Manager, Application Development

Do you like working with passionate people trying to find new and innovative solutions to tomorrow's challenges? If so, then joining the Technology Development team at EducationPlannerBC is the role for you. We work with all the public post secondary institutions in BC, along with similar organizations across the country, to make the post secondary journey easier for students, by identifying challenges or opportunities, and designing and building innovative solutions.

This position is based in Victoria, BC.

About EducationPlannerBC

EducationPlannerBC is B.C.'s provincial application and data exchange hub designed to provide improved access to post-secondary education in B.C. by engaging and informing applicants and their supporters throughout their post-secondary research, planning and application process. EducationPlannerBC works to proactively innovate for our applicants, public post-secondary institutions and government partners.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), the Manager, Application Development is responsible for the day-to-day management of the software development team to deliver quality products with detailed documentation, and to mentor developers. The Manager, Application Development is an experienced software developer and leader with excellent technical skills and a customer-service focus. The position will lead a dedicated team to achieve objectives, while collaborating with others when leading project teams. This role is responsible for overseeing the activities of the software development team, supporting the project teams to deliver great software, and collaborating with the CTO to help define the overall software architecture. The position leads technical code reviews, provides technical direction, conducts 1 to 1's and mentors developers, and builds software on occasion.

Key Accountabilities & Time Allocation

The following provides an approximate allocation of time for key accountabilities and a representative list of duties. From time to time, this position will be expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities as necessitated by its evolving position within the organization or the overall business objectives of the organization.

Team Management and Support (40%)

- Perform task management for team members, and work to identify key metrics for software development and develop strategies for improvement

- Review the work of team members to ensure it meets the stated objectives and is aligned to EPBC and industry standards

- Troubleshoot, and problem solve technical issues with other members of the team

- Ensure that all team members are following established processes and standards

- Provide guidance and coaching to team members to enhance their skills, recognize their performance, and support quality work

- Participate in the hiring process for all development staff

Project Team Support (25%)

- Work with developers, project managers, and product owners to break down a project into deliverable chunks of work, following an agile software development process

- Ensure that developers are working to optimize efficiency and achieve optimal performance

- Collaborate with project managers, product owners, business owners, and quality assurance to delivery high quality, successful products

- Establish standards for projects and the development team

Software Architecture (20%)

- Work with the CTO to set an overall software architecture

- Ensure that all developers and projects align with the software architecture

- Investigate new technologies and architectural approaches that could be implemented by EPBC

- Provide technical direction to software development teams when required

- Establish and maintain standards around ensuring that security is fully considered in all software that is delivered

Software Development (15%)

- Write and review API software, using Go and Java

- Write and review web-based UI software, based on React

- Review business requirements and translate into application code

- Write unit tests

- Troubleshoot any technical issues that arise

- Provide documentation for any software developed

Competency Requirements

- Ability to provide team members with guidance and constructive feedback to work-related questions and performance

- Ability to coordinate, assign, and review workloads of self and others

- Proven organizational skills and the ability to efficiently manage multiple projects and tasks with competing deadlines

- Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to determine root causes and provide recommendations to management, staff and stakeholders

- Ability to collaborate across the organization, seeking to understand the interests of others, and support the collective mandate of EPBC

- Ability to build and foster mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders

- Ability to communicate in both technical and non-technical terms and present information to non-expert audiences

- A focus on providing exceptional client service to all EPBC staff and external stakeholders

- Ability to translate technical analysis of information and concepts into workable solutions

- Ability to be flexible and adaptable, adjusting to occasional shifts in workload and task priorities

Education, Knowledge and Experience

- Bachelor's degree, or vocational or technical school degree or an acceptable combination of education, training, and 8+ years experience

- Demonstrated experience managing a team of software developers, and achieving results

- Demonstrated experience delivering software using an Agile development approach

- Demonstrated experience designing and building complex, highly scalable web-based applications, based on a microservices architecture

- Understanding of the BC post-secondary system or government environment is desirable

Supervisory Responsibilities

Responsible for hiring and setting teamwork standards, along with providing technical oversight, review, and guidance to other employees' work. This position determines work priority and schedule, provides coaching and guidance, and delivers performance reviews, to support the skill development of employees.

Interpersonal Relations

The key stakeholders and team members this role interact with include:

- Internal stakeholders - All Members of the organization, SFU

- External stakeholders - PSIs, Vendors, SFU, Governance Committees, BC Government Ministries, Provincial and National Hubs (e.g. OCAS, OUAC, APAS), PSI organizations (e.g. BCRA, WARUCC), Sector Agencies (e.g. BCCAT, BCcampus), Industry Partners (e.g. PESC, GDN)

Decision Making Authority

Decisions generally have a major impact on the operational aspects of the technology team and may influence the larger overall business strategy. Through the collaborative nature of EPBC, decisions may also impact the workflow or reputation of other departments and the organization. In some instances, decisions may impact stakeholders, precedents, and procedures.

Working Conditions

This position is expected to have the normal working conditions expected of a professional office role. EPBC is currently offering the option for a hybrid work environment, with a combination of remote and in-office work.

Additional working conditions include:

- Working evenings and/or weekends every month in addition to the normal workweek may be required to meet project deadlines

- Possible eye strain from the constant viewing of electronic displays (i.e. computer monitors)

- Occasional travel may be required

Posting Information

Closing Date: This posting will remain open until the position is filled

Pay Range: $115,000 - $130,000 annually, commensurate with on experience

This is a full-time position based in Victoria. EducationPlannerBC offers a hybrid working arrangement, which involves working in the office a minimum of 2 days per week and would require any candidates currently based outside of Victoria, BC, to relocate to Victoria, BC, if they were selected as the successful candidate.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, although only those eligible to work in Canada, at the time of application submission, will be considered.