Job Description

We are looking for a friendly and capable Head of Software Development to join our growing IT Team at family-owned-and-run footwear business, Pavers. This newly created role will report directly to the Systems Director, a member of our Operating Board, and be hybrid, with three (flexible start/finish time) days per week at our York Head Office.

While the business may be over 50 years old, most(!) of our software is not. This key strategic role will lead all software development in the business, making sure our BAU, project, and ecom development teams are focussed on bringing the entire systems estate up-to-date, and then ensuring continued focus on ensuring the right software is in place for the next 50 years.

Whilst technical aptitude and critical thinking are crucial, and you must enjoy getting hands on in designing and rolling out software, fundamentally we are looking for someone with the ability to manage their team kindly, candidly, and competently. Ensuring a happy team is one of our three core business goals and we to this end have recently been awarded a 3* World Class Accreditation in our latest companywide engagement survey (Best Companies). However, there is always room to improve, and the successful candidate will be tasked with making sure we continue to do so.

As a business Pavers has been trading since 1971 and is a highly profitable family business with a strong balance sheet, over 185 retail locations, and a rapidly expanding digital presence. We also own the Jones Bootmaker, Padders, and Herring Shoes footwear businesses, remain acquisitive, and employ over 1800 people. We are one of the UK\xe2\x80\x99s Top 10 Retail Employers according to Best Companies, are Carbon Neutral, and have donated more than \xc2\xa31.5m to charity in the past 4 years.

Key Responsibilities of our Head of Software Development:

• Lead the delivery of Pavers Software Development strategy.
• Manage the design, architecture, development and unit testing of applications in accordance with established standards.
• Assist in the collection and documentation of user\'s requirements, development of user stories, estimates and work plans.
• Guide development efforts towards successful project delivery.
• Participate in peer reviews of solution designs and related code.
• Ensure software and solution deliverables are produced to the highest standard, consistent, \xe2\x80\x98fit-for-purpose\xe2\x80\x99 and meeting the expectation of the customer.
• Assess and adhere to the company\xe2\x80\x99s software release procedure.
• Work with appropriate business groups to research and develop AI based solutions.
• Provide technical leadership to teammates through coaching and mentorship.
• Plan, Develop, Test and Document Design implementations as part of a team, and within team practices and standards.
• Be proactive and supportive to the development team and provide subject matter expertise in the influencing of solutions outside the domain.
• Be highly supportive to users where engagement is required.
• Help cultivate positive values and attitude within the team and promote the use of IT in support of the business.
• Self-starter with the ability to appropriately prioritise and plan complex work in a rapidly changing environment.
• Results oriented with ability to produce products that deliver organisational benefit.
• Assist in the provision of third level support to business users.

Requirements to be our Head of Software Development

• Over 5 years software development experience, with at least 3 years as departmental lead
• Detailed understanding of JavaScript frameworks, e.g., React.js, Node.js
• Advanced knowledge of T-SQL (SQL Server / MySQL)
• HTML / CSS
• Appreciation of .NET (VB or C#) and ASP.Net
• Web Services (REST/XML/JSON)
• Exposure to Cloud based solutions (Azure, AWS, Google)
• Cloud Computing / DevOps
• Experience using generative AI to improve code accuracy and developer productivity.
• Hold valid Right to Work status for the UK (no sponsorship)
• Excellent communicator (written & verbal)
• Strong critical thinker with problem solving aptitude.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills demonstrating outside-the-box problem solving skills.

Pay & Benefits for our Head of Software Development

\xc2\xa3Competitive Salary depending on experience, plus:

• Flexible/Hybrid Working 2 days per week working from home.
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• Generous Staff Discount
• Death in Service Benefit x3 Salary
• Private Medical Insurance
• Holiday Entitlement (Increases with service)
• Company Contribution Pension 7.5% matched
• Access to Retail TRUST (Wellbeing & Financial Support)
• Access to the Pavers Foundation: an employee-led grant application and charitable giving scheme
• Access to Pavers Academy for learning and development opportunities

About Us

At Pavers we look for confident, upbeat people and we provide great jobs in a supportive family environment for them. We know that without our colleagues there is no business, and so we always try and do the right thing by our people. We strive for diversity of thinking across the business and believe strongly in supporting our local communities. In 2018 we donated over \xc2\xa32.2m to establish the Pavers Foundation, with the specific purpose of providing grants for causes important to our colleagues in the areas of health, education, and community. In terms of the environment, we are constantly seeking to reduce our impact. Since 2021 we have been fully carbon neutral, and we also have one of the largest solar arrays in the North-East of England on our warehouse, generating clean energy. Due to our yearly donation of 2.5% of our net profit to our Foundation, our overarching aim is to be financially successful, but to achieve this in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

If this sounds like the kind of business you\xe2\x80\x99d like to work for, we\xe2\x80\x99d love to hear from you - please apply today for the role of Head of Software Development.

Pavers