Digital Service Practice Lead

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients.  We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications.  We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals. 

If you are looking to take the next step in your career with an established and growing company, we’re delighted to share a newly created opportunity to join the Sword team in the role of Digital Services Practice Lead.

As the Digital Services Practice Lead, you will be responsible for leading a team of software engineers in delivering high-quality bespoke software solutions based primarily on Microsoft technology to our clients.

The Digital Services Practice Lead will work closely with our clients to understand their business needs and provide technical leadership and guidance to the team in delivering innovative solutions that deliver tangible business value for our customers.

Your primary objective will be to provide strategic direction to the team, developing and maintaining relationships with clients and leveraging industry knowledge and insight, to define and enhance relevant service offerings. The role requires a deep understanding of software development processes and associated Microsoft technologies.

• Lead a team of 7+ technical experts to deliver bespoke software solutions to clients across a range of Projects and Managed Services
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentoring to team members.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, understanding their business needs, and identifying opportunities for further collaboration.
• Leverage market and industry insight and knowledge, to best adapt and define technical offerings
• Collaborate with other practice leads to identify cross-practice opportunities and leverage existing capabilities to deliver end-to-end solutions to clients.
• Work with the sales team to develop proposals and sales strategies to win new business and grow the practice.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest software development trends, and be an evangelist for Digital Services within the business and with clients
• Ensure that all practice solutions and offerings, adhere to best practices, compliance and security standards, with repeatable and referenceable frameworks
• Build strong relationship and support efficiency of the practice and personal development of team members
• Build strong relationships with clients to become a trusted advisor and drive long-term business relationships

This is a challenging and rewarding role that offers the opportunity to work with a talented team and help our clients as they continue their Digital Transformation journey. If you have a passion for technology and enjoy leading and mentoring technical teams, we encourage you to apply for this role.

At Sword, we are proud of cultivating a respectful workplace that values the contribution of all our people, whatever their background or stage in their career.  We welcome your application should you hold the right core experience, knowledge and your application sufficiently outlines your relevant skills or transferrable skills in this area.  If you believe you're qualified, but don't "check all the boxes", please still submit an application and we will explore your experience further.

Here are the key skills and experience relevant to this role:

Proven thought leadership capabilities and ability to technically lead and motivate a team

Proven track record with leveraging market insight for validating and defining service offerings utilising Microsoft focussed software development tooling.

Experience of designing and successfully delivering solutions, including the production of proposals, SoW’s, high-level designs, RFP responses, roadmaps and strategies.

Extensive experience in either a channel, vendor or customer side hands-on technical consulting/architect and technical leadership role

Strong background of producing high quality documentation and solution artefacts.

Microsoft certifications and accreditations in Software Development orientated discipline.

• Strong understanding of software development lifecycle and methodologies such as Agile and DevOps
• Strong experience in front end and back end software development principles using relevant Microsoft focussed technologies.

• Good organisational and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication skills with abilities to coach, mentor and train
• Self-motivated and looking for a challenge.
• Naturally proactive
• Capability to grasp business and commercial complexities.
• Passionate, professional and with a “can-do” attitude at all times.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Fast learner and able to adapt to new technology and keep abreast of current industry trends and best practices.

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success.  

We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life.  In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package: 

Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth. 

Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance.  We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can. 

A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more…. 

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. 

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.