Department Head Water Operations Software

Are you able to connect people and technology, to lead software development teams successfully through an Agile change process, and to share your passion for computational sciences? Start a new chapter in your career at Deltares and contribute to solving global water challenges and missions.

As Department Head of Water Operations Software you increase Deltares’ impact with computational sciences, making our digital knowledge facilities futureproof.

What you can expect as department head?

As head of the department, you will lead a team of 15 well educated professionals in software engineering, working on advancing the Delft-FEWS platform. This platform runs all over the world and makes it possible to provide timely warnings in the event of flooding and long-term droughts.

Recent projects that Deltares is proud of include establishing an operational control system for the Dutch Water Authorities, implementing an impact forecasting proof-of-concept for the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia, incorporating new nowcasting technology into forecasting systems and advancing national operational systems in collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat.

Your main responsibility is to ensure that the team can continue to develop and perform optimally. With not only a happy team as result but that the product line of Delft- FEWS keeps advancing to help solving global water challenges. Furthermore, the department is also eagerly working on a change towards agile and product-oriented working. With the help of Product managers, Product Owner and Scrum Master, you’ll lead the department and employees through this change.

Your main responsibilities

• You facilitate the department in its continuous development, stimulating personal growth both professionally and in terms of soft skills. This means guiding your team members to work as a team, optimally using the team’s diversity, and challenging your team members to further grow in the Agile way of working.
• You give substance to the mission-driven work of Deltares in cooperation with product managers. Coach the team to be proactive in advising colleagues and clients on how to best contribute to Deltares' research and impact. You and your team actively connect to Deltares operational water management and early warning research and market projects.
• You will facilitate and coach your team to thrive for professional development and excellence in the field of computational sciences and software development. As a result, together with the team you will formulate and realise the knowledge ambition of the department, contributing to the mission driven work and co-creation abilities of Deltares.

As a member of the management team of Deltares Software Centre (DSC), you’ll contribute to the operations, knowledge sharing and strategy development within the unit, and hence the broader context of Deltares. Once settled, we expect you to take on at least one large strategic management assignment in the DSC management team, next to your role as department head.

What does Deltares expect from you?

• You are an inspiring and coaching manager with a MSc degree (or higher) who connects employees, recognizes talents and stimulates potential. You have successfully led highly educated professionals in complex Agile software development. Preferably Scrum and SAFe.
• We ask at least 5 years of work experience in a managerial position. It is big plus if you have change management experience.
• We find it important that you can level with the team. Therefor we ask working experience in the field of computational sciences, such as (scientific) software engineering or data sciences, including software quality and cyber security.
• As a department head your communication skills need to be great. You are sympathetic and a good listener, candid in your feedback without judging. You are comfortable to conduct both coaching conversations and performance reviews in both Dutch and English.
• You have an eye for stakeholders and stakeholder interests, and you operate smoothly across organizational boundaries.
• You have affinity with research, and are interested in the domain of Water operations, forecasting and early warning.

What we offer

• An informal working environment;
• Warm welcome, open atmosphere and good team spirit in the department and in our unit management team;
• Our Campus in Delft contains unique facilities such as the Delta Flume and our iD-lab, an interactive data research laboratory;
• A diverse and inclusive working environment.

Additional terms of employment:

• Deltares offers a contract for 12 months with the intention of a contract for an indefinite period of time. Salary will be based on your experience with a maximum of € 8.940,- gross per month based on 40 hours per week.
• 34 vacation days based on 40 hours per week, ABP pension, vitality budget, mobility budget and a compensation for healthcare expenses.
• Excellent training opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• Deltares has an open, inclusive and collaborative culture.
• Here you can find more information about our attractive terms of employment.

Are you interested and do your qualities fit the job profile? Then apply by uploading your CV and cover letter. The deadline is June 25, 2024. Interviews will take place in the week of July 1st or July 8th 2024.

For more information please contact Brian de Bruin, HR Recruitment Officer (+31 (0) 88-335 84 38).