"Director of Software Engineering"

Job Description:

Ratonga Matihiko | Digital Services

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• Permanent position
• Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

As Director of Software Engineering, you'll lead a highly skilled team responsible for our software and quality engineering practices, as well as the delivery of integration services across the University. With a mix of in-house developed applications and evolving cloud-based systems, this is a key opportunity to drive innovation and influence the University of Canterbury's (UC) digital direction. You'll provide strategic guidance to the Chief Digital & Technology Officer and set the vision for how we design, build and integrate systems that support the success of our staff, students, and wider community. This role is all about championing collaboration, lifting practice maturity, and making a real impact across the institution.

Mōu | Who You Are

You're a strategic and values-led leader with in-depth expertise in software engineering and delivery, ideally with at least 12 years' experience in software development and/or testing of complex, user experience-focused systems and a minimum of 7 years in senior management across software engineering, product delivery, or quality management.

You bring a proven ability to lead high-performing teams, shape modern development practices, and align digital initiatives with organisational goals. Collaborative and future-focused, you coach for growth, champion quality, and thrive in complex, fast-evolving environments. Your clear communication and ability to influence across the organisation make you a trusted voice in driving digital transformation.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Proven ability to lead and engage technical teams to deliver high-quality outcomes
• Strong technical background, including experience with:
  • Public cloud digital solution delivery
  • Full-stack web development using contemporary tools
  • Data architecture and integration/API design
  • Agile and lean software delivery methodologies
  • Design tools and software design patterns
• A collaborative, team-focused leadership style that fosters inclusion and continuous improvement
• A strong alignment with UC's values.

You will hold a relevant Level 7 degree in Computer Science or a related technology field (postgraduate or other relevant qualifications desirable).

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

Building world-class digital capability is crucial to the University of Canterbury's ongoing success. Digital Services is a large team, striving to provide a modern dynamic foundation from which the University (UC) can explore new business models and ways of working. Digital will transform how we work, behave, and the expectations of the communities we service.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

Ngā Uara | Our Values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga guide our decisions and behaviour and provide a roadmap for how we do things at UC, affirming our commitment to pastoral care and support for our ākonga and staff. They challenge and inspire us to be the best we can, and make UC a great place to work and study. For more info on Ngā Uara | Our Values visit us here.

We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.

We offer a range of fantastic benefits including flexible work practices, study opportunities and generous superannuation and leave provisions. For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc. For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 26 August 2025 (midnight, NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.

Note: we will not consider unsolicited applications or contact from recruitment agencies for this vacancy.