About the job

Job summary

The Science Directorate delivers cutting edge scientific research related to use and development of the Kew Collections.

The role of Science Software Development Team Leader is based in the Kew Science department and is a key strategic and delivery role for part of the portfolio of Kew digital products.

You will report directly to the Priority Lead Digital Revolution working in a team-based environment with other service and management professionals reporting upwards to the Deputy Head of Research.

Job description

Kew has developed and deployed a considerable number of niche software based tools and applications which facilitate the workflows of the Science departments. These tools and products must be supported, maintained and transitioned away from obsolete code bases into cloud based, containerised infrastructure. They must be adequately documented, prioritisations agreed with stakeholders and resourced appropriately. This role is pivotal to this and the incumbent will be working with a mix of old and new software technologies.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need to have significant experience of working with the entire software development lifecycle, within a framework, ideally coupled with project management experience.

Person specification

As this is a line management position, and there is a significant amount of work with end users and other stakeholders, we’re looking for someone with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience of line management.

You will be expected to work mainly in Kew Gardens. The individual will lead a hybrid team of developers and analysts. As required, the individual will be expected to travel to Wakehurst for projects involving that site, or possibly elsewhere within the UK or overseas where projects are collaborative (usually accessible by public transport).

Benefits

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking “Apply for this job”.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.