Deputy Director of Software Development

JOB TITLE: Deputy Director of Software Development - HYBRID

Jisc Grade: TSO4

Salary: £80,000 - £85,000 per annum negotiable depending on experience

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Reports into: Director of Software

Location: Hybrid - A blend of working from home and your nominated hub office, we have hubs in London, Bristol, Manchester and Oxford.

Shape the Future of Student Data Collection for Jisc!

We’re looking for an exceptional leader to join us as Deputy Director of Software Development, overseeing a large and talented department responsible for delivering a major transformation programme for Student Data collection within the UK.

This is a rare opportunity to lead on this major transformation programme that will directly influence national policy decisions for years to come. You’ll be at the helm of a complex, multi-team environment, driving the development of a unified product that underpins how data is collected, processed, and used across the higher education sector.

About Jisc:

Our vision is to lead the UK tertiary education, research and innovation sectors to be pioneers in the use of digital technology and data. We’re on a mission to harness the power of technology and data, to transform how knowledge is shared, applied and enhanced.

About the role:

As Deputy Director of Software Development, you will play a pivotal leadership role within the Software Development Group (SDG), with direct oversight of SDG-Collections—a department of approximately 70 staff responsible for delivering systems that support HESA data collections. You will provide strategic direction and operational leadership, guiding the department through a period of significant business transformation while ensuring the continued, high-quality delivery of services throughout the data collection cycle.

Responsibilities will include:

• Leadership of SDG-Collections: High-level strategic leadership for a large-scale technical function, ensuring its ability to meet evolving business objectives. This position is focused on oversight and direction rather than hands-on technical execution.
• Technical Leadership: Strategic technical leadership across a wide spectrum of domains, including software architecture, development methodologies, testing frameworks, vendor and licensing management, performance metrics, and other critical technical areas.
• SDG Leadership: Active member of the Software Development Group (SDG) leadership team, spanning software development, UX, scrum mastering, testing, and more. Contribution to the leadership and management of the wider function, and supporting the deliverables of peers.
• Staff management: Effective leadership and management of personnel, including oversight of senior managers, while cultivating a culture of excellence and high performance throughout the organization.
• Aligning development and product strategy: Develop and execute a long-term strategy for software development, aligned with overarching product objectives. Effectively influencing the product strategy to ensure to ensure technical efficiency and deliverability.
• Stakeholder Management: Management of both internal and external stakeholders, including product teams and external official bodies.
• Cost management: Management of a large cost base, comprising both staff, infrastructure, and 3rd party suppliers. Ensure costs are controlled, and value for money is delivered.

Key Skills and Experience:

Technical & Delivery Expertise

• Extensive experience in software development, with a strong track record of delivering high-quality solutions.
• Proven ability to lead agile software delivery, with deep understanding of agile principles and methodologies.
• Demonstrated success in architecting large-scale systems across multiple development teams.
• Experience delivering greenfield projects from inception to deployment.
• Strong background in managing and maintaining live software services in production environments.

Leadership & People Management

• Skilled in managing and developing line managers, fostering high-performing teams.
• Effective at delivering through others by delegating responsibilities in a supportive and empowering environment.
• Experienced in coaching team members to succeed, while recognising when alternative leadership approaches are needed.
• Confident in making and owning difficult decisions, even under pressure.
• Able to navigate challenging conversations with tact and professionalism, while constructively challenging others when necessary.

Communication & Organisational Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Solid project management capabilities, including setting long-term goals, tracking progress, and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise effectively in fast-paced environments.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they think they can’t tick every box, so we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the requirements, but you feel this role is perfect for you. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!

Why work for us?

At Jisc, every role is vital, and every person matters. We want you to feel like you’re part of something bigger. We support learning throughout your career and offer chances to grow, develop new skills, and make a real difference in education and research.

We believe that balancing your personal and professional life is key to happiness and fulfilment. We embrace flexible working, focusing on results rather than hours spent at a desk. It's not about where you work, but how you create a flow that energizes both your work and home life.

Take a look at our fantastic benefits! We offer:

• Flexible work pattern, which can adapt to suit your schedules and personal commitments
• 31 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) that includes three closure days over Christmas plus the opportunity to buy up to an additional 5 days leave during the flexible benefits window
• Generous flexible pension schemes
• A comprehensive 24/7 mental health support package, including coaching and appropriate counselling or specialist therapy, with no predetermined limit on the number of sessions you can access
• Annual Jisc performance award
• A range of wellbeing lifestyle benefits including company paid health care cash plan, mental health first aiders and support
• A company culture of continuous learning with access to thousands of LinkedIn Learning courses, and lots of resources and opportunities to support your development
• Allocated allowance of up to £250 to equip your home office
• Financial well-being support including access to preferential loan and savings plans, mortgage advice, will writing tools and support and resources to help you make the most of your money
• The opportunity to donate to charity tax-free with our Payroll Giving benefit
• Salary sacrifice - Electric Car Lease Scheme, Cycle to work and SmartTech (buy the latest technology and white goods products, spreading the cost over up to twelve months, direct from your salary and interest-free) subject to terms and conditions and available upon request
• A wide range of discounts and cashback from retailers and big-name high-street stores
• Family friendly policies including enhanced parental, maternity and paternity and co-parental leave as well as opportunity for career breaks
• Support your volunteering with up to 3 days volunteer leave
• Life assurance cover

Equity, diversity and inclusion:

Jisc believe our people make all the difference in cultivating an inclusive culture that welcomes ideas, encourages innovation, and values belonging. We work hard to create an equitable experience for our candidates and workforce which embraces all aspects of their identity including race and ethnicity, religion and belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, trans identities, age, class, disability, neurodivergence, or veteran status.

Application process:

Please let us know how we can best accommodate you throughout the recruitment process. We’re committed to making our process accessible and comfortable for everyone - just tell us what works best for you.

We’re really looking forward to getting to know the real you. While we encourage the use of AI tools to help you get started on your CV or cover letter, we encourage you to review your application before submitting. Make sure it truly reflects your own voice, experiences, and personality.

If you are currently a Jisc employee, please apply through your Dayforce Employee profile.

We have a thorough background screening process that verifies the details you share with us in your CV and your application. Any inaccurate information supplied during the application stages can lead to a job offer being withdrawn.

Sponsorship:

Jisc has an active sponsor licence to recruit on a Skilled worker visa basis. Candidates wishing to apply who require sponsorship should determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role by assessing their circumstances against the relevant Home Office criteria. Jisc does not offer any financial re-imbursement towards the applicant costs, such as re-location, skilled worker visa and dependant costs or the immigration health charge.