HEAD OF SOFTWARE

Business Systems Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,900,000; Full time

Job summary

Business Systems Group is seeking a Head of Software Engineering to lead and evolve its software engineering capability from Johannesburg. The role focuses on building a market-leading, high-performing and sustainable capability that delivers measurable client value through technology-led transformation.

As a strategic and technical leader, you will shape engineering by talent development, innovation, and client engagement.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of professional software engineering experience.
• 8+ years leading teams, engineering communities or capabilities.
• Proven experience delivering enterprise-scale software solutions.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong consulting, client-facing or professional services experience.
• Experience building and scaling technical capabilities.
• Experience recruiting, developing and retaining engineering talent.
• Experience establishing engineering standards and delivery practices.
• Experience contributing to business growth, sales support and solutioning.
• Experience leading engineering transformations.
• Experience building engineering communities of practice.
• Experience with AI-enabled software delivery.
• Experience managing capability profitability, utilisation and growth metrics.
• Experience contributing to thought leadership and market positioning.

Skills

Leadership

Software engineering

People management

Client engagement

Strategic thinking

Engineering excellence

Talent development

Thought leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems

Honours Degree

Master's Degree

MBA

Cloud Platform Certifications

Job description

Location: Johannesburg, hybrid. Blend of work-from-home, client, and office engagement.

We are looking for a Head of Software Engineering to lead and evolve BSG's Software Engineering capability. You will be responsible for ensuring the capability remains a market-leading, high-performing and sustainable source of value for our clients, our people and our business.

As both a strategic and technical leader, you will shape the future of engineering at BSG through capability development, people leadership, engineering excellence, innovation and client engagement. You will create an environment where exceptional engineers can build meaningful careers while helping clients solve complex business challenges through technology-led transformation.

This role is suited to someone who combines strong technical credibility with proven people and business leadership capabilities and who is passionate about developing talent, building communities and shaping the future of modern software engineering.

The role works in close partnership with the Partner for Software Engineering and Technology Consulting and the Senior and Principal Engineering leadership group, helping to define, refine and execute the Software Engineering strategy and long-term growth agenda.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Head of Software Engineering is responsible for building and leading a world-class Software Engineering capability that develops exceptional talent, advances engineering excellence and innovation, and helps clients realise measurable business value through technology-led transformation.

The role provides strategic leadership across client delivery, talent development, capability growth, engineering practices and technology strategy, ensuring that BSG remains:

• A destination employer for engineering talent


• A recognised leader in modern software engineering


• A trusted technology partner for clients


• A sustainable and commercially successful engineering capability

The Head of Software Engineering acts as the custodian of the Software Engineering strategy, balancing current business performance with future capability growth while fostering an engaged engineering community committed to continuous learning, technical excellence and business impact.

• Bachelor's Degree, Honours Degree or equivalent qualification in:
  
  
  
  • Computer Science
  
  
  • Software Engineering
  
  
  • Computer Engineering
  
  
  • Information Systems
  
  


• Advantageous
  
  
  
  • Honours Degree or Master's Degree
  
  
  • MBA or Postgraduate Business Qualification
  
  
  • Cloud Platform Certifications (Microsoft Azure, AWS or Google Cloud)
  
  
  • Architecture, Agile, Product or Engineering Leadership certifications
  
  

EXPERIENCE

• 15+ years of professional software engineering experience


• 8+ years leading teams, engineering communities or capabilities


• Proven experience delivering enterprise-scale software solutions


• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams


• Strong consulting, client-facing or professional services experience


• Experience building and scaling technical capabilities


• Experience recruiting, developing and retaining engineering talent


• Experience establishing engineering standards and delivery practices


• Experience contributing to business growth, sales support and solutioning


• Experience leading engineering transformations


• Experience building engineering communities of practice


• Experience with AI-enabled software delivery


• Experience managing capability profitability, utilisation and growth metrics


• Experience contributing to thought leadership and market positioning

You embody BSG's values through your leadership approach:

Note: Wegive full consideration to every applicant's fit to this role, so if you decide to apply and you do not hear from BSG within a maximum of a four week period, please consider your application unsuccessful at this time.