Head of Software Services

We are looking for a Head of Software Services to join our Digital business. We provide, through Sirius Digital, bespoke, robust and high-performance software to meet and exceed user requirements. We specialise in Software Engineering, Modelling & Simulation, Robotics & Autonomous Systems, Synthetic Environments, and AI & Machine Learning (ML). Our team provides adaptable and highly skilled capability, with a range of specialities to ensure that the right techniques are used to solve your problem.

The Role:

As Head of Software Services you will be accountable for the P&L of all projects delivered through software teams and help inspire teams to achieve customer focussed excellence. Your role will also be to develop the partnering with senior stakeholders within Sirius Digital and Sirius Analysis colleagues, enhancing collaboration, definition and understanding of services across the group. With a commercial mindset, you will be responsible for client relationship management and work externally with our clients to build the pipeline and shape.

Responsibilities will include:

• End-to-end accountability for delivering complex service contracts, ensuring our clients achieve the outcomes that matter most.
• Oversee software engineering programmes and projects, ensuring alignment with client needs and business objectives.
• Lead and own all aspects of service delivery, including contract performance and reporting.
• Shape strategic client relationships and work within Heads of Capability across the group to manage the pipeline and enhance service offerings to meet market needs.
• Reporting into the board on financial and operational performance and risks, ensuring delivery of business outcomes.
• Overseeing the end-to-end bid process for Digital, from identifying opportunities to submitting proposals, including bid architecting and submission detailed proposals (bids).
• Support all workforce planning activities as part of the Engineering management function.

About You:

You will bring proven experience of leading major software engineering programmes, ideally within the defence sector. You should demonstrate strong commercial judgement, exceptional relationship-building skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate senior stakeholders and diverse teams alike.

You should have:

• Experience in delivering as part of leadership team within a consultancy environment.
• Extensive experience in software engineering, with a proven track record of leading complex defence programs and delivering high-impact solutions.
• A demonstrable track record in delivering large-scale software engineering programmes in areas such as Autonomous Systems or Modelling and Simulation.
• Strong experience managing complex service contracts and governance.
• Proven ability to build and sustain trusted senior client relationships.
• Proven experience in successfully managing complex programmes with multi-disciplinary teams of technical experts.
• Experience leading successful bid campaigns.
• Commercial acumen with experience driving revenue, growth, and profitability.
• Leadership skills to develop and inspire teams in dynamic environments.
• Practitioner experience in a relevant sector.
• Strong communication, presentation and written skills.
• Organised and able to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Highly motivated professional who strives to deliver ahead of targets.
• Trusted self-motivated individual who can perform when working as part of a team or when acting independently with support from colleagues.
• Able to travel to different sites across the UK.
• Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC level).

Qualifications:

• APM or equivalent project management qualifications with substantial knowledge of agile project management.
• Degree-level qualification in a relevant engineering, science, or technology discipline.

What we offer:

We offer a combination of mentoring and internal and external training opportunities, with specialist sector organisations and in-house courses. You will have exposure to subject matter experts and additional online learning packages. The role comes with a competitive benefits package including pension (7% company contribution), additional holiday purchase options, private health care, life assurance and electric vehicle scheme.

Other Requirements:

Candidates must have an existing right to live and work in the UK. Candidates will need to undergo an internal BPSS check prior to gaining site access. Candidates will also need to either hold a current SC clearance or be willing and eligible to undergo a Security Clearance check (SC level) upon starting their employment with the company. To gain SC clearance you will normally need at least 5 years’ UK residency.