Head of Software Development

**MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB**

To drive the strategic direction for OneCart software technologies and take accountability for delivering projects on time, on budget and in line with the business requirements. This could include creating, supporting and customising solutions for the business and managing a development team, both internally and outsourced.

**Development and execution of the company software technology strategy**
- Develop software technology strategy and business plans in line with the OneCart strategy and manage the implementation thereof.
- Develop and drive the software technology strategy to ensure the business is sustainable and has a competitive advantage.
- Identify opportunities for new software offerings and services.
- Ensure a thorough understanding of business needs through regular interaction with relevant stakeholders.

**Delivery of Quality Software solutions and SLAs**
- Engage with various stakeholders and manage all processes within the software development life-cycle.
- Provide team and outsourced partners with technical leadership and support around the design, implementation and maintenance of software tools, electronic files, equipment, project plans and reports
- Understand the functional and technical needs of the business and research solutions to meet those needs
- Maintain open communication with stakeholders and ensure content meets requirements.
- Coordinate and interface with functional design, quality assurance, developers, other product teams and senior management to ensure needs are met and managed.
- Manage to ensure delivery of technical designs, unit test plans and high-quality code and software product.
- SLA Management:

- Ensure system uptime
- Monitor business support cases.
- Assist and provide support to resolve problems.
- Deploy proper protocols and escalation for problem solutions.
- Negotiate, monitor and manage service partner adherence to Service Level Agreements.

**Software Development and Problem-solving**
- To keep up to date with the latest development technologies and methodologies.
- To drive consistent standards and approaches throughout the team.
- To write clean and healthy structured, well-documented code.
- To build future-proof reusable core code libraries, which can be shared, to drive further efficiencies throughout the team.
- To deliver code that is well-tested and consistently error-free.
- To design and build database schemas with integrity and scalability with data access layers that is optimised for performance and security.
- To use experience when reviewing and auditing legacy code.
- To assist in critical support issues where your expertise is required to ascertain the problem quickly and to find the more appropriate resolution.
- To take control over critical support instances and put in place the correct escalation and processes to manage and resolve issues.

**Leadership and Team Management**
- Facilitate the creation of accountable, full-service teams who understand and strive to meet the needs of all stakeholders
- Role model behaviour and motivate team members in line with the OneCart values
- Take full responsibility for the performance of all direct reports, motivating and managing them about quality standards and agreed on benchmarks and objectives,
- Focusing on all aspects of sound people management practices in relation to:

- Recruitment
- Development
- Remuneration and Reward
- Performance Facilitation
- Career path planning
- On-the-job training, coaching and mentoring.

**Effective teamwork and Self -Management**
- Maintain a positive attitude.
- Take ownership of driving your career development (skills and knowledge).
- Plan and priorities, demonstrating abilities to manage competing demands to achieve agreed deliverables.
- Communicate effectively, maintain relationships
- Follow any lawful and reasonable instruction from your line manager.
- Act as part of the Development team by assisting other members of the team to achieve common goals.
- Consistently live and be an example of the Company’s values.
- Timely reporting of all instances of suspected or proven fraud via the appropriate reporting channel.
- Adherence to the company policies and associated company policies and procedures.

**Minimum Qualification**

Relevant degree in BSC or BComm information systems

**Experience**

5-8 years’ experience in programming, project management and software development and deployment.

Proven track record of leading a software development team (internal and outsourced resources)