Head of Application Development

Job Responsibilities

• Design, implement and mature the application delivery operating model with respect to structures, roles, process and sourcing
• Define the strategy and roadmap for further application development factories whilst managing the continued delivery of more traditional models in parallel
• Works with IT Technology colleagues to develop integrated build and run models which increase efficiency and reduce cost
• Works with IT vendor management to agree the contracting and commercial models to ensure the correct commercial and operational models are in place with partners in support of application and integration change delivery
• Hold accountability for agreeing and managing the execution of the application change roadmap for the applicable technology domain
• Work with the Head of IT Engineering Engagement & the Change Delivery Programme Management Office for supplier resource onboarding
• Manage a team of supplier owned technical portfolios
• Oversee the overall application build plan and manages 3^rd party suppliers on scheduling and prioritisation in support of that plan
• Work with all parties to ensure that the respective application development / system test environments and code migration capabilities are in place to support the build plan
• Work with 3^rd parties and the Solution Design / Architecture colleagues to produce functional and technical specifications for all application development and integration services delivery work
• Manage technical scope through project change requests for all active delivery projects and programmes
• Manage the transfer of development work from build to formal testing including the production of exit reports to begin UAT
• Work closely with all development partners on defect resolution during development, testing and any intensive care / “warranty” period
• Work with the IT risk function to ensure risks are defined, managed and governed in line with company methodology and processes
• Work with the Head of Test & Environment Management to define strategies, roadmaps, methods and tooling
• Work with IT Vendor Management function to agree the contracting and commercial models with strategic partners including the measures and performance tracking
• Provide support to the Technical project management competency as part of the wider Project Management competency

Experience Required

• Previously worked in a similar Managerial position, within a complex business environment, leading and influencing substantial numbers of non-direct reports and multiple 3^rd party suppliers
• Technical experience within the SDLC including (on-premise and cloud) including; management of development teams, development tools (packages and SaaS), code management and environment services
• Strong knowledge of IT Industry practices, such as Programme / Project Management, Systems Development Lifecycle and Service provision
• Practical experience of a number of delivery models including Agile and DevOps

Essential and Desirable Skills

• People Management – leadership and management skills, influencing and relationship building
• Stakeholder Management – effective management of internal and external stakeholder interests across a complex organisational structure
• Supplier Management – integration of suppliers in the delivery of integrated test solutions
• Risk management – understanding of the delivery risks faced by IT delivery and the controls in place to manage and mitigate these risks

Educational Requirements

• Relevant Third Level Degree or similar Qualification, or equivalent working experience