Development Manager

About SVA Consulting

SVA Consulting is dedicated to empowering businesses with innovative technology solutions. We collaborate with clients to understand their unique challenges and deliver customized software solutions that drive efficiency and growth. Our consultants sit at the intersection of business and technology, developing skills across industries and finding their passion and perfect fit. We provide continuous learning through client-facing interactions and help clients transform business transactions into the building blocks of managing corporate performance.

Job Details

SVA Consulting is seeking a motivated and experienced Development Manager to lead and optimize the software development lifecycle within our Business Applications Delivery team. This role is critical in ensuring that our development processes are efficient, scalable, and aligned with industry best practices. Additionally, this position will provide formal and informal leadership to a team of software developers, business analysts, and quality assurance professionals, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

Team Coordination

• While not initially responsible for formal team management, this role will be heavily focused on the team’s success. This includes fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning within the team.
• In conjunction with other leaders, this role will serve as a key escalation point for technical and process-related challenges, ensuring timely resolution.
• Partner with senior leadership to advocate for and drive employee engagement, retention, and professional development initiatives.

SDLC Governance & Best Practices

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve SDLC processes to enhance project efficiency and quality.
• Ensure the team’s compliance with security, regulatory, and quality standards throughout the development lifecycle, including internal and external products.
• Determine best approach, implement, and manage Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid methodologies based on project needs.
• In consultation with other leaders, establish DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and automation strategies to improve deployment efficiency.

Project & Process Management

• Oversee the execution of development projects, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.
• Collaborate with business analysts, developers, QA teams, and project managers to remove roadblocks and optimize workflows.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, templates, and SDLC workflows to support team operations.
• Facilitate retrospectives and post-mortems to identify lessons learned and drive ongoing improvements.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a primary liaison between technical teams and internal/external stakeholders, ensuring alignment of development efforts with business objectives.
• Work closely with senior leadership to define and execute technology strategies.
• Provide insights and recommendations on resource planning, skill development, and technology investments.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• 7 years of experience in software development lifecycle management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role  required. 
• Strong understanding of SDLC methodologies including Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid approaches.
• Experience managing and mentoring cross-functional teams, including developers, analysts, and QA professionals.
• Proven ability to drive process improvements and optimize development workflows.
• Experience with DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and cloud-based deployments.
• Proficiency in project management tools such as Azure DevOps, Jira, or equivalent.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

Preferred

• Experience in a consulting or professional services environment.
•  Familiarity with enterprise business applications (ERP, CRM, or custom solutions).
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance frameworks relevant to software development.
• Certifications such as PMP, CSM, ITIL, SAFe, or similar are a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Flexible time off.
• 401k Matching.
• Dental, Health, Vision, and FSA.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA).
• Candidates local to the Madison, WI; Brookfield, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Scottsdale, AZ for hybrid or in-office work opportunities preferred.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• A collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Personalized development opportunities.

SVA Consulting is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Begin a long-term relationship with a company where motivation drives advancement. We invite you to explore employment opportunities with us and see how you can have an exciting and enjoyable career! SVA You. Together, We Serve. People. Better.