Jisc Hiring for Software Team Lead Job at United Kingdom Full Time

We believe in ‘Technology for Good’ – in improving lives through education and research. Our passionate team of people want to make a social impact and challenge conventional thinking as they work on cutting-edge, emerging technologies and solutions – the kind you won’t find anywhere else.

A place of openness and inclusivity, here we don’t just execute – we have the creative freedom and support to ideate, build and see our impact on an entire collective. No pigeonholes or boxes, we believe great ideas come from everywhere and we’re all driven to live up to our leading reputation.

Not only do we have the opportunity to work at the highest level, but on meaningful projects too. That’s why we look for brave risk-takers – those who are always thinking one step ahead to power our organisation forward, and realise our digital vision.

Here, world-class is our ambition and maximising our social impact means everything – because when we prosper, everyone prospers. So if you’re ready to own it and run with it, to learn fast and get it done, to take pride in what you do and never stand still, then this is the place.

About you
We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they think they can’t tick every box. But we realise the ‘perfect candidate’ doesn’t exist. If you’re excited about working for us and can do most of what we are looking for, go ahead and apply. You could be exactly what we need!

We’re ideally looking for someone with:

• A passion for developing expertise in new coding languages and technologies
• Specific expertise in some of the key technologies used at Jisc: JavaScript and React, C#, Scala, Postgres, SQL Server, AWS, Azure, Serverless Framework, Terraform.
• Prior experience of taking the technical lead in the development of a large software application, using a formal agile methodology (e.g. scrum).
• Ability to line manage, mentor and lead teams of developers to achieve common goals
• Ability to engage constructively and negotiate with other project stakeholders, on the product and business side.
• Experience of data collection in a statutory or regulatory context is desirable but not essential.

About the role

Jisc’s Software Development Group is a central resource that works closely with the different product families across Jisc to create digital products that meet their vision and users’ requirements. Focusing on technical innovation and software delivery, we pride ourselves on building the right thing, and building the thing right. We do this using agile methodologies, with continuous testing, architecting, integration, delivery and validated learning.

The postholder will perform a tech lead role and will line manage a small team of Jisc developers. You will lead elements of the design, architecture and development of high-profile programmes and will create and deliver a new software platform. You will work closely with product owners and other stakeholders on the business side.

As a senior member of the Jisc Software Development Group, you will input into wider relevant standards and technical leadership across Jisc, encouraging a modern, agile approach to software, across the entire organisation. You can expect to play a high-profile role in the technical career pathway (internal staff development channel) for software.

Our tech approach

• We mostly use modern JavaScript, including React and Node to deliver fast, scalable and simple solutions quickly to market.
• Architecting cloud native systems on AWS or Azure, typically fully serverless (Lambda, Fargate, Azure Functions) and often event-driven (SNS, SQS, etc).
• Full Infrastructure as Code, using Serverless Framework and Terraform. A new feature branch creates a new environment for testing!
• We focus on value to our customers; picking the right tech for the problem. Recent data solutions have included Postgres, DynamoDB, Elasticsearch, MongoDB, and of course S3.
• Other tech has its strengths and is utilised when appropriate. Python is often used for data science and we use C# or TypeScript when a static typed language is needed.

Why work at Jisc
We want to make sure our people have the flexibility they need to balance their personal lives and do well at work. So, we focus on outputs rather than presenteeism and are open to a whole range of ways of working including flexible hours and working from home.

We are always learning and developing. All our people have access to a huge variety of learning resources to help them achieve this.

Our benefits are great too:

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and 3 additional days Christmas closure) and flexible agile working.
• A range of health & wellbeing benefits, including cash plan, and access to wellbeing support.
• You have the option to join a generous pension scheme.
• We offer a wide range of discounts, a cycle to work scheme, financial wellbeing savings and season ticket loans as well as a range of other benefits.
• We also offer generous parental leave arrangements, career breaks and volunteer leave.

Connecting with each other is a doddle, thanks to our technology, but getting face to face is something we value and find time for when we can, so you may need to travel on occasion. Our main offices are in Bristol, Harwell, London and Manchester.

Other stuff you need to know
At Jisc we celebrate diversity and know that it is critical for our success. We work hard to make sure we’re inclusive. So, if you are great at what you do and share our values, we want to hear from you.

If you need any adjustments made to the application or selection process so you can do your best, let us know. We will be happy to help.

Just so you know, we review CV’s as we receive them, and interview as soon as we have applications that look like a good match (usually within 1 week), We don’t use closing dates. We advertised this role on 9/8/21