Software Development Manager - Sonnox

Based: Finstock, Oxfordshire
Term: Permanent, Full time
Salary: Depending on experience + benefits

Sonnox is an established audio plugin and software company based in rural Oxfordshire. Since 2007, we've continued to obsess over creating the best, most innovative products to supplement and enhance Digital Audio Workstations, such as Logic, Ableton, ProTools, Studio One and Cubase.

Our products are used by Grammy-winning professionals and hobbyists alike, from the most prestigious recording studios, film production houses, games manufacturers and global broadcasters to music producers, engineers, and mastering facilities.

The Role:

We're looking for a Software Development Manager to lead and co-ordinate our team of 8 Developers, Programmers and Test Engineers. Our engineers are embedded into different agile teams working on a variety of projects alongside QA and product owners. 

The teams focus on various value streams; predominantly audio plug-ins, but also internal tools and support for the wider Group. 

You will be providing leadership and coaching to support team development, meet the growing needs of the business and nurture a shared engineering culture. 

You will work closely with our Tech Leads to communicate strategy and create a sense of unity and direction. 

You will be organising workflows, development priorities and resources for the teams; including holding regular progress meetings and sprints.

You will report and be responsible to the Sonnox management team; providing progress, ambition and financial feedback to that team for onward reporting to the Focusrite Group.

Duties:

• Energise the team, fostering a sense of belonging, fun and creativity
• Monitor the development projects for progress and resource management
• Hold regular 1:1s with individual team members
• Conduct performance reviews
• Provide feedback with coaching to help our people grow and reach their potential
• Enable others to make technical choices by facilitating the exchange of ideas
• Ensure we have the right skillset in the team, shaping our hiring best practices to attract the best talent
• Support and improve the onboarding of new engineers into the team
• Source and manage contractors and consultants
• Get involved with diversity projects to help build an inclusive culture
• Champion knowledge-sharing programmes across Agile teams, such as product demonstrations, lunch-and-learns, hack days and tech events
• Follow the work of other agile teams and look for opportunities to adopt common practices and technologies
• Ensure the team is equipped to achieve their goals, through training and equipment
• Introduce and monitor metrics to help with decision making 

 Skills and experience required:

• You have exceptional communication skills
• You are able to articulate complex problems and situations to a range of audiences.
• You have several years of experience in a leadership position
• You have a broad knowledge of the C++ language and ecosystem
• You have experience managing or mentoring teams using Agile and DevOps best practices, in a culture of psychological safety
• You have proven leadership skills and evidence of engagement with relevant communities. You take a human-centric approach, showing kindness and compassion
• You have a passion for helping others to achieve ambitious goals 

About Us

Focusrite plc is a global music and audio group that develops and markets music technology products. Used by audio professionals and amateur musicians alike, our solutions facilitate the high-quality production of recorded and live sound. Our audio technology brands stand together, seeking to enrich lives through music by removing barriers to creativity – ‘we make music easy to make’.

The Focusrite Group trades under thirteen established and rapidly growing brands: Focusrite, Focusrite Pro, Novation, ADAM Audio, Sequential, Oberheim, Martin Audio, Optimal Audio, Ampify Music, Linea Research, Sonnox, OutBoard and TiMax. With a high-quality reputation and a rich heritage spanning decades, its brands are category leaders in the music-making industry.

Music technology is an enriching space to work in and we enjoy a Group-wide open-door culture which encourages innovation. This culture, combined with a passion for the inspirational solutions we create, has led to the group winning numerous accolades, including six Queen's Awards, the AIM Company of the Year Award 2021 and regular appearances in 'The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For’.

The Focusrite Group is dedicated to building a great place to work and as an equal opportunity employer we are committed to Diversity and Inclusion. The group mission is to cultivate an equitable culture, internally and externally, where all people feel they are welcome, safe and positively represented, because at Focusrite they truly are. Equally, we recognise the major impact that climate change is having on our world and work every day towards being industry leaders in a carbon neutral future.

Benefits:

• 10% personal development time
• Pension and lifestyle benefits
• Small company atmosphere with the support of a large group
• Beautiful and peaceful location in Finstock, Oxfordshire