Senior Software Developer

The main purpose of the role

The IT & Digital department is responsible for the force’s adoption and use of information and digital technology.

The department consists of three core functions as follows:

• Architecture Management (responsible for identifying and selecting the right technologies for the force)

• Delivery Management (responsible for delivering and implementing the right technologies for the force)

• Service Management (responsible for managing and maintaining all live, operational technology for the force)

The Delivery Management function is responsible for the implementation/delivery of all new and enhanced Information Technology or Digital Technology solutions in line with Force requirements, ensuring that, for all Force Programmes and Projects, WMP delivers:

• Fit-for-purpose technology

• At an appropriate cost 

• Within agreed timescales

• With an acceptable level of risk

This will involve the control and management of both internal and external resources as new technology can be built and delivered either internally or by a third party supplier. This function interfaces directly with Business Transformation to ensure the successful delivery of the technical aspects of all force projects and programmes. This function governs and manages development and test environments.

The Development team manages, and has responsibility for the following key areas:

• Meeting the Force requirements for new / enhanced IT capabilities.

• Developing software and hardware solutions across a variety of platforms including web applications and mobile apps.

• Ensuring that technology developed internally and externally meets force requirements.

• Ensuring that new solutions have appropriate and effective low-level designs that adhere to the force’s architectural and design principles.

• Ensuring IT developments are secure by design by working closely with other teams within the IT and Digital department. 

• Having the ability to use a number of development process techniques such as; Agile and Waterfall.

• Providing effective management of ‘development’ and ‘test’ environments.

Reporting to the Development Manager, the role of the Senior Software Developer is to both lead and participate in the development of software solutions. The post-holder is responsible for the low-level design and development of software solutions and providing specialist software development expertise.  The post-holder will be expected to participate in meetings, engage with knowledge-sharing sessions and other activities as required to fully participate in the development team’s activities, and supervise the work of Software Developers as necessary to support in delivery against objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with the production of low-level software designs for IT solutions in line with force requirements.
• Supervise the work of others to facilitate product development.
• Assist with the software development for new IT solutions in line with low-level designs and force requirements.
• Provide specialist software development expertise in one or more of the following areas – web development, mobile app development
• Provide technical guidance and advice to technical delivery projects on all software matters from design to delivery.
• Provide specialist information and/or advice to assist and influence senior colleagues/customers to make software choices.
• Provide and disseminate specialist software advice on issues relating to the use of ‘dev’ and ‘test’ environments.
• Advise projects on matters relating to the maintenance and development of policy, systems and procedures, together with the efficient and effective use of physical resources.
• Provide specialist software skills and knowledge to ensure the security and integrity of the Force’s software used in the ‘dev’ and ‘test; environments is maintained to the required standards.
• Work closely with teams within Service Management to transition new services into the ‘live’ environment, ensuring that they are provided with end-to-end support documentation for all software facets.
• Assist with the monitoring and management of the performance of third-party suppliers.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of software development languages, tools and techniques.
• Manage incidents and service requests to meet the needs of the force and make best use of the resources available.
• Resolve complex problems and issues within the team – liaising with different departments or third-party suppliers where necessary.
• Assess and recommend software products.
• Provide reports and comprehensive working papers including making recommendations for improvements or amendments to systems.

Staff management responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to supervise the work of others and lead the development of software products.

Budgetary responsibilities

• Raise issues with the relevant budget (e.g. as part of a project) to the appropriate level.

• Assist with the identification of full-lifecycle costs for new or changed IT services.

Experience

Must demonstrate proven experience and ability to:

• Supervise the work of others and lead the development of software solutions.

• Develop, maintain and integrate a variety of software solutions.

• Translate business requirements into software designs.

• Develop the knowledge and skills of team members.

• Create and maintain technical documentation to high standards.

• Research new and emerging software development tools and techniques.

• Directly communicate with senior managers from a customer service perspective using written and oral methods.

• Participate in, and lead, meetings.

• Maintain standards for security of information.

Knowledge

• An extensive knowledge of software development.
• An extensive knowledge of the software development methodology.
• Knowledge of national standards and legislation regarding infrastructure technology.
• A good understanding of ITIL, in particular Change and Release Management.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety issues relevant to the post.

• Knowledge of internal financial processes.

Skills

• Comprehensive skills in the development of software.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently interact and empathise with all levels of staff.

• Good presentation skills.

• Flexibility to use a variety of supporting technologies and to be innovative.

• The ability to work under pressure and be capable of balancing competing demands and priorities.

• The ability to learn and adapt.

• Proven track record in understanding the need of customers/users.

• Good communication skills in order to work effectively throughout the organisation and with external contractors and suppliers.

• An understanding of the ITIL processes as they apply to the team and to the department.

• Ability to produce management reports, policy documents and comprehensive working papers including recommendations and implementation documents.

Technologies

• Essential

  • Internet or intranet-facing C# .NET Core web sites with MVC or Razor Pages

  • HTML, CSS, Bootstrap

  • JavaScript and TypeScript

  • REST API development using C# .NET

  • SQL Server

  • Visual Studio

     

• Highly Desirable

  • Vue

  • Progressive Web Apps

  • Azure DevOps Server (TFS), including git

  • Deployment to load balanced and mirrored cloud infrastructure

  • Automated build, deployment, performance and test processes

  • Angular, Ionic and Cordova

Attitude

• Positive and optimistic outlook.
• Motivated to see the Force succeed.
• Open and honest.
• Problem solver.
• Able to delegate where appropriate and target that delegation to develop other team members.
• A strong team player with a ‘can do’ attitude.

• Self-motivated with the ability to multitask and work well under pressure.

Special Circumstances

• The post holder must be able to work from alternate locations in line with business need.

• Flexibility is required where rota management is required and/or extended hours are proposed. It is suggested that this role requires a flexibility of approach to working hours.

• The post holder may be required to provide ‘out of hours’ availability for which the appropriate allowance will be paid.

• The post holder may be expected to work outside normal working hours.

Interview/Assessment: Will take place w/c 18th August 2025
Travel required: Occasionally

For further information please contact:- John Gillam. Email address john.gillam@westmidlands.police.uk

Benefit Statement

By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:

• Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.

• Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.

• Discounts across travel, parking, daily costs of living and leisure activities.

• A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support, free eye tests and flu jabs.

Vetting

Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and SC scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical

Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks, which may include a drugs test.

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions.  As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.  

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

"Diversity and Inclusion Vision:  Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities"