At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to develop innovative software solutions for sustainable water management.
- Company: Join HR Wallingford, a leader in smart environmental solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and exceptional career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while leading cutting-edge software projects.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in software development with leadership experience; degree in Computer Science or related field.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values diverse perspectives and continuous learning.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 Β£ per year.
At HR Wallingford, we design smart, resilient solutions across the natural and built environments to help everyone live and work more sustainably with water. By harnessing research, data insights and the power of our collective expertise, we help the world to better understand the changing influence and impact of water.
Our newly created Software Solutions Division is responsible for developing, productising, and taking to market a broad range of software products. The Software Development Lead is a key member of this group, responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of the software development function. You will develop and implement best-practice software development methodologies and processes, manage a geographically distributed team (currently based in the UK and Italy), and ensure that development efforts align with the group's overall business objectives.
This role requires a strategic and collaborative thinker with a strong background in software development management, software product development, and technical team leadership. Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing and mentoring a team of software developers.
- Developing best-practice operational software development processes to ensure that we meet our business goals and continue to deliver innovative, high quality software products developed through teamwork.
- Overseeing all product development activities, including design, coding, testing, deployment and both technical support and technical presales capabilities.
- Ensuring that software projects are delivered on time, new products are created and existing ones enhanced, with rigorous testing and QA to ensure product reliability, performance and scalability.
- Supporting the development of best practice across HR Wallingford via an established software development Community of Practice.
To succeed in this role, you will bring extensive knowledge of software development principles, methodologies, and best-practice in a commercial product-based environment. You will have significant experience with implementation of product development and management tools (such as Visual Studio, GitHub/GitLab, Jira & Backlog), cloud-based deployments and a proficiency in Agile and DevOps methodologies.
You will have demonstrated experience leading and developing collaborative, geographically distributed teams and be able to demonstrate excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, communication skills and ability to work inclusively across diverse teams. You will need to have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (professional certifications desirable) with extensive experience in software development, typically 15 years or more, with demonstrated experience in a leadership role, typically of 5 years. Experience in the water/environmental sector and geospatial technologies would be beneficial.
We value diverse perspectives and welcome candidates who bring curiosity, empathy, and a commitment to continuous learning. This role needs to be within a good commutable distance to our offices in Wallingford, Oxfordshire as it requires regular presence at our Wallingford office. We support flexible working arrangements to help you balance professional and personal commitments.
Salary: from Β£75,000 to Β£80,000 plus benefits.
The closing date is Friday 13 February 2026.
If you are excited about this role but unsure whether you're the right fit, we encourage you to apply. We're also happy to answer any questions by emailing. Interested? Please apply providing your CV with covering letter.
HR Wallingford are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. We do not discriminate, and work to create an inclusive culture across our business.
Software Development Lead in Oxford employer: HR Wallingford
Contact Detail:
HR Wallingford Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Software Development Lead in Oxford
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the software development field, especially those who might know someone at HR Wallingford. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that arenβt even advertised.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on Agile and DevOps methodologies. Make sure you can discuss how you've implemented these in past roles. We want to see your strategic thinking in action!
β¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've managed geographically distributed teams and fostered collaboration. This is key for the Software Development Lead role.
β¨Tip Number 4
Donβt forget to apply through our website! Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Development Lead in Oxford
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Software Development Lead role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant software development methodologies you've used.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background in software development management makes you a perfect fit for our team.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills: Since we value collaboration, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully led geographically distributed teams. This will show us that you can work inclusively across diverse groups.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you can find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at HR Wallingford
β¨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the software development principles and methodologies mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with tools like Visual Studio, GitHub, and Jira, as well as your familiarity with Agile and DevOps practices.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and mentored geographically distributed teams. Highlight specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, demonstrating your strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
β¨Align with Their Mission
Understand HR Wallingford's focus on sustainable solutions and the water sector. Be prepared to discuss how your background and values align with their mission, and how you can contribute to their goals in software product development.
β¨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the company's software development community and their approach to innovation. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company culture is a good fit for you.