology and business functions.
• Experience operating within financial services, investment management, asset management, or similarly regulated environments.
• Strong project and programme delivery experience, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands.

Preferred Experience

• Background within investment management, alternative investments, private markets, or broader financial services sectors.
• Understanding of fund accounting, investment operations, or related business processes.
• Experience with modern application development and integration technologies, including:
• REST APIs
• JSON
• React
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Track record of building and developing high-performing technical teams.
• Passion for delivering high-quality technology solutions that create measurable business value.

Why This Opportunity?

This VP-level position offers the chance to play a pivotal role in shaping technology strategy and delivery within a growing investment organisation. The successful candidate will have significant visibility across the business and the opportunity to influence both technology direction and business outcomes while leading the development of critical enterprise platforms.