Software Development Manager

ROLE SUMMARY

Join this leading insurer as a software development manager where you will manage and prioritize IT Systems Development tasks through the effective deployment of resources and efficient workload allocation. Lead a team of system developers to drive innovation and ensuring that Business IT Systems requirements are sufficiently developed and adhered to.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Application Software Roadmap

Define and maintain a road map to facilitate application software development and ensure the development work is prioritized in line with business requirements.

Solutions Analysis

Develop innovative solutions by integrating and analyzing complex and diverse information sources.

Stakeholder Engagement

Build and effectively maintain relationships with relevant business and IT representatives on an on-going basis. Identify and manage stakeholders up to management level, finding out their needs/issues/concerns and reacting to these by leading and coordinating the development of stakeholder engagement plans to support the communication of business information and decisions.

Leadership and Direction

Communicate the actions needed to implement the function''''s strategy and business plan within the team; explain the relationship to the broader organization''''s mission, vision and values; motivate people to commit to these and to doing extraordinary things to achieve local business goals.

Strategy Formation & Implementation

Develop tactical plans for optimizing resources and assets being managed within a given area or department.

Performance Management

Manage and report on the performance of a substantial, diverse team; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports or project / account team members and hold them accountable for achieving these; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of team / personal objectives.

Data Collection & Analysis

Conduct research using primary data sources and select information needed for the analysis of key themes and trends.

Insights and Reporting

Contribute to the design and creation of reporting strategies and templates. Lead execution of complex reports, identifying and interpreting complex patterns and trends, and translating those insights into actionable recommendations.

Organizational Capability Building

Evaluate the capabilities of staff within the department to identify gaps and prioritize development activities. Implement the organization''''s formal development frameworks within the area of responsibility. Coach and mentor others to support the development of the organization''''s talent pool.

Project, Program and Portfolio Management

Plan and manage the delivery of projects within an area of professional expertise, using an appropriate project management methodology to give assurance that intended outcomes are achieved.

Application Software Development

Develop existing applications and contribute to development of new applications by analyzing and identifying areas for modification and improvement. Develop new routine applications to meet customer requirements.

Personal Capability Building

Develop own capabilities by participating in assessment and development planning activities as well as formal and informal training and coaching; gain or maintain external professional accreditation where relevant to improve performance and fulfill personal potential. Maintain an in- depth understanding of technology, external regulation, and industry best practices through ongoing education, attending conferences, and reading specialist media.

Operational Compliance

Monitor and review performance and behaviors within area of responsibility to identify and resolve non-compliance with the organization''''s policies and relevant regulatory codes and codes of conduct.

Information Security

Implement and provide input on the design of required security measures such as firewalls or message encryption, monitoring performance to notify security experts of any problems.

Skills

Tech Savvy

Anticipates and adopts innovations in business-building digital and technology applications. For example, skillfully determines the technologies and innovations that will be most beneficial. Makes learning new technologies a regular part of the team activities, creating both capabilities and enthusiasm.

Action Oriented

Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. For example, creates a sense of urgency and confidence, and helps others see the benefit of taking initiative. Creates new challenges for others. Quickly seizes new, successful business opportunities.

Communicates Effectively

Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, engages diverse groups by communicating in a way that matches each group''''s preferences. Listens carefully and probes beneath the surface to gain richer insight on others'''' views.

Manages Complexity

Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, offers penetrating questions to help others get to the heart of complex situations and find strong solutions. Uses a range of inputs to fully understand and solve problems.

Collaborates

Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, enhances and improves collaboration among coworkers and with external partners. Solicits ideas from diverse colleagues, leaves space in conversation for them; gives credit well and generously.

Decision Quality

Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. For example, ensures that people internalize policies and standards and accept full responsibility for their decisions. Confidently makes choices in the best interests of the organization, deals constructively with resistance.

Ensures Accountability

Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. For example, helps team hold each other accountable for goals, adherence to policies and procedures. Tracks team metrics and milestones, redirecting effort, as necessary, for continued progress.

Directs Work

Provides direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done. For example, delegates tasks, providing generally clear expectations to staff. Coordinates and integrates the team''''s work, reducing duplication. Measures team progress using the right indicators; recognizes when problems or shortfalls occur.

Being Resilient

Rebounds from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations. For example, deals effectively with crises and volatile situations. Puts people''''s failures in perspective and helps them move forward. Maintains calm in adversity; stays objective. Uses hardships and difficult experiences as an opportunity for personal and team growth.

Plans and Aligns

Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. For example, stays focused on plans and improvises in response to changes, including risks and contingencies. Aligns own team''''s work with other workgroups''''. Looks ahead to determine and obtain needed resources to complete plans.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Assessment

Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to work independently while providing guidance and training to others on analyzing data from multiple sources to draw appropriate conclusions and make suitable recommendations.

Action Planning

Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to work independently while providing guidance and training to others on developing appropriate plans or performing necessary actions based on recommendations and requirements.

Planning and Organizing

Uses comprehensive knowledge and skills to work independently while providing guidance and training to others on planning, organizing, prioritizing and overseeing activities to efficiently meet business objectives.

Data Collection and analysis

Works independently and provides guidance and training to others on analyzing data trends for use in reports to help guide decision making.

Application Development

Provide technical guidance when required to develop software using relevant programming languages.

Verbal and Written Communication

Uses clear and effective verbal communications skills without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on expressing ideas, requesting actions and formulating plans or policies.

Costing and Budgeting

Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on costing, budgeting and finance tasks.

Computer skills

Supports business processes without supervision by understanding and effectively using standard office equipment and standard software packages, while providing technical guidance as needed.

Presentation skills

Communicates with other people without requiring supervision and provides technical guidance when required on speaking in a clear, concise and compelling manner.

Presentation creation

Applies concepts of knowledge / skill without requiring supervision; also able to provide technical guidance when required

IT Data Management

Provide technical guidance when required to manage information throughout its lifecycle by designing and executing appropriate architectures, policies and practices.

Policy and procedures

Provide technical guidance when required to monitor, interpret and understand policies and procedures, while making sure they match organizational objectives.

Project Management

Works without supervision while providing technical guidance when required on managing projects and/or programs within desired cost, time and quality parameters.

IT Testing

Works without supervision and provides technical guidance when required on ensuring that IT applications meet required specifications by designing, executing and reporting on tests of systems and services.

General Education

Grade 12 / SAQA Accredited (Essential)

 Recognized IT degree / diploma (Advantageous)

General Experience

6 or more years adequate System Development experience using the relevant programming, language or technologies (Essential)

Previous experience in Financial Insurance industry (Advantageous)

Managerial Experience

3 - 6 years experience of planning and managing resources to deliver predetermined objectives as specified by more senior managers (Essential)