Interim Software Development Manager

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Interim Software Development Manager to lead our Software Development function in a 12-month fixed term contract. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the successful delivery, support and continuous improvement of secure, resilient and high-quality software solutions that underpin critical business services.

Leading teams across a diverse technology landscape including RPG, Visualfiles, .NET and Java, you will provide technical leadership, operational oversight and people management while working closely with our Architecture, Security, Solution Delivery and Governance teams.

You will be responsible for driving engineering excellence, embedding effective development practices and ensuring delivery remains aligned with business priorities. Alongside supporting day-to-day development and application support activities, you will play a vital role in modernising approaches, improving delivery processes and strengthening the overall capability of the function.

As an interim leader, you will quickly assess the current environment, identify opportunities for improvement and implement practical solutions that deliver lasting value. By the end of the assignment, you will leave behind clear processes, documented ways of working and a roadmap for future success.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing Software Development Team Leaders across multiple technology stacks.
• Driving a high-performing, collaborative and customer-focused engineering culture.
• Overseeing end-to-end software delivery across a broad application portfolio.
• Championing Agile delivery practices, Azure DevOps governance and CI/CD maturity.
• Managing application support, incident triage and continuous service improvement.
• Collaborating with Architecture, Security, Solution Delivery and Governance teams to ensure solutions are secure, compliant and aligned with strategic objectives.
• Supporting application stability, resilience and operational performance.
• Managing third-party suppliers, technical dependencies and delivery risks.
• Identifying opportunities to modernise legacy platforms and improve engineering capability.

You will be an experienced software development leader who can quickly establish credibility, provide direction and drive meaningful improvements within a complex technology environment.

You will have a strong technical background and be comfortable engaging in discussions around software engineering, architecture, security and application support. You will combine strategic thinking with a pragmatic, hands-on approach and be confident leading multiple teams through change and improvement initiatives.

You will also bring:

• Proven experience in a Software Development Manager, Head of Development or similar leadership role.
• Experience leading multiple development teams across a range of technology platforms and software stacks.
• Strong understanding of Agile delivery methodologies, DevOps principles and modern software engineering practices.
• Experience overseeing Azure DevOps, including Boards, Repositories and Pipelines.
• A track record of improving delivery performance, operational resilience and engineering standards.
• Experience managing application support functions, incident resolution and continual service improvement.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience working alongside Architecture, Security, Governance and Delivery functions within a structured technology environment.
• Excellent communication, leadership and people development skills.
• The ability to quickly assess challenges, establish priorities and deliver results within an interim assignment.

ARAG UK has been helping businesses and individuals gain access to justice for over 40 years. It’s our founding principle to enable everybody, not just those who can afford it, to assert their legal rights.

Thousands of businesses and individuals defend or pursue legal action each year safe in the knowledge that ARAG are paying their legal bills. Our businesses include a legal expenses insurance company and a law firm with many opportunities in both areas.

We have always been aware that it’s the people that really make it happen; the quality of our people defines the quality of the company, the service we offer and the good outcomes for our customers, so we’re committed to creating a great place to work for our employees.

We believe it is an exciting time to join ARAG. You can expect an organisation that will challenge and develop you to progress your career.

By giving you every opportunity to develop yourself professionally and personally, we also pride ourselves on having an open, inclusive and high energy culture that encourages a fun working environment and places our customers at the very heart of everything we do.

If you are keen to become part of our exciting future then we would love to hear from you. In addition to the very genuine development opportunities we provide we also offer a generous reward and benefits package.