Head of Product Development

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory. We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face.

The role leads and manages the Product Development team within the wider IT Team. The IT teams operating model is based on cross functional teams [Squads]. These are autonomous teams that are focused on the delivery of specific products / solutions efficiently and effectively through collaboration and self-organisation.

Purpose of job

Working collaboratively with Key Stakeholders the Head of Product Development will provide technical vision and leadership to successfully develop and implement new solutions, products and services in order to enhance user experience and outcomes and align delivery to the firms strategic vision. Ensures Birketts IT systems have highest quality data possible, conforming to industry standard data laws and that the management of this data is to the highest standard. Line manages the Product Development Team. Is a member of the IT Leadership Team. Act as the primary development technologies specialist at Birketts. Work directly with the Solutions Architect and senior IT team members to ensure that solutions are designed and developed in line with the firms strategies, in particular using Microsoft Cloud based technologies / platform. Works with stakeholders both within and outside of IT to understand their needs, help to translate into requirements and ultimately deliver business value. Mentors junior members of the Product Development team, helping them to embrace new technologies and foster a growth and innovation culture within the team. Drives the adoption of DevOps within the IT team with a focus on CI/CD and IaC to enable automation within the SDLC including implementing automated test processes where possible.

Accountabilities

Through the management of the Development Team, the Head of Product Development will be responsible for documentation, technical specifications, program/project management, programming, and testing/quality assurance on all systems, projects and products produced. Writing, reviewing and approving code to ensure accuracy, secure by design principals are followed and the functionality is as needed. Ensures that developed solutions are aligned to the firms business, technology and data strategies. Works as part of the wider IT Leadership team to build a high performing Agile team, following Agile methodology for product development focusing on the delivery of objectives and tracking and managing via KPIs to show, promote and manage Development performance and effectiveness / value. Be accountable for managing development vendors and internal resources to rapidly release products and services to meet the needs of the user community. Create a strong agile SCRUM development environment including leading the adoption of agile development methodologies and tools to meet the fast pace and rapidly changing business environment. Work with IT Leadership members to develop the long-term strategy for software and application development to support the firms Business, Data and Technology strategies. Works directly with the Product Delivery Team Leader to oversee functional / technical specifications and documentation of products and services / process to ensure that the needs of the business are captured prior to commencing new projects. Leads the Product Development team to create and execute appropriate project plans, test strategies and processes for development activities in conjunction with the business. Develops a team of technology experts who understand the business and effectively work with vendors and other development staff to enable the continuous deployment/development of our products and services. Build an effective development team through coaching, mentoring and developing team members to drive innovation, productivity, continuity. Understanding where AI and emerging technologies can be used to maximise business value. Keeping up to date with emerging technology developments and industry trends.

Qualifications/Experience

• 3 + years of experience managing and leading a Software Development team.
• Senior development background of at least 6+ years of hands-on software development, including proven experience in overseeing the full implementation of the Software Development Life Cycle.
• Proven experience of leading a team working within Azure DevOps and running DevOps methodologies.
• Certified Agile Scrum methodology practitioner.
• Management and Leadership qualifications.

Skills

• Strong leadership, project and change management skills with the ability to build and lead a successful technology team.
• Proven success in defining, building, and releasing software-based solutions that drive customer ROI.
• Expert in agile development methodology and toolkits.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills and consensus- and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to be flexible and quickly grasp concepts and solve complex problems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence across the organization and articulate technical requirements and issues in clear business language.
• Ability to create a dynamic results-oriented culture within the Development team, passionate about innovation, collaboration, accountability and professionalism.
• Strong experience in development frameworks and API management.
• Detailed understanding of Microservices and the development of them as part of a wider architectural strategy.
• Experience of Test Driven Development and automated test processes.
• Detailed understanding of APIs and extensive experience of using 3rd party APIs to integrate solutions.
• Extensive experience of developing custom APIs.

At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits: 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays (rising to 30 days), Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service, Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed), Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme, Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share), Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance. Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested. Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.