At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to deliver high-quality software solutions and drive continuous improvement.
- Company: Join DFS Group, a vibrant community of brands focused on creating beautiful living spaces.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, competitive salary, and access to professional development resources.
- Other info: Access to learning hubs, apprenticeship programmes, and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while growing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development leadership and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About us
At DFS Group, we're proud to help people create spaces they love to live in. We're home to DFS, Sofology, and The Sofa Delivery Company: three brands with their own personalities, brought together by a shared mission. Behind our brands is a passionate Group team. From Finance and Technology to People, Marketing and Supply Chain, our Group functions power everything we do. They create the foundations that allow our brands to thrive, innovate and grow.
Whether you're supporting our brands or serving our customers, the mindset that connects us means we expect more of ourselves and each other. It means every customer is our favourite, every voice is valued, and every interaction is one we're proud of. When you're part of a community that shares your way of thinking, the wins feel bigger. The effort feels worth it. It's a place where people stay because they feel valued, and find room to grow because they're challenged.
About the role
As Group Application Development Manager, you'll play a key role in leading our Application Development team, ensuring we deliver high-quality software solutions that support the needs of DFS Group. You'll be responsible for managing the development function, overseeing the delivery of projects, system enhancements, bug fixes and ongoing business-as-usual requests, while ensuring robust processes, governance and best practices are followed.
You'll act as the key link between the business and the Software Development team, helping to shape priorities, manage demand and identify opportunities to improve the way we work. With a focus on leadership, collaboration and continuous improvement, you'll coach and develop a talented team, drive efficiencies, monitor performance and contribute to the wider Application Development & Test strategy to help deliver technology solutions that make a real difference across the Group.
What you'll be responsible for:
- Leading and developing the Group Software Development team, providing coaching, support and direction to build a high-performing function.
- Delivering the Application Development & Test roadmap, overseeing projects, enhancements, bug fixes and BAU requests to agreed quality standards and timescales.
- Acting as the key point of contact for Software Development across DFS Group, managing demand, priorities and stakeholder relationships.
- Managing backlogs, sprints, workload planning and resource capacity to support effective delivery.
- Driving continuous improvement by simplifying processes, standardising ways of working and improving team efficiency.
- Ensuring software development policies, procedures and standards align with industry best practice, security requirements and governance.
- Establishing KPIs and reporting to monitor performance, delivery, capacity and risks.
- Managing third-party relationships and supporting effective service delivery.
- Coaching and developing the team through training, succession planning and cross-skilling to build capability and resilience.
- Creating a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement across the function.
We're looking for someone who has:
- Proven experience leading and developing teams within a Software Development or IT environment, ideally within a retail organisation.
- 3-5 years management experience, with the ability to build high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring and clear direction.
- Strong understanding of software delivery, workflow management, prioritisation and managing competing demands based on risk, impact and urgency.
- Experience managing budgets, costs, resources and supplier relationships within an IT environment.
- Experience of managing risk, workloads and operational challenges through structured processes and frameworks.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and build trusted relationships across the business.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to take ownership of issues, resolve complex problems and make timely decisions.
- Experience driving continuous improvement and delivering high-quality customer-focused services against agreed measures.
- The ability to manage challenging situations, negotiate effectively and resolve conflicts.
- Experience developing talent, identifying skills gaps and supporting recruitment, succession planning and team capability.
- A degree (or equivalent) in Computing, IT or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
- Strong knowledge of IT asset management, cost control and service delivery practices.
Don't let it discourage you if you don't have all of this experience, it's a guideline that will help you hit the ground running. If the role sounds like it would be a great fit for you and you're confident that it suits you, we'd love you to apply.
Ensure you read the information regarding this opportunity thoroughly before making an application.
Room to grow
Everyone at DFS Group begins with a structured induction designed to help you understand our brands, our culture and how we work together. From day one, you will have access to our online Learning Hub, filled with digital courses, tools and resources to support your development. For leaders, we offer virtual workshops focused on building confident, capable leadership. We also run skills-based workshops to strengthen core capabilities across the business. Colleagues can also undertake nationally recognised qualifications through our apprenticeship programmes, giving you the opportunity to gain external accreditation while you grow your career with us.
Our DFS Group benefits
We believe great work deserves great support. That's why we offer benefits that help you grow, feel looked after, and enjoy life beyond work. Here's what we have to offer:
- 25 days holiday, plus the option to buy up to 5 more
- Car or Cash Allowance
- Annual Bonus scheme
- Enhanced parental leave
- Health cash plan from £2 a month, with everyday cashback
- Employee Assistance Programme for support when you need it
- Extras like flu vouchers, menopause support and health check
- Pension with company contributions
- Life assurance for peace of mind
- Sharesave scheme to save each month and invest in our future
- Structured induction from day one
- Access to our Learning Hub and skills workshops
- Leadership development and apprenticeship programmes
- 30% colleague discount, plus 15% for friends and family, three times a year
- Discounts and cashback at hundreds of retailers
- SmartTech scheme to buy tech up to £1,000 through salary sacrifice
- Cycle to Work scheme for bikes and accessories up to £1,500
- Electric vehicle lease scheme with Octopus to help you save and reduce your impact
- One paid volunteering day each year
Equal opportunities
We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and makes room for different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. We turn that commitment into action through colleague networks, trusted partnerships and recognised accessibility initiatives such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
If your experience does not quite match every part of the role, we'd still love to hear from you. If you need any adjustments or additional support during the application process, please contact our Talent Team and we will be happy to help.
Group Application Development Manager cloned on 10-09-26 170929 in Doncaster employer: DFS Head Office
At DFS Group, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where creativity thrives and every employee is valued. As a 3D Shader and Materials Artist, you'll have access to extensive professional development opportunities, including our Learning Hub and leadership workshops, all while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package that supports your well-being and work-life balance. Located in a dynamic environment, we encourage innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to grow their careers and contribute to creating beautiful living spaces.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Application Development Manager cloned on 10-09-26 170929 in Doncaster
✨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 DFS Head Office 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 DFS Head Office.
✨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 DFS Head Office.
✨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 DFS Head Office 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 Group Application Development Manager cloned on 10-09-26 170929 in Doncaster
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 DFS Head Office.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at DFS Head Office 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 DFS Head Office
✨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 DFS Head Office 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.
