Head of Software Engineering

Job responsibilities

As Head of Profession for Software Engineering you will be responsible for developing and directing the strategy for NHSBSAs software development capability and capacity and have the overall responsibility for the Software Development Strategy, including the development process and methodology, across the NHSBSA.

Working in collaboration with Heads of Profession you will support the vision for roadmaps and delivery of products and services within the NHSBSA. You will work and collaborate with internal and external business owners, partners, suppliers, and product delivery teams, whilst planning for capability and skills alignment.

You will role model and actively participate in achieving the NHSBSA purpose and goals through the development of organisational and directorate culture that is open, empowers innovation and champions on-going service development and performance improvement.

You will horizon scan, working with service owners and Partner Organisations (SME and Global) to identify emerging technologies and innovations that will deliver improvements to our services. You will work closely with service owners to make the case for change and implement those changes working in collaboration with Architecture and key stakeholders.

You will be comfortable at both the strategic level and the detail where necessary, providing a level of clarity for the use of innovative technologies whilst also bringing high levels of creativity to the solutions proposed.

You will professionally lead a team of developers and testers who will work across our Digital, Technology and Data products and services providing strategic leadership to these teams as Head of Profession and community, creating the conditions which enable the team to be their best and thrive, championing personal growth and career pathways and development of the team.

You will establish development standards and roadmaps while still having the opportunity to get into the code via the development of exemplar patterns that will be leveraged to accelerate the teams delivery.

You will lead a range of commercial activities creating and developing opportunities to increase efficiencies by leveraging and harnessing emerging technologies with both existing and new services with whom you will target, initiate, and develop business relationships.

In this role, you are accountable for:

1. Ensuring the strategic direction and performance of the organisations development standards and contribute to the development of the organisations strategic and annual business plans.
2. Acting as a senior manager of the directorate and wider business, work within the corporate governance framework and demonstrate the values and capabilities of the organisation and ensure that the NHSBSA meets its statutory and legislative obligations.
3. As a senior member of the directorate and wider business play an active and collaborative role in the effective management and achievement of the goals of the NHS Business Services Authority, recognising the significant impact that the NHSBSAs activities has on many people and services within the NHS.
4. Developing and implementing appropriate strategies and methodologies to actively manage the services of NHSBSA with all key stakeholders.
5. Be the Head of Profession for Software Engineering, leading the professional community, creating the conditions which enable the team to perform and excel, ensuring transparency and engagement and collaboration across the team and the wider organisation.
6. Deputising for the Head of DDaT Capability and Operations as required.
7. Working as part of the professional Management Team, particularly in terms of accountability for delivery of the NHSBSA DDaT Strategy and Services from a Software Engineering standpoint which includes development and test.
8. Working collaboratively with business leaders and their teams to identify and analyse strategic initiatives, develop actionable strategic plans, and drive execution against plans.
9. Proactively build effective working relationships with key stakeholders both within and external to the organisation to identify, promote and implement best practice, develop business relationships, and identify strategic initiatives which leverage emerging digital technologies.
10. Building an internal and strong external image for the NHSBSA and take opportunities to enhance the profile and promote the reputation of the NHSBSA and its services.
11. Building profession industry standards and global networks by working across private and public organisations to share Best Practice.
12. Line management responsibility for principal developers and professional lead for test, support the development and performance of the software development community including objectives setting fully aligned to departmental and organisational objectives and goals. Support career development though mentoring and coaching and advising on career paths to encourage pro-active development of skills and capabilities. Conduct meaningful appraisals and 1-1s, identifying and meeting development needs.
13. Working across the Directorate team and wider business act as a driving force behind the implementation and adherence to Development and Testing Standards.
14. Lead and oversee multiple programmes that produce recommendations for addressing major strategic issues and working with colleagues to develop business plans for those programmes.
15. Bringing and role modelling a strong customer driven culture that is evidence-based approach to drive innovation and create customer and business value.
16. Developing, with the input of senior colleagues specifically across multi-disciplinary teams to create appropriate standards including metrics and performance for service performance, ensuring that these enable the achievement of the directorates goals.
17. Identifying opportunities through strategy and performance, working in collaboration across the communities to create a backlog for continuous improvement, operational economies, and financial savings.
18. Responsibility for effectively managing financial budgets in accordance with NHSBSAs policies, financial regulations, and legislative requirements.
19. Responsibility for the Software Development and Testing communitys development and performance objectives, setting the strategy and work with Principal Developers and Team Managers to create fully aligned goals for departmental and organisational objectives and goals. Support career development though mentoring and coaching and advising on career paths to encourage pro-active development of skills and capabilities. Conduct joint meaningful appraisals and 1-1s, identifying and meeting development needs with direct reports.
20. Undertake recruitment and selection in line with organisational processes and participate in the implementation and delivery of initiatives to secure suitable resources, increase skills levels, and develop talent pools to meet the changing needs of the business landscape.
21. Mentoring colleagues, onboard new starters, create induction and playbooks for the Software Development profession.
22. Work closely with the People team to define jobs descriptions and job families. Recruit, onboard new talent, as well as growing and developing internal talent

Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• 1.Entrepreneurial spirit and instincts. Highly self-motivated; able to operate autonomously
• 2.Desire to stay on the leading edge of digital developments within the business and wider system
• 3.Proactively maintaining an awareness of IT industry trends
• 4.Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional and personal relationships with colleague's key business partners and customers positively impacting strategy and performance insights
• 5.Creating and role modelling a culture of success and on-going inquisitive nature to try
• 6.Developing and managing change across an organisation and or system adhering to standards and processes
• 7.Strong leadership skills and experience working with directors and senior managers with the ability to influence, work collaboratively, and gain consensus across large organisations!!
• 8.Innovation and creativity in the development of digital solutions
• 9.Proven ability to lead, motivate, inspire, engage, and communicate well with people
• 10.Heightened political awareness and experience of operating at a senior level in a politically sensitive environment or organisation
• 11.Commercially and politically astute and able to analyse data to gain insight and drive business performance
• 12.Responsible for the creation and ongoing maintenance of the Digital and Data strategic technology roadmap
• 13.Long term capacity/ resource planning

Desirable

• 1.Service Manual and standards
• 2.CDDO/NHS service assessment process
• 3.Matrix management
• 4.Understanding of the Digital, Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework (DDaT).
• 5.Understanding of the wider healthcare system and environment particularly in relation to technology, digital and data strategies
• 6.Robust understanding of the public sector corporate governance requirements in respect of critical strategic, operational, and organisational initiatives

Experience

Essential

• 1.Working on complex software development projects and products.
• 2.Researching new technologies & techniques to implement change and drive improvements
• 3.Extensive experience in the implementation and adoption of emerging technologies to meet customer needs
• 4.Creating a playbook for development standards which can be supported by operational and support teams and formalised through governance.
• 5.Ability to manage varied and complex relationships to facilitate change and improvement
• 6.Influence technical documentation content, perform documentation review, dive deep into system design and solutions
• 7.Participating and establishing design/code reviews and assurance processes, collaborating between internal teams and partners.
• 8.Significant experience of developing and managing technical strategies
• 9.Strong technical background, including, but not limited to: Java, Node.js, Cloud technologies and tools, systems administration, Information Security, Cloud computing, virtualization, Data ethics, GDPR, Accessibility etc
• 10.Successful negotiation and co-ordination of diverse activities
• 11.Working in a high profile, challenging role with an ability to manage conflicting priorities
• 12.Develop, build and manage relationships to achieve agreed objectives and outcomes
• 13.Experience of managing financial budgets
• 14.Mentoring and coaching and professionally developing people
• 15.Proven technical leadership for DDaT products and services
• 16.Representing Software Engineering as a discipline at Design Authorities

Desirable

• 1.Significant experience of identifying and implementing new and emerging technologies, disrupting the norm

Qualifications

Essential

• 1.Educated to degree level in a relevant field or substantial experience

Desirable

• 1.Master's degree in a relevant field

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).