Software Development Manager

Content Guru is a leading provider of cloud communications solutions. We help businesses across the globe to enhance their customer engagement and experience. 

From our omni-channel cloud contact center solution to our bespoke integration systems, we use cutting-edge technology to transform communications and make mass personalization a reality. This includes our development of AI and propensity modelling to create the seamless end-to-end customer journeys that inspire loyalty and power the success of organizations worldwide.

What we are looking for... 

We are looking for exceptional senior software developers to lead our team with 4+ years experience managing and motivating a high performing team who are committed to delivering valuable applications and services to customers. You will ensure the software meets the agreed acceptance criteria and the team’s definition of done. 

This is a hands on role for which we are looking for an individual who is passionate about developing the highest quality output, from a motivated team by leading by example and being a subject matter expert in multiple languages.

From design, development, testing, deploying and maintaining up-to-date applications and services, you enable The Company to deliver mission-critical communications solutions for customers. 

Location...

We welcome applications from candidates based in either Porto, Portugal or Bracknell, Berkshire. 

This is an office-based vacancy and as such we expect all applicants to be willing to relocate or commute to our offices a minimum of 3-4 days per week as per our hybrid working policy. 

Key Responsibilities...

Management

• Responsible for the software engineering output of the team
• mentor direct reports within the same agile team.
• Complete performance reviews and personal development plans for direct reports.
• Manage performance issues in conjunction with your own line manager, including performance improvement plans and absence improvement plans.
• Assist in recruitment activities, including recruitment days, phone and face to face interviews.
• On an ongoing basis consider for the performance of team members and raise concerns with your own line manager and / or people team.
• Facilitate agile \ Scrum ceremonies, refinement, planning, review and retrospectives.
• Track and support the team implementing changes from retrospectives.
• Provide weekly reporting of team progress to the department head.
• Collaborate with other teams and departments to ensure that deliverables from the team will meet the customer’s expectation, for example working with operations on deployment of the software.
• Collaborate with the Product Owner to manage the Product(s) backlog and give guidance on timeframes for deliverables.

Development 

• Write code in appropriate languages, principally c#. 
• Design the architecture of new application components and achieve internal sign off for development specifications where required. 
• Work within an Agile team to develop applications to meet product/customer requirements. 
• Thoroughly test new features or developments to make sure they perform the desired task correctly in all cases. 
• Work with Quality Assurance teams/processes to validate builds ready for launch. 
• Maintenance & improvement 
• Problem solve and fix bugs as discovered/reported. 
• Perform ongoing maintenance or upgrade of the platform as required, following internal change procedures at all times. 
• Peer review colleague’s work. 
• Share ideas and work on projects for improving applications, process or the wider platform. 
• Review projects/deployments and learn lessons to improve future performance. 
• Design and pilot prototype applications where required. 
• Stay up to date with software development trends and technological advancements. Learn and test new technologies, frameworks and languages as relevant. 

About you... 

• Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM, Computer Science or related subject.
• Good experience of developing commercial projects/applications in C# or React. 
• Good experience in SQL and using relational databases such as Microsoft SQL Server. 
• Experience in source control, in particular Git. 
• Experience working within an Agile environment, in particular Scrum, and applying supporting practices. 
• Can demonstrate Right to Work in Portugal or hold a valid work VISA if applicable.
• Good understanding of English language.

In addition, any experience in the following would be beneficial:- 

• Some knowledge and understanding of AI and ML concepts.
• Experience of Javascript, Typescript and associated frameworks and libraries, in particular React.js.  

Required skills 

• Minimum 4 years experience managing and motivating a team.
• Degree educated. 
• Lead by example as a master in all disciplines of software development.

About the Company:

Content Guru is the largest privately owned provider of Contact Centre as a Service (CCaaS) in Europe. We have grown to have offices in the UK, US, Netherlands, Germany and Japan, and our award-winning proprietary cloud services now power some of the largest organisations across the globe. Operating in sectors ranging from utilities and travel through to finance and government, our clients include UK Power Networks, Rakuten, Rightmove, Interflora, Sodexo, and the National Health Service (NHS).

Our mission is to enhance the way the world communicates. With our omni-channel cloud contact centre solution, storm®, we enable businesses, customers and colleagues to interact across social media, video, SMS, email, web, web chat, and emerging technologies, such as WebRTC. We connect to hundreds of external systems, including AI, information and logistics systems, to bring information and communications together and deliver the customer experience of tomorrow.

We are an equal opportunities employer and consider all qualified and experienced applicants without regard to race, gender, religion, orientation, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are devoted to our people and pride ourselves on developing and upskilling our employees to give them the best opportunities for success.