Technical Lead

This Technical Lead post sits in the Product Centre at NHS Blood and Transplant, which runs digital services supporting organ and tissue donation and transplantation. The role leads the development team leads, sets digital standards and strategy, and runs research into new technology with the Architecture team. It is hybrid, mixing home working with NHSBT centre-based work, and includes on-call rota cover and overnight travel when needed. Fit depends on Masters-level study or equivalent experience and extensive .NET and cloud development.

What the job involves

• Lead the development team leads and act as the main escalation point for technical issues
• Set and drive the technical product strategy across the organisation, including long-term testing strategy
• Make technical and technology decisions for complex, high-risk, high-profile digital products and services
• Define and implement digital development standards and strategies
• Structure the Product Centre team with the right expertise, manage internal recruitment and use of external consultancies
• Direct, co-ordinate and motivate developers, setting the framework for world-class digital services
• Work with Delivery, Product and Service Managers to estimate and plan sprints and projects
• Design, develop, test, deploy, manage, maintain and support digital services, application software and database services across NHSBT
• Start and run a research and development programme on the latest technology and best practice
• Manage suppliers and deputise for the Head of Product Centre when required
• Take part in on-call rotas and cover operational emergencies
• Travel and spend time away from base, including irregular hours and overnight stays with prior notice

What’s required

Qualifications

• MSc in Computer Science or a related discipline, or significant industrial experience equivalent to Masters level
• Extensive training in software development tools, methodologies and database technologies (Oracle or SQL Server)

Experience

• Extensive knowledge and experience of designing, developing, managing and maintaining information systems across an organisation
• Advanced knowledge and substantial proven experience in software development across most of the technologies listed
• Proven resource management experience
• Experience of change management

Skills & knowledge

• C#, .NET Framework 6.0+ (ASP.NET/MVC, .NET Core) and Visual Studio 2019+
• HTML, JavaScript, jQuery, progressive web app development, XML, XSD and JSON
• Oracle or SQL Server databases
• Network architecture and protocols such as SNMP, HTTP, SOAP and SOA web services
• Agile, Lean and traditional methodologies, OOAD and UML, and SOLID design principles
• Testing strategies and tools, including MS Test, NUnit, TestRail and Selenium

Other

• Knowledge of ITIL best practice
• Experience with MS Azure and other cloud services, such as OCI

What’s offered

• Hybrid working arrangements
• Flexible working where the role allows
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years, pro rata for part-time
• NHS Pension Scheme, a defined benefit scheme
• Thrive learning and development programme, open to all NHSBT staff
• Occupational health, employee assistance programme and wellbeing resources
• Tailored workplace adjustments where possible