Group Application Development Manager

At DFS Group, we’re proud to help people create spaces they love to live in. We’re home to DFS, Sofology, and The Sofa Delivery Company: three brands with their own personalities, brought together by a shared mission.

Behind our brands is a passionate Group team. From Finance and Technology to People, Marketing and Supply Chain, our Group functions power everything we do. They create the foundations that allow our brands to thrive, innovate and grow.

Whether you’re supporting our brands or serving our customers, the mindset that connects us means we expect more of ourselves and each other. It means every customer is our favourite, every voice is valued, and every interaction is one we’re proud of.

When you’re part of a community that shares your way of thinking, the wins feel bigger. The effort feels worth it. It’s a place where people stay because they feel valued, and find room to grow because they’re challenged.

As Group Application Development Manager, you'll play a key role in leading our Application Development team, ensuring we deliver high-quality software solutions that support the needs of DFS Group. You'll be responsible for managing the development function, overseeing the delivery of projects, system enhancements, bug fixes and ongoing business-as-usual requests, while ensuring robust processes, governance and best practices are followed.

You’ll act as the key link between the business and the Software Development team, helping to shape priorities, manage demand and identify opportunities to improve the way we work. With a focus on leadership, collaboration and continuous improvement, you’ll coach and develop a talented team, drive efficiencies, monitor performance and contribute to the wider Application Development & Test strategy to help deliver technology solutions that make a real difference across the Group.

• Leading and developing the Group Software Development team, providing coaching, support and direction to build a high-performing function.
• Delivering the Application Development & Test roadmap, overseeing projects, enhancements, bug fixes and BAU requests to agreed quality standards and timescales.
• Acting as the key point of contact for Software Development across DFS Group, managing demand, priorities and stakeholder relationships.
• Managing backlogs, sprints, workload planning and resource capacity to support effective delivery.
• Driving continuous improvement by simplifying processes, standardising ways of working and improving team efficiency.
• Ensuring software development policies, procedures and standards align with industry best practice, security requirements and governance.
• Establishing KPIs and reporting to monitor performance, delivery, capacity and risks.
• Managing third-party relationships and supporting effective service delivery.
• Coaching and developing the team through training, succession planning and cross-skilling to build capability and resilience.
• Creating a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement across the function.

• Proven experience leading and developing teams within a Software Development or IT environment, ideally within a retail organisation.
• 3–5 years’ management experience, with the ability to build high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring and clear direction.
• Strong understanding of software delivery, workflow management, prioritisation and managing competing demands based on risk, impact and urgency.
• Experience managing budgets, costs, resources and supplier relationships within an IT environment.
• Experience of managing risk, workloads and operational challenges through structured processes and frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels and build trusted relationships across the business.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to take ownership of issues, resolve complex problems and make timely decisions.
• Experience driving continuous improvement and delivering high-quality customer-focused services against agreed measures.
• The ability to manage challenging situations,…