Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Development to lead our software development initiatives across various platforms in UKHSA. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to lead a team of talented developers in the delivery of world-class digital solutions for UKHSA.

You will:

oversee the software development lifecycle, ensuring projects are completed on time, to budget, and the highest quality. Your ability to balance technical expertise with strategic vision will drive innovation and efficiency across our digital platforms. A key aspect of this role is maintaining robust software development governance frameworks and best practices.



play a critical role in managing service levels, overseeing Level 2 and Level 3 service management teams, ensuring that issues are resolved quickly and effectively.



oversee all aspects of testing, including non-functional, functional, and Quality Assurance testing, ensuring our software meets stringent quality standards before deployment

You will:

lead the integration of DevOps methodologies, promoting collaboration between development and operations teams. Your expertise in CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code will enable us to automate and manage our infrastructure efficiently, ensuring consistent and repeatable deployments across various environments.



be leading a diverse team of G6's including Principal Developers and Principal DevOps Engineers who in turn will be managing teams of engineers.



The ideal candidate will bring extensive expertise in software development best practices, service management, and DevOps methodologies, with a strong track record of managing suppliers, contracts and ensuring the highest standards of quality assurance.



Lead the development and deployment of robust services, APIs, and mobile applications.

Oversee project lifecycles from requirements gathering to implementation, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with strategic objectives

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy innovative solutions and enhance service delivery

Establish and enforce software development governance frameworks, standards, and best practices.

Promote a culture of continuous improvement and adherence to industry standards

Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and policies across all development



We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.



UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.



Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Responsibilities will include:

Manage a team of various grades, from G6 to HEO



Manage L2 and L3 support teams to provide effective and efficient incident resolution and management.



Develop and implement service management processes to ensure high availability and reliability of applications and services.



Monitor / report on service performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions



Oversee the planning and execution of testing strategies, including non-functional, functional, and quality assurance testing



Ensure the development of automated testing frameworks and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines



Champion DevOps practices and collaboration between development and operations teams



Implement / manage CI/CD pipelines to streamline the development and deployment process.



Utilise Infrastructure as Code to automate and manage infrastructure, ensuring scalability and consistency across environments



Establish core patterns of reusability for deployment of services



Manage relationships with suppliers, negotiate contracts and ensure compliance with SLA

Essential criteria:

Educated to degree level in a relevant subject such as computer science or software development



Proven experience in a leadership role within a software development team



Extensive experience in software development methodologies, tools, and techniques, including Agile, Scrum, DevOps, etc. (lead criteria)



Strong technical expertise in programming languages, frameworks, and technologies relevant to web and application development



Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to effectively interact with diverse stakeholders at all levels.



Demonstrable ability to lead and motivate a team, drive results, and foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.



Proven track record of successfully delivering complex development projects on time and within budget, including experience in supplier management, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and relationship management.

Desirable criteria:

Demonstrated ability to stay updated on emerging technologies and trends in software development, and to recommend innovative solutions to enhance organisational capabilities.

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and experience.

Stage 1:

Application & Sift



You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:



Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application)

1000 supporting statement.



This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.



The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:



Meets all essential criteria - these will be taken to shortlist

Meets some essential criteria

Meets no essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:



Extensive experience in software development methodologies, tools, and techniques, including Agile, Scrum, DevOps, etc



Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.



If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment



Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.



Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:

Technical Test



Candidates who are successful at the SIFT stage will be invited to complete a technical test designed to assess the essential criteria for the role.



The test must be completed and submitted within 48 hours of receipt.

Late submissions will not be considered and will not progress to the interview stage.

Candidates who do not meet the required standard in the test will not progress to the interview stage.



We appreciate your interest and understanding as we ensure a fair and thorough recruitment process

Stage 3:

Interview (success profiles)



You will be invited to a single face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Leadership (lead behaviour

Seeing the Big Picture

Making Effective Decisions

Communicating and Influencing



Interviews will be held week commencing 25 th August 2025. Please note, these dates are subject to change.



Eligibility Criteria



External



Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).



Security Clearance Level Requirement



Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.



Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard



Location



This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Core HQ in Canary Wharf, London. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month). Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).