Software Development Manager

We are recruiting for a Software Development Manager.

POSITION INFO :

Key Performance Areas :

• Accountable for the development and implementation of a Technical Implementation strategy and tactical plans aligned with the corporate strategy and goals.
• Lead the development, planning and implementation of a functional Technology Development Strategy aligned to the Technology strategy and Roadmap.
• Outline Development projects identified, budgets, and plans according to market, industry, and business trends.
• Deliver a roadmap aligned with set budgets, resourcing requirements, market, industry, and business trends.
• Examine market trends and leading market best practices in automation and digitisation and to drive ICT transformation.
• Submit forward-looking solutions to unmet and unrealised business needs, positioning SBV as innovative and a trailblazer in the industry.
• Understand and review business processes to improve core development activities, from design to release.
• Deliver innovation with new ideas and technology, keeping up with the latest methodologies for software development and looking into software that is AI and machine learning enabled to improve the quality of coding and reduce testing and debugging times.

Planning & Organisation

• Plan and manage all services and functionality related to systems development in the context of projects and operations.
• Monitor ongoing Technology Development strategies to ensure SBV delivers quality and excellence through robust testing and balanced policies appropriate to the project scope.
• Develop processes, team structures, and capabilities for technology implementation, such as managing change, agile software development, and rapid deployment.

Execute Analysis and Design Activities

• Analyse existing and historical systems, identify gaps, and propose changes to adapt to the new design, considering database structures, code structures, and code repositories.
• Support project teams with technical documentation and plans, including detailed work breakdown structures.
• In accordance with the SBV Technology Development strategy, review proposed software improvements and upgrades.
• Effectively manage project timelines, including the scope and budget constraints, and perform forecasting where necessary.
• Establish, manage, and define development standards for robust, flexible, and stable solutions.
• Work with cross-functional resources to develop and approve high-level delivery plans based on objectives for various software development projects.

Technical implementation within own area

• Develop database schemas with integrity and scalability and optimise the performance and security of data access layers.
• Accountable for the design, development, release management and improvement of SBV's technology products.
• Enable and support improvement and development projects.
• Support technology and methodology decisions throughout the team, including reusable code base development, versions of software tools, best practices, source control, and deployment.
• Develop future-proof, reusable, shared core code libraries that can be applied to artificial intelligence and machine learning and drive further efficiency throughout the team.
• Establish a tactical plan that the team can follow collaboratively and improve products, processes, and knowledge sharing in SBV.
• Designing prototypes and presenting them for approval to the business.
• Establish and implement custom code base platform definitions and implementations using the software development life cycle (SDLC).
• Strategically decide whether SBV can inherit or support existing or legacy code bases and how SBV will manage the increasing demand for software support.
• Manage the release of software upgrades, enhancements, and fixes on a targeted schedule for SBV's clients.
• Provide support and assistance to the team so that projects, enhancements, and support are executed smoothly.
• Design, evaluate, and monitor the deployment of all technical, web, and mobile services according to approved strategic plans and timelines.
• Develop, maintain, and update documents such as program specifications, impact analyses, functional designs, technical specifications, system specifications, and entity relationship models.

Quality Management

• Manage the implementation and compliance with the relevant methodology based on company strategy and best practices.
• Managing and resolving critical support issues as quickly as possible by putting in place the correct process and escalation.
• Conduct independent code reviews of all development work and report on the results.
• Responsible for presenting designs and prototypes for business approval.
• Approve functional and technical specifications and test cases based on sound governance principles and SBV strategic objectives.
• Responsible for maintaining the quality and uptime of the production systems.
• Manage the quality and technical approach taken by team members, ensuring that code is developed in accordance with quality and coding conventions and assures on-time and on-budget delivery of projects.
• Define quality criteria and testing methodologies / approaches based on best practices for all software and applications and look at ways to introduce or improve the use of artificial intelligence in developing test scenarios so that bugs can be detected, and data can be generated for functional and exploratory testing.
• Maintain the integrity and structure of the code, and drive efficiencies by adopting automated testing approaches based on AI models.
• Manage and coordinate the application of software security principles during the development, integration and testing of a program or project.
• Keep up to date with the latest data protection and security threats within one's area of expertise, working with the Head of Information Security to safeguard SBV systems and applications.
• Analyse the risks and threats associated with applications and systems and determine the appropriate action to control and / or minimise those risks or threats.
• Maintain clean audit results by conducting monthly self-assessments based on defined internal controls, anticipating and documenting risks, and reporting on gaps and mitigation activities.
• Maintain compliance with POPI Act requirements and data management privacy regulations. Establish a common understanding of the interventions to resolve audit issues by presenting at different customer forums how the application performs.

