At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a team of software developers to deliver high-quality outcomes.
- Company: Join CSG, the UK's largest local authority-owned trading organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible hybrid working.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in transforming software development and improving public services.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading software teams and knowledge of modern .NET technologies.
Location: Kings Hill, West Malling / Hybrid Remote (on-site approximately twice per month, with increased attendance during onboarding and probation)
Salary/package: £65,000 - £70,000 per annum
Contract type: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Shape the future of software development at CSG. You will be a trusted and valued leader within our Technology team, playing a key role in transforming how software development is delivered across Commercial Services Group. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, with real visibility, autonomy and responsibility.
This role would suit an experienced software development leader who enjoys developing people, improving ways of working and driving positive change. You'll have the opportunity to influence engineering standards, team culture and delivery practices while supporting a significant technology transformation programme.
Who we are
Commercial Services Group (CSG) is one of the UK's largest local authority-owned trading organisations, operating 35+ businesses across education, energy, IT, procurement, HR and more. With over 1,700 employees, our ambition is to create value and impact for every customer, every day. Our mission is simple. We support the delivery of better public services to help people live, learn and thrive. This purpose underpins everything we do. A significant proportion of our profits is reinvested into frontline public services, enabling us to combine commercial performance with meaningful social value.
Why this role matters
You will play a key role in leading the Development Team through a period of significant transformation, ensuring modern engineering practices, delivery excellence and continuous improvement are embedded across the function. This is a role where leadership, technical expertise and collaboration are essential, with responsibility for developing people, improving delivery standards and helping shape the future direction of software development across the organisation.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading, coaching and developing a team of software developers to deliver high-quality outcomes
- Managing development delivery activities, including planning, quality assurance and release management
- Supporting the adoption of modern engineering practices, development tools and delivery standards
- Working closely with Architecture, Product and Technology colleagues to deliver strategic priorities
- Building effective relationships with external delivery partners to maximise capability and knowledge sharing
- Driving improvements in team performance, ways of working and development processes
- Supporting the adoption of cloud technologies and AI-assisted development tools
- Creating an environment where colleagues can grow, develop and succeed
What we’re looking for
- Proven experience leading and developing software development teams
- Strong knowledge of modern .NET technologies and Azure platforms
- Experience improving development processes, engineering standards and delivery capability
- The ability to lead teams through change and transformation programmes
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Experience working collaboratively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- A proactive and solutions-focused approach
What you’ll get in return
- Salary of £65,000 - £70,000 per annum
- 25 days annual leave, increasing with length of service
- Birthday Day Off
- One Concessionary Day off during the Christmas Period
- Life assurance cover (4x salary)
- Pension scheme with 6% employer contribution
- Additional benefits including retail and gym discounts, health cash plan and cycle to work scheme
- Volunteer days and access to a comprehensive wellbeing programme
- Tailored development support with real opportunities to progress
- Access to Learning & Development opportunities via our CSG Academy
- Flexible remote hybrid working with occasional travel to Kings Hill and other locations as required
Why CSG?
CSG is the UK’s largest local authority-owned trading company (LATCO), generating over £700 million in revenue per annum and supporting more than 16,000 education and public sector customers globally. We are growing through a combination of organic development, acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Our 35+ businesses deliver services across education, IT, HR, legal, energy, procurement and more, all focused on delivering meaningful impact. As a locally owned organisation, we take pride in reinvesting a significant proportion of our profits into frontline services, helping strengthen the communities we serve.
Inclusion & Accessibility
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from suitably qualified people of all backgrounds. As a member of Inclusive Employers with Silver Accreditation, we are actively building an environment that supports inclusion, flexibility and belonging for all colleagues. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our application and interview process; please let us know if you require any.
Developer Manager in Kings Hill employer: Commercial Services
Global Education Supplies (GES) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that values employee growth and development. With a competitive salary of £26,000 per annum, generous benefits including 25 days annual leave, hybrid working options, and access to learning opportunities through the CSG Academy, GES provides a meaningful career path for those looking to thrive in the sales support field. Located in Aylesford, this role not only allows you to contribute to a growing team but also to make a positive impact in the education sector on a global scale.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Developer Manager in Kings Hill
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Commercial Services or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Commercial Services.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Commercial Services.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Commercial Services that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Developer Manager in Kings Hill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Commercial Services.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Commercial Services and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Commercial Services
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Commercial Services uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
