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- Tasks: Lead and innovate in Application Engineering, driving commercial success and delivery excellence.
- Company: Join SoftServe, a forward-thinking tech company with a global impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values innovation, ownership, and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of software engineering while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in tech services with proven leadership and P&L experience.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
The Global Practice Leader, Application Engineering owns the full commercial and operational success of SoftServe's Application Engineering Practice — one of the company's core service lines. This is a business ownership role as much as a delivery leadership role. The Practice Leader is accountable for the Practice's market position, service portfolio, revenue growth, and delivery excellence — operating at the intersection of strategy, sales, and engineering execution.
The role combines the accountability of a Practice Lead (capability strategy, talent, community) with that of a Service Owner (commercial outcomes, value proposition, pipeline, and client success) — and requires a leader who is equally comfortable shaping offerings as they are closing deals and overseeing large-scale delivery.
Key Responsibilities- Commercial Success & Pipeline Management
- Responsible for the Practice's P&L: revenue targets, margin performance, pricing models, and investment decisions.
- Lead go-to-market strategy for Application Engineering services — working with sales, account, and marketing teams to grow pipeline and close strategic deals.
- Drive services diversification and move up the value chain in existing client accounts.
- Oversee proposal strategy and provide executive-level input on major pursuits, deal structuring, and commercial risk.
- Track and report on pipeline health, bookings, and revenue forecasts with full accountability for outcomes.
- Service Portfolio & Value Proposition
- Define and evolve the Application Engineering service portfolio — including custom software development, application modernization, and cloud-native engineering.
- Develop compelling, differentiated value propositions that translate technical capability into client business outcomes.
- Drive service innovation with a product mindset: validate market demand, test new offerings, and retire or evolve services based on commercial performance.
- Ensure services are packaged, priced, and positioned to compete effectively in the market and delivered well internally.
- Integrate AI-driven and agentic engineering approaches into the service portfolio, staying ahead of market shifts in how software is built and delivered.
- Delivery Excellence & Client Satisfaction
- Set and enforce the delivery framework — quality standards, operational governance, and escalation protocols across all Practice engagements.
- Maintain executive-level client relationships; personally engage on strategic accounts and resolve high-impact escalations.
- Drive delivery productivity and profitability — eliminating unproductive activities and improving utilization and margins.
- Balance growth ambition with delivery capacity, ensuring the Practice scales without compromising quality or client satisfaction.
- Capability, Capacity & R&D Management
- Own the Practice's capability roadmap: competency frameworks, certifications, knowledge base, and technical community.
- Drive capacity planning in alignment with pipeline demand — partnering with talent acquisition and resource management on strategic workforce planning.
- Lead R&D investment decisions within the Practice: identify emerging technologies, fund POCs, and translate research into marketable services.
- Champion AI-driven engineering practices — including agentic engineering, AI-assisted development, and next-generation SDLC models.
- Talent & Leadership Development
- Build and sustain a high-performing team of delivery and engineering leaders — from recruiting to performance management to succession planning.
- Identify and directly develop the next generation of Practice leaders; create clear growth paths and leadership pipelines.
- Foster an engineering culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and commercial accountability.
- 10+ years in technology services, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (VP or above) with P&L accountability.
- Demonstrated track record of growing a services business or practice — owning commercial outcomes and delivery.
- Experience building or owning a service portfolio: defining offerings, pricing models, and go-to-market strategy.
- Background in application development, software engineering, or digital transformation — with the technical credibility to lead an engineering-driven practice.
- Proven ability to work in a matrixed, global environment — engaging at C-level with clients and partnering across sales, marketing, and delivery functions.
- Experience with AI-driven delivery models or agentic engineering is a strong advantage.
- Business Acumen - Understands market trends and uses this insight to make informed decisions that drive growth and profitability.
- Product & Service Mindset - Treats the Practice portfolio as a product — with a value proposition, target market, pricing strategy, and lifecycle.
- Commercial Drive - Personally engaged in pipeline development and deal pursuit. Comfortable operating in a client-facing context at senior level.
- AI-Forward Thinking - Understands where AI is reshaping software engineering and actively integrates that into service design, delivery models, and capability development.
- Strategic-to-Operational Range - Sets direction at the Practice level while staying close enough to execution to unblock delivery, resolve escalations, and maintain quality at scale.
- People & Culture Leadership - Builds strong engineering cultures — ownership mindset, high performance, and clear succession. Develops next generation of leaders.
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
- Business education (MBA, MsTM, or equivalent leadership programme) is an advantage.
This posting includes an anticipated salary range that SoftServe expects to offer for this position. The range provided reflects the base salary only. Final compensation within this range will be determined based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: geographic location, relevant experience, education, certifications, skills, budget, and market conditions.
Please note, the information provided in this posting is a general summary and may not include all compensation elements or benefits associated with the position.
SoftServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, and other protected characteristics under applicable law.
Let’s put your talents and experience in motion with SoftServe.
Locations
Global Practice Leader, Application Engineer in Hampshire, Portsmouth employer: SoftServe
Contact Detail:
SoftServe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Practice Leader, Application Engineer in Hampshire, Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. The more people know you’re looking for opportunities, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their services and how they align with your skills. Tailor your responses to show how you can drive commercial success and enhance client satisfaction.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your pitch. Focus on articulating your experience in leading teams and driving service innovation, as these are key for a Global Practice Leader.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Practice Leader, Application Engineer in Hampshire, Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Global Practice Leader role. Highlight your experience in application engineering and how it aligns with our goals at StudySmarter. We want to see how you can drive commercial success and delivery excellence!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a senior candidate, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and managed P&L responsibilities. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and lead others towards success!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets right to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at SoftServe
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Global Practice Leader, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L management. Be prepared to discuss specific revenue targets you've achieved in the past and how you managed margins and pricing models. This shows you're not just a leader but also a savvy business person.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role requires a blend of strategy and execution. Prepare examples of how you've developed go-to-market strategies or driven service innovation in previous roles. Highlight your ability to connect technical decisions to commercial outcomes, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Client Engagement Skills
Since maintaining executive-level client relationships is crucial, come ready with stories that illustrate your experience in resolving high-impact escalations and driving client satisfaction. Use specific examples where your involvement made a significant difference in client outcomes.
✨Emphasise Your Leadership Development Experience
The role involves building and sustaining high-performing teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've identified and developed future leaders in your previous positions. Share your approach to fostering an engineering culture of ownership and continuous improvement, as this aligns with the company's values.