Head of Software Services - Studentjob.co.uk
Jobster Portsmouth, England, United Kingdom
Salary: from £90,000 plus benefits (pension 7% contribution, 25 days holiday & life insurance)
Location: Hybrid, Portsmouth
We are looking for a Head of Software Services to join our Digital business. We provide, through Sirius Digital, bespoke, robust and high‑performance software to meet and exceed user requirements. We specialise in Software Engineering, Modelling & Simulation, Robotics & Autonomous Systems, Synthetic Environments, and AI & Machine Learning (ML).
The Role
As Head of Software Services you will be accountable for the P&L of all projects delivered through software teams and help inspire teams to achieve customer focussed excellence. You will develop partnering with senior stakeholders within Sirius Digital and Sirius Analysis colleagues, enhancing collaboration, definition and understanding of services across the group. With a commercial mindset, you will be responsible for client relationship management and work externally with our clients to build the pipeline and shape services. As part of the leadership team of Sirius Digital you will work with the technical director and Head of P3MO to support Sirius Digital’s continued growth and evolving its capability in line with its strategy.
Responsibilities
* End-to-end accountability for delivering complex service contracts, ensuring our clients achieve the outcomes that matter most.
* Oversee software engineering programmes and projects, ensuring alignment with client needs and business objectives.
* Lead and own all aspects of service delivery, including contract performance and reporting.
* Lead strategic client relationships and work with Heads of Capability across the group to manage the pipeline and enhance service offerings to meet market needs.
* Report to the board on financial and operational performance and risks, ensuring delivery of business outcomes.
* Oversee the end-to-end bid process for Digital, from identifying opportunities to submitting proposals, including bid architecting and detailed proposals.
* Support all workforce planning activities as part of the Engineering management function.
About You
You will bring proven experience of leading major software engineering programmes, ideally within the defence sector. You should demonstrate strong commercial judgement, exceptional relationship‑building skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate senior stakeholders and diverse teams alike.
Key Qualifications
* Experience delivering as part of leadership team within a consultancy environment.
* Extensive experience in software engineering, with a proven track record of leading complex defence programmes and delivering high‑impact solutions.
* Track record in delivering large‑scale software engineering programmes in areas such as Autonomous Systems or Modelling and Simulation.
* Strong experience managing complex service contracts and governance.
* Proven ability to build and sustain trusted senior client relationships.
* Proven experience successfully managing complex programmes with multi‑disciplinary teams of technical experts.
* Experience leading successful bid campaigns.
* Commercial acumen with experience driving revenue, growth, and profitability.
* Leadership skills to develop and inspire teams in dynamic environments.
* Practitioner experience in a relevant sector.
* Strong communication, presentation and written skills.
* Organised and able to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
* Highly motivated professional who strives to deliver ahead of targets.
* Trusted self‑motivated individual who can perform when working as part of a team or when acting independently.
* Ability to travel to different sites across the UK.
* Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC level).
Qualifications
* APM or equivalent project management qualifications with substantial knowledge of agile project management.
* Degree‑level qualification in a relevant engineering, science, or technology discipline.
What We Offer
We offer a combination of mentoring and internal and external training opportunities, with specialist sector organisations and in‑house courses. You will have exposure to subject matter experts and additional online learning packages.
The role comes with a competitive benefits package including pension (7% company contribution), additional holiday purchase options, private health care, life assurance and electric vehicle scheme.
Other Requirements
* Candidates must have an existing right to live and work in the UK.
* Candidates will need to undergo an internal BPSS check prior to gaining site access.
* Candidates will also need to either hold a current SC clearance or be willing and eligible to undergo a Security Clearance check (SC level) upon starting their employment with the company. To gain SC clearance you will normally need at least 5 years’ UK residency.
Seniority level
Executive
Employment type
Part‑time
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Industries
Software Development
#J-18808-Ljbffr