Scrum Master, Hands Off Head of Development (PHP), 5 Direct Reports

My client are a leading supplier of leisure management software solutions within the UK and experiencing continuous expansion using its partner network and direct channels to fuel their growth.

THE POSITION

A certified Scrum Master and Head of Development is required to manage a highly talented development department with 5 direct reports, in an agile environment providing software solutions to the UK Health & Leisure market.

You will be focused on people management, process & productivity improvement, resource planning and development tool selection.

A previous technical background is required (PHP, MySQL, Web applications) but ultimately this candidate will have a passion for people management and the management of excellent development practices and processes.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the General Manager, the Head of Development will be based in Bath and responsible for:

– Managing all development activity for the company.
– Responsibility for technical development and project delivery in a multi-site environment with the ability to think strategically and to manage operationally across different time zones and geographies.
– Ensure development is in line with market requirements, bringing a strong commercial focus to the role, including resource management and monitoring of competitive activities.
– Working as a strategic member of the senior management team.
– Setting objectives, performance appraisals and career development of direct reports and the broader development department.
– Ensure the department is adequately staffed for current and future growth needs.
– Ensuring good release & configuration management processes are in place.
– Recruitment of new team members.
– Hands on coding as and when required (dependant on need and desire).

Team Responsibilites

– Bring innovation and creativity to the team, challenging existing process/protocol and technology.
– Run monthly meetings with direct reports to swap ideas, exchange best practice and plan for future initiatives and improvements.
– Conduct annual appraisals
– Ensure appropriate levels of suitably qualified staff are available for the development team to deliver against their planned goals.
– Manage code and coding standards, unit tests, build & deployment procedures with a goal of making recommendations for improvements.
– Constantly review development practices and make recommendations for improvement and increased productivity.
– Review software development tools and make recommendations for adoption including any ROI calculations.
– Devise, document and implement departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) e.g. coding standards.
– Line management of all on- and off-shore developers (4 permanent developers – 5 direct reports).
– Ensure individuals have Monthly Activity Plans (MAPS) and a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plan in place.
– Hold regular 1:1 progress meetings with direct reports.

Customer Responsibilties

– Establish and maintain strong relationships with key customers.
– Ensures that the company’s reputation and relationship with customers, service providers and partners is healthy, improving and a prime focus internally.
– Assist where necessary to support pre sales activity in major account acquisition and account management.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Essential

– 2+ years managing and/or team leading a software team and a certified SCRUM MASTER, ideally in a software house or ISV environment.
– A motivator with a record of developing individuals.
– Excellent, effective and clear written and oral communication skills.
– Background in Software Development, PHP, MySQL, SQL.
– Experience and deep understanding of working in an Agile delivery team (preferably Scrum).
– Good knowledge of software development best practice.
– Quality-focused and customer-focused with ability to prioritise and good attention to detail.

This is a great opportunity for an enthusastic, motivated individual to take responsibility and play a central role in directing this successful operation in their ongoing expansion.

As a division of a global parent group, you have strong support from the group and excellent future prospects across a wide horizon.