Title: Development Manager – Hands-On Full Stack PHP Developer
Level: Mid-Level
Location: Remote/Hybrid (Collaborating with an offshore team)
Reporting To: CTO
About Us
With over 40 years of industry expertise, Orbis Protect has earned its place as the leading provider of vacant property services to the social and commercial housing sector. Our innovative services and cutting-edge technology safeguard people and assets, setting us apart in a competitive market.
We now employ more than 600 people across 25 UK locations, enabling us to provide a truly local service to our customers, cutting lead times and increasing efficiency.
We are on an exciting journey to enhance our capabilities with a new AI-powered alarm handling and business process automation platform. This initiative is a key pillar of our strategy, reflecting our commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
About the Role
As a Development Manager, you will take a hands-on approach to leading the scaling and enhancement of our in-house AI-powered platform. This role combines 75% technical development with 25% leadership and management, offering a unique blend of coding, mentorship, and strategic collaboration.
You’ll work closely with the CTO, Product Innovation Director, Infrastructure Manager and Application Manager, as well as the wider business.
You’ll manage a team of experienced offshore developers (front-end, back-end, iOS, and Android developers) Additionally, you’ll play a key role in team growth, assisting in the recruitment of future onshore and offshore developers.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape a critical business project, drive innovation, and deliver value through technology.
Key Responsibilities
Development Leadership
· Lead, mentor, and support an experienced offshore team of developers, working to UK hours.
· Foster secure coding practices, including SDLC and OWASP guidelines.
· Perform code reviews to ensure adherence to quality standards and best practices.
· Work closely with the CTO to align technical strategy with business objectives, ensuring the scalability and security of the platform.
· Partner with the Product Innovation Director to refine product vision, prioritise feature development based on customer and market needs, and contribute to the product roadmap with technical feasibility insights.
· Collaborate with the Infrastructure Manager to provide DevOps support and advise on infrastructure requirements.
· Work with the Application Manager to integrate back-office systems and third-party applications (e.g., Salesforce, Workday, UIPath, Qlik, Sentinel, and Immix).
Hands on Development
· Contribute to UX and UI design concepts using tools such as Adobe XD, Moqups, and Figma.
· Write and maintain scalable, secure, and efficient code using PHP (Laravel and CodeIgniter).
· Develop and support modern JavaScript frameworks, including Node.js, Bootstrap, and Tailwind.
· Implement DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines and automation.
· Leverage APIs such as OpenAI to build and enhance AI features, with flexibility to recommend new tools and frameworks.
· Ensure compliance with ISO 27001 and GDPR where applicable.
Project and Team Management
· Use JIRA to manage tasks and align with the team’s Agile workflow.
· Plan resources effectively to meet project timelines and product roadmap goals.
· Ensure timely delivery of key milestones
· Assist in the recruitment and onboarding of new team members, both onshore and offshore.
Collaboration & Leadership
· Act as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders.
· Engage in stakeholder meetings to capture requirements and discuss progress.
· Collaborate with sales, operations, and marketing teams to align technology with business needs.
· Lead and mentor development teams, particularly in an offshore model.
· Prioritise features, plan sprints, and drive Agile development using JIRA.
· Support resource planning and hiring, particularly in scaling engineering teams.
Soft Skills & Collaboration
· Passion for technology, particularly AI, Video Analytics, Security, and Drone Technology.
· Strong problem-solving abilities with a proactive approach.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
· Strategic thinking, with the ability to align technology with business needs and drive product innovation.
Work Location and Travel Requirements
This is a home-based role with the flexibility to work remotely. However, to foster collaboration, team engagement, and alignment with business objectives, we ask that you attend in-person meetings in Manchester once a week. These sessions will focus on strategic discussions, product road mapping, and social team interaction to strengthen team cohesion.
Qualifications
· Education: Ideally, a university-level qualification in a relevant subject (e.g., Computer Science or similar) OR strong demonstrable technical knowledge and experience.
Why Join Orbis Protect?
· Exciting career opportunity whether you are looking for the next step in your career or an experienced Development Manager.
· Fast-growing company with excellent career development opportunities.
· Work in a supportive environment with opportunities to develop your skills.
· Enjoy competitive compensation and benefits.
· Be part of a collaborative team dedicated to innovation and excellence.
Application Process
To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest in the role and relevant skills/experience to recruitment@orbisprotect.com
Application Deadline
Two weeks from the job posting date.
Orbis Protect is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.