Head of Software Engineering

Head of Software Engineering:Job Overview:The Head of Software Engineering will lead all aspects ofsoftware engineering and quality assurance (QA). As infrastructure,cybersecurity, and data analytics shift into the Group, this role becomes thetechnical delivery owner for the company's product platforms and internalsystems. The successful candidate will drive modernisation of legacy systems,support Agile practices, mentor cross -functional development teams, and workclosely with business and product stakeholders to align technology deliverywith organisational goals. Job Title:As Head of Software Engineering, you will lead theevolution of the Groups technology landscape during a pivotal time oftransformation. With group functions supporting infrastructure andcybersecurity, you will have the space and support to focus on engineeringexcellence, platform resilience, and delivery performance across a diverse techstack. This is a technical leadership role with real impact on product outcomesand client experience. Role Responsibilities:Development & QA Leadership:· Lead, structure, and coach multi -disciplinary development teams (NaturalAdabas, C#, Java, Flutter, Delphi).· Manage and grow the internal QA capability (manual and automated).· Implement and enforce modern SDLC processes, including CI/CD, testingframeworks, and DevOps alignment. Platform Modernisation· Ownthe modernisation roadmap of legacy systems, including Natural/Adabas, Delphi,and Sybase.· Drive the adoption of PostgreSQL, .NET Core, Flutter, and Azure -nativeservices.· Oversee catch -up modernisation of PeopleWare to align desktop and web platforms Delivery Governance:· Partner with product managers, scrum masters, and BAs to ensure Agile deliverywithin sprint cycles.· Planand track delivery against resource plans, ensuring on -time, high -qualityoutcomes.· Participate in architecture reviews, ensure proper documentation, and enforceversion control standards. Strategic Support:· Workwith the CIO on annual budgeting, capacity planning, and vendor assessments. · Align development effortsto business strategies (e.g., PeopleWare turnaround, TRX platform upgrades).· Align the technology platform with the strategic objectives· Report on team performance, risk, dependencies, and roadmap progression.Compliance & Security Support:· Ensure secure coding practices and QA processes are aligned with audit findingsand ISO goals.· Collaborate with group security, infrastructure, and audit teams on issues likeaccess management and patching. Technology Environment:· Languages/Frameworks: Natural/Adabas, Delphi, C#, Java, Dart (Flutter)· Databases: Sybase, MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL· Tools: GitHub, SonarQube, Azure DevOps, ComponentOne, Telerik· Hosting: On -prem, Citrix Cloud, Azure, AWS (via Group IT) Qualifications and Requirements: Qualifications:· Tertiary qualification in Computer Science, Information Systems, or relatedfield.Bonus/Preferred· Certifications in Cloud Architecture (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect, AWSArchitect).· Architecture frameworks like TOGAF or certifications in secure SDLC.· Prior experience in financial services, especially payments, collections, oronboarding systems.· Knowledge of COBIT 2019, ISO 27001, or NIST frameworks. Desired skills and experience:· 6+years in software development with experience leading teams or developmentstreams.· Demonstrated success in modernising legacy systems and improving platformstability.· Experience delivering under Agile SCRUM, with Jira or Azure Boards.· Strong QA integration background (manual and automation testing strategies). Team Structure, Products, and Environment Overview: The Head of SoftwareEngineering will lead a blended team of approximately 35 staff and contractors,comprising developers across Natural/Adabas, C#/.NET, Delphi, Java, andFlutter, alongside a growing QA team responsible for both manual and automationtesting. Scrum Masters and Product Managers support delivery, with the rolereporting directly to the CIO.This role manages:· Development streams across platforms (Natural, .NET, Java, Flutter, Delphi).· QAteam (automation and manual).· Reports to CIO and works alongside Scrum Masters, Product Managers, and Supportleads· Youwill be accountable for the stability, scalability, and evolution of severalmission critical platforms:· Natural/Adabas Core Platform – legacy high -volume EFT and DebiCheck engine,integrated with RM payments and mandate orchestration.· Alchemy (C#/.NET) – AVS and DebiCheck mandate management platform with externalbank integrations.· OPSand APS (Delphi/Java) – client onboarding and transaction processing portals.· PeopleWare – an internal HR, payroll, and compliance system undermodernisation, with active plans to align the legacy desktop platform to aweb -based architecture.· File -based integrations – including SFU, SFTP, and email -driven workflows withlimited validation layers, requiring uplift and replacement with API -basedsolutions.· Therole collaborates closely with Product Management, QA, Business Analysts, andgroup -aligned teams in Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, and Data & Reporting.Delivery spans on -prem systems and cloud integrations, with multiple customcodebases and overlapping logic paths. Development maturity is uneven acrossplatforms, with known gaps in SDLC governance, deployment control, auditreadiness, and test coverage. Key challenges and opportunities include:· Establishing consistent Agile delivery and QA practices.· Closing material audit findings (ITGC, SDLC, access control).· Leading modernisation of Natural.· Uplifting PeopleWare to support compliance and onboarding workflows across weband desktop layers.· Introducing CI/CD, standardised release governance, and traceable deploymentpipelines.· Success in the first 6 months will involve stabilising delivery cadence,uplifting engineering discipline, closing priority audit items, and deliveringMVPs for strategic initiatives. Tooling includes Azure DevOps, GitHub,SonarQube and Jira, with support from the enterprise infrastructure team andgroup technology leadership.· Thisis a high -impact leadership role requiring technical depth, architecturalunderstanding, and the ability to lead through complexity while drivingplatform evolution and business alignment. Role Responsibilities:· Advanced reconciliation and analytical review of data· Complex Problem solving and troubleshooting.· Solution design and implementation monitoring· Releasing payments (Banking Platforms)· Advanced financial calculations (Float management)· System Testing – thorough testing of all system functionality· Detailed management reports across all areas of the department· SLAManagement and Oversight· System configuration (backend systems) for new take -ons· Manage all banking take -ons and documentation (including transactional limits –monitoring & Reporting)· Managing and updating knowledge base (internal) Personality Attributes:· Exceptional written and verbal communication skills· Sound communication skills· Critical thinking skills· Negotiation skills· Confidentiality· Ableto work independently and in a team· Ableto cope under pressure to perform multiple tasks· Should exhibit excellent time management and organisational skills to completethe assigned work effectively· Should have good logical problem -solving ability and should be able tocomprehend the given information· Understands the Group's business ethics and values RequirementsClient provides Transactional banking services to it'scustomers – Debicheck, payments etc. The systems were mostly developed in ancient tech – NaturalAdabas and Delphi and Sybase SQLThere are efforts to renew the tech landscape and newprojects are being done in C#, REACT, PostgreSQL, MS SQL Server etc.They are adopting cloud and are on both AWS and AzureThey have immature SDLC and need to get more on board withagile, DevOps, CI/CD etc.They have a testing / QA team.They have a BI/Data team and that team is starting to adoptsome pretty modern Microsoft data tech – Azure Fabric (SQL Server Synapse,PowerBI, AI/ML etc.)The team has a relatively flat structure but there are leadsthat will be the direct reports to the new manager.Total team size including perm, direct and indirectcontractors +/ - 30 peopleThere is a lack of overall enterprise architecture, no suchrole exits, so the new mini CIO needs to have that capabilityThere are strong personalities in the team and some areolder, so a mature person, experienced in mid -size team leadership is needed