Reporting

• Submit weekly and monthly management and status report on the application's performance in accordance with selected Business Unit metrics and requirements.
• Develop business cases that outline alternative solutions to existing applications and assist the business in making the right choice.
• Facilitate communication across business units, identify change management interventions and timelines from the project's perspective, and present the project status to the steering committee.
• Manage the relationship between SBV and vendors to ensure service expectations are met or exceeded.
• Manage the integration of vendor deliverables by tracking and reviewing vendor performance.
• Implement good governance by confirming that SLAs with clients and service providers are in place, including contracts for information technology resources, i.e., hardware, software, human resources etc.
• Where necessary, source an appropriate vendor after conceptual design.

Stakeholder and Customer Engagement

• Provide technical guidance and support to Project and Programme Managers to ensure smooth interfacing between vendors, internal designers, and business units.
• Address all system challenges escalations from the Service Delivery team to the vendor and ensure that they are resolved or that enhancements align with business requirements.
• Enhance stakeholder engagement to address issues, improve relations, and provide information on the project status.

Finance

• Accountable for the preparation of the operating and capital expenditure budgets.
• Participate in all technical quotes, analyses, and specifications for accuracy and risk management.
• Manage the budget in accordance with the financial parameters and standards of the projects / programmes.

Leadership and People Management

• Manage the effective use of the department's resources to improve organisational productivity and delivery.
• Provide Subject Matter Expertise in critical support issues where your experience is required to ascertain the issue quickly and to find the more appropriate resolution.
• On a monthly basis, manage the headcount in accordance with SBV principles and policies, including notifying of team cancellations, new business and new initiatives.
• Manage recruitment, performance management, training, career development programs, succession planning, resource planning, and HR processes across the team.
• Lead and manage employees' end-to-end performance management process, inspire and encourage your team to deliver on key performance areas, and provide the necessary support, coaching, and training.
• Manage and lead the Talent Management Process within one's area of responsibility to create value for high-value contributors.
• Comply with SBV Human Resources / Employee Relations policies and procedures and applicable Labour Laws.
• Drive employee training and development, ensuring employees are provided with refresher courses in conjunction with the Training Academy.
• Draw up and conduct disciplinary hearings in accordance with labour law, statutory requirements and SBV ER policies and procedures.
• Lead as an Ambassador and Executor of Change.
• Provide continuity during times of change by serving as a change management.
• Manage the integration of development into a seamless end-to-end customer experience.
• Communicate and embed new processes and procedures effectively, addressing or escalating concerns to SMEs.
• Communicate consistently and accurately across one's area by facilitating presentations, workshops, or forums.

Drive the organisation culture

• Inspire confidence and generate excitement, enthusiasm, and commitment to the department's values.
• Support transformation and BBB-EE initiatives for sustainable alignment with the company's scorecard.

Lead employees to the creation of a winning culture and a high morale environment in the organisation.

Minimum Requirements :

• 8 years' experience in software development, which includes

o 5 years of senior management experience

o 3 years managing projects in a technology environment

• Significant experience in the design of bespoke software solutions at both architectural and implementation

Minimum Requirements : Education

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related discipline required.
• Certification in relevant Enterprise Architecture or Technology frameworks and methodologies (Advantageous).
• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of advanced ICT project management principles (e.g., Agile, Waterfall).
• Understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• A strong technical background in applications, processes, software and equipment or technical management experience.