Lead Software Developer

Are you an experienced software development leader with a passion for delivering business-critical applications? We are seeking a Lead Software Developer to lead and manage a team of developers, driving the design, development, delivery and support of bespoke software solutions that underpin key parliamentary and organisational services.

The Role

As Lead Software Developer, you will lead and mentor a team of software developers, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, secure and effective software solutions. Working within Agile methodologies and utilising Azure DevOps, you will oversee the planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing and deployment of software features and applications.

You will provide technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of projects, working closely with stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into technical solutions that support the work of Assembly Members, Party Support and Assembly Commission staff.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and Manage a Software Development Team

• Coach, develop and manage a team of software developers using Agile processes and reporting.
• Provide expert technical advice and leadership across all aspects of Agile software development.
• Support the Deputy Head of IS Office/Principal Developer in managing, evaluating and prioritising software development requests and delegating work appropriately across the Application Development Team.

Lead Software Development Projects

• Engage with stakeholders throughout project lifecycles to gather and evaluate business requirements, develop specifications, conduct reviews and secure final sign-off.
• Manage delivery against agreed plans and objectives.
• Collaborate with Business Relationship teams to gather customer requirements.
• Translate business requirements into technical specifications, user stories and development tasks.
• Lead the analysis, planning, design, development, testing and documentation of software features and applications using Agile methodologies and Azure DevOps.
• Utilise modelling techniques including conceptual models, Data Flow Diagrams and Object-Oriented Design principles.
• Lead implementation using modern Microsoft technologies.
• Create and manage user acceptance, performance testing, build and release processes using Azure DevOps.
• Ensure quality assurance standards are met through code reviews, adherence to development standards, best practice and version control management.
• Oversee software integration and integration testing.
• Collaborate with Infrastructure and Service Desk teams to ensure secure software provisioning.
• Support resource and capacity planning through project assessments and progress reporting.
• Deliver technical training, advice and support on bespoke applications, third-party solutions and software packages.
• Provide first-line support for bespoke systems, corporate ICT systems and third-party software, with a focus on business-critical procedural systems.
• Undertake technical assurance and project management responsibilities for corporate and directorate software projects.

Database Design

• Oversee the design of database tables and relationships using Entity Relationship models.
• Lead the implementation of database solutions using Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Server Management Studio and SQL coding best practices.

Technical Support, Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage, develop and support cloud-based services including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint Online.
• Act as contract manager for software support contracts with third-party suppliers.
• Research and evaluate emerging software products, producing recommendations and assessment reports.
• Provide consultancy and technical expertise across a broad range of ICT-enabled activities.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Assembly Members, business areas, Northern Ireland Civil Service colleagues, public bodies and other legislatures.
• Support the development and implementation of IT policies, standards, procedures and security measures.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the IS Office to maintain effective ICT services.
• Provide technical guidance and support to Service Desk staff dealing with software-related issues.
• Comply with all Assembly Commission policies, including Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies.
• Undertake any additional duties reasonably required by the Assembly Commission.

Essential Criteria

Applicants must, by the closing date, meet one of the following qualification and experience routes:

Option 1

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Computing, Computing Science, Software Engineering or another Information Systems/Information Technology-related discipline*.

AND

• At least 1 year’s experience leading and managing an application development team.

AND

• At least 2 years’ experience in each of the following:
• Application Development, including Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or later, C#.NET (or equivalent technologies) and ASP.NET programming.
• Agile development using Azure DevOps.
• Database design using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later.

Option 2

• HND or Foundation Degree in Computing or another Information Systems/Information Technology-related discipline*.

AND

• At least 1 year’s experience leading and managing an application development team.

AND

• At least 3 years’ experience in each of the following:
• Application Development, including Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or later, C#.NET (or equivalent technologies) and ASP.NET programming.
• Agile development using Azure DevOps.
• Database design using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later.

*Only courses with a computing content of 50% or more will be considered. Applicants must provide full details within their application demonstrating how their course content meets this requirement.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to lead the development of business-critical systems within a unique and highly visible organisation. You’ll work with modern Microsoft technologies, Azure DevOps and cloud platforms while leading talented developers and delivering solutions that directly support the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

4820462 - Juliann

Are you an experienced software development leader with a passion for delivering business-critical applications? We are seeking a Lead Software Developer to lead and manage a team of developers, driving the design, development, delivery and support of bespoke software solutions that underpin key parliamentary and organisational services., Applicants must, by the closing date, meet one of the following qualification and experience routes:

Option 1

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Computing, Computing Science, Software Engineering or another Information Systems/Information Technology-related discipline*.

AND

• At least 1 year’s experience leading and managing an application development team.

AND

• At least 2 years’ experience in each of the following:
• Application Development, including Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or later, C#.NET (or equivalent technologies) and ASP.NET programming.
• Agile development using Azure DevOps.
• Database design using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later.

Option 2

• HND or Foundation Degree in Computing or another Information Systems/Information Technology-related discipline*.

AND

• At least 1 year’s experience leading and managing an application development team.

AND

• At least 3 years’ experience in each of the following:
• Application Development, including Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or later, C#.NET (or equivalent technologies) and ASP.NET programming.
• Agile development using Azure DevOps.
• Database design using Microsoft SQL Server 2012 or later.

*Only courses with a computing content of 50% or more will be considered. Applicants must provide full details within their application demonstrating how their course content meets this requirement.