Assistant Director of Product Delivery, University of Sheffield, Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Salary: Competitive, plus Pension

This is newly created, transformative role which requires a senior software product development leader to create the software product eco-system across the University of Sheffield.

The University of Sheffield is seeking to adopt a data-driven, personalised and enhanced approach to digital teaching, learning and our corporate services. As such, the development of sophisticated suite of productised applications will be key to enabling this change. Consequently, the University requires a senior software product delivery leader to help establish the underpinning structures, approach and communities of practice to deliver the product landscape. 

• Build relationships across the organisation to gain upstream visibility of the University’s software and integration development requirements. Understand the Institution’s objectives then create and deliver an aligned portfolio of products to facilitate them.
• Create a transformational application strategy which will put user experience, service design, inclusivity and accessibility at the heart of product development, and move the University towards a modern, agile, product-based software landscape. 
• Build professional communities of practice and software development functions which are adept in the use of iterative development methods. Manage the internal and external “resource mix” ensuring effective use of resources and forming strategic commercial partnerships with relevant technology vendors. 

The Candidate:

• A visionary, impactful, delivery-focused applications leader with a deep pedigree of transformational software development experience, preferably gained whilst improving legacy environments. You will have demonstrated the ability to capture the high-level view of requirements, and of building the product delivery capability to meet them.
• An evangelising and inspirational people leader with a track record of re-shaping diverse development functions and driving delivery excellence. You should demonstrate experience introducing Agile methods and of building communities of practice in legacy environments.
• A senior and rounded organisational leader with the impact and gravitas. You should be able to operate at the strategic level and to engage across a diverse and challenging stakeholder landscape. 

The University of Sheffield has engaged the services of Berwick Partners (an Odgers Berndtson company), to whom applications should be sent.

Closing date: 15th March 2021 12:00 noon