Head of Product Development - Newcastle

Summary

Here at Communicator we are looking recruit an experienced Head of Product Development to head up and manage a strong team of lead developers and a test manager.

This is a key specialist role, combining a deep technical understanding of developing scalable SaaS based software solutions, attention to detail, excellent communication skills and a desire to architect innovative software, the Head of Product Development will be responsible for all activities relating to the advancement of the Communicator product.

About our Business - So who are we?

Communicator is a Software-as- a-Service (SaaS) based strategic email service partner, focused on helping ambitious brands optimise their performance across multiple channels.

Our expertise, industry-leading guidance and first class customer experience provide unrivalled engagement and ROI. We are more than software and automation technology - Communicator stands out because of our people, our high quality counsel and our consistent delivery of truly impactful results. We pride ourselves on enabling our customers to out-perform and stay one step ahead of their competition.

We work with a range of high profile brands such as Adidas, Co-op Group, Domino's, Matalan and Scottish and Southern Energy, as well as smaller growing companies. To support our next stage of growth we are looking to appoint an additional Test Analyst to join our Technology department.

Communicator is also part of the Reach Group. Reach plc, has an award-winning portfolio of newspapers, websites and digital products and is one of the UK's largest multimedia companies employing more than six thousand people across more than sixty locations around the country

Package

As well as offering a competitive basic salary, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (with the option to buy more) and a contributory Pension scheme, we also offer an extensive benefits package.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide clear strategic direction for the future technology platforms and solutions of the business, in conjunction with the Managing Director and Product Manager.
• Communicate this direction with the Development and Testing teams.
• Work with the Product team to understand and enhance business requirements.
• Assisted by the Product Manager and Product Owners, plan and manage all phases of the development lifecycle adopting an agile approach to new product development.
• Facilitate regular team meetings and provide technical and professional guidance to Developers and Testers to ensure consistency of development work and good relationships with the members of the wider business.
• Provide information to management colleagues on the progress of development projects.
• Undertake reviews of detailed designs and application code.
• Implement quality management systems in association with the Managing Director and Product Manager.
• Identify and Implement processes and systems which optimise work performance and customer satisfaction.
• Communicate with the infrastructure team and other appropriate parties any requirements relating to development, test, staging and production environments.
• Work with the Product Manager to identify new services and products that create value for the Company and its customers.
• Contribute to research into emerging technologies and make recommendations on how they can/should be adopted by the company.
• Take on line management responsibility for the Lead Developers and Test Manager.
• Assume overall responsibility for and support to the Lead Developers and Test
• Manager in the recruitment, selection, performance management, motivation, training & development, reward and general management of staff within the team in association with the Group HR function.
• Undertake additional duties as requested by the Managing Director.

Ideal Candidate

You will hold a relevant degree and/or possess equivalent professional experience. You will be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the disciplines required for managing the complex requirements of a business critical technology platform. Ideally this will have been gained in a technology, digital or software engineering context.

Specifically, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Very high technical competence, a track record of strong coding and individual technical accomplishments.
• A structured software development and testing background.
• Entrepreneurial drive, demonstrated ability to achieve stretch goals in an innovative and fast paced environment.
• 8+ years relevant experience building and managing fast growing, scalable, dynamic products and development teams.
• Solid leadership skills and experience building and managing strong development teams.
• Strong project-management and communication skills.
• Proven track record for product delivery.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership to teams and to provide hands-on management.
• Ability to establish credibility with talented developers quickly, and provide longer term vision and motivation
• Ability to research and trial new technologies and design patterns and adopt into mainstream development activities as appropriate