Head of European Software Engineering Capability

Version 1 has celebrated over 26 years in Technology Services and continues to be trusted by global brands to deliver solutions that drive customer success. Version 1 has several strategic technology partners including Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, Red Hat, OutSystems and Snowflake. We’re also an award-winning employer reflecting how employees are at the heart of Version 1.

We’ve been awarded: Innovation Partner of the Year Winner 2023 Oracle EMEA Partner Awards, Global Microsoft Modernising Applications Partner of the Year Award 2023, AWS Collaboration Partner of the Year - EMEA 2023 and Best Workplaces for Women by Great Place To Work in UK and Ireland 2023.

As a consultancy and service provider, Version 1 is a digital-first environment, and we do things differently. We’re focused on our core values; using these we’ve seen significant growth across our practices and our Digital, Data and Cloud team is preparing for the next phase of expansion. This creates new opportunities for driven and skilled individuals to join one of the fastest-growing consultancies globally.

We are seeking an experienced and visionary individual as our Head of Software Engineering Capability. You’ll lead across our software engineering capabilities (Java & Open Source, AI, MS Development), driving innovation, efficiency, and excellence in software development practices.

In this role you’ll be a pragmatist, ready to get hands-on where necessary, to identify and understand deep technical problems when they emerge, and to coach teams to ensure consistently high-quality delivery. You’ll need to be able to translate technical or process challenges such that non-technical stakeholders can follow and understand.

You will be of growth mindset, focused on development of both Version 1’s Software Engineering market presence, revenue, and Software Engineering staff, including Associates. This role will be a strong mix of delivery, business development, staff engagement, delivery assurance and advisory of strategic direction.

You will understand and appreciate our Strength in Balance model, which promotes Customer Success (excellent customer experience, proactive engagement), Strong Organisation (prudent P&L management), and Empowered People (developing people). Our Core Values are incredibly important to us, guiding everything we do, and will resonate with you personally.

Role & Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Director of Engineering filling a role of Senior Leader in Version 1’s Digital, Data and Cloud Practice.
• Scale and Growth: Drive the scaling of the engineering function in line with business expansion, ensuring that the team is well-prepared to meet the demands of a growing organisation.
• Commercial focus: Contributing to Sales and Pre-sales activities including proposals, Terms of Reference documents, customer presentations, demonstrations, and proof of concepts.
• Technical Leadership: Provide technical vision and leadership for software engineering across multiple locations, ensuring alignment with Version 1 and our customers strategies.
• Collaboration: Working collaboratively with other DDC Heads of Capability, Technology Principals, Sector Heads, Delivery Managers and Portfolio Directors to ensure joined up approach and contribute to high customer satisfaction scores.
• Budget and Staff Management: Responsible for managing the budget and staffing effectively, ensuring optimal chargeability and demand management across capabilities.
• People development: Develop and recruit a top tier engineering team, fostering trust, building collaboration, and nurturing a culture of innovation.
• Technology Strategy and standards: Define and execute the technology strategy, working closely with Delivery and Technology Sector Leads, and Capability Leads for MS .NET and Java and Open-Source technologies.
• Quality: Accountability for technical standards and best practices in solution design & project delivery across Software Engineering.
• Innovation: Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies, and champion their adoption when relevant to the company's goals.
• Compliance and Security: Ensure adherence to industry standards, security protocols, and regulatory requirements.

Essential Criteria

• Proven engineering ‘at scale’ experience, having managed large, distributed engineering teams previously.
• 10+ years hands-on software engineering
  • Good understanding of C#/.NET, Java and Python
  • Good understanding of JavaScript-based frameworks (React, Angular, NodeJS, Flutter)
  • RDBMS & NoSQL database solution experience
  • Azure / AWS cloud platform experience
• Experience with end-to-end Solution Architecture, including non-functional requirements.
• Experience of developing and implementing mature software development lifecycle management approaches across different geographies.
• Deep understanding of how to deliver high quality, reliable, scalable, secure, and observable software solutions, encompassing Agile methodologies, proven design patterns, DevOps tooling and continuous delivery, Test automation and Monitoring.
• Good commercial awareness including accurately estimating work.
• People management experience including mentoring staff, coordinating training, and managing team performance.
• Willingness to travel to Ireland/UK/US/India/Spain to meet with customers and colleagues.
• Excellent verbal and written English, with good presentation skills.

Travel will be required.

At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their well-being, professional growth, and financial stability.

One of our standout advantages is the ability to work with a hybrid schedule along with business travel, allowing our employees to strike a balance between work and life. We also offer a range of tech-related benefits, including an innovative Tech Scheme to help keep our team members up-to-date with the latest technology.

We prioritise the health and safety of our employees, providing private medical and life insurance coverage, as well as free eye tests and contributions towards glasses. Our team members can also stay ahead of the curve with incentivized certifications and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat.

Our employee-designed Profit Share scheme divides a portion of our company's profits each quarter amongst employees. We are dedicated to helping our employees reach their full potential, offering Pathways Career Development Quarterly, a programme designed to support professional growth.

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