Deputy Director, Software Engineering

Kaplan Higher Education Academy (Kaplan) is part of Kaplan Inc., one of the world's most diverse education providers and the largest subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company (NYSE:GHC).

Kaplan has welcomed students from over 55 countries and regions. As a Lifelong Integrated Learning Partner, we offer over 450 academic and professional certification programme options* for higher learning and skills development, providing opportunities for individuals to always stay relevant. To date, these opportunities have benefitted more than 100,000 graduates^.

We have a diverse team of individuals dedicated to our mission to help individuals achieve their educational and career goals, and build futures, one success story at a time. Our core values Opportunity, Knowledge, Support, Integrity and Results help guide the way we work.

At Kaplan, our employees are our most valuable assets, and everyone's contribution is integral to our success. We have been recognised by The Straits Times, for the second successive year, as being one of Singapore's Best Employers for 2023. This large-scale and comprehensive study assessed the attractiveness of organisations in Singapore based on an independent employee survey.

We strive to continue providing a professional, positive and stimulating work enviroment with plenty of room for initiatives, so that our employees can thrive with us. If you are seeking opportunities for growth, we welcome you to write to us!

• Based on full-time and part-time study modes across programmes offered at Kaplan.

^Total Diploma and Degree graduates from Kaplan from 2007 to 2023.

THE ROLE: Deputy Director, Software Engineering

The Deputy Director of Software Engineering at Kaplan Singapore will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of software solutions that support the institution's operations and student experience. The role includes managing in-house development teams and vendor partnerships, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and efficient systems. The Deputy Director will drive technical strategy, improve system architecture, and align software initiatives with business goals. This position requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and the ability to balance innovation with operational efficiency.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

Leadership, Strategy, and IT Portfolio Management

• Report key project updates, development roadmaps, and performance metrics to the IT Director
• Track and manage the development work plan, ensuring alignment with business priorities and strategic goals.
• Oversee the Software Engineering portfolio, providing visibility into ongoing and upcoming initiatives, resource allocation, and project risks.
• Represent the Engineering team in cross-functional KI-wide collaborations, meetings, and strategic discussions.
• Work closely with leadership to align technology initiatives with organizational objectives and long-term growth plans.

Project Scoping

• Collaborate with business systems teams and product owners to define project scope, gather high-level requirements, and refine project details.
• Prioritize requirements to align with the needs of project stakeholders.

Technology, Architecture, and Development Standards

• Lead the Software Engineering teams, including Enterprise, EduTech, Financial Systems, Software Architecture, and DevOps units.
• Guide technical architectural design and technology decisions for IT solutions, ensuring they align with all stages of the student journey and technical layers.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and software development best practices to uphold high standards.

Project Execution and Process

• Oversee development processes, ensuring alignment with project timelines and objectives.
• Support development teams by proactively removing blockers and addressing challenges that affect team effectiveness.
• Set and maintain the "Definition of Done" standard, ensuring consistent quality and completion criteria across teams.
• Track and report on team performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.

Managing Relationships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with business systems teams and stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates on development progress, ensuring clear visibility into team activities.
• Manage vendor partnerships to ensure successful product development and long-term product maintenance.

Automated Testing

• Coordinate with business systems and users to ensure comprehensive quality assurance processes are followed.
• Lead initiatives to improve automated testing coverage and effectiveness.

Release & Code Management & Deployment

• Work closely with the DevOps team and Solution Architects to optimize automated deployment procedures.
• Prepare and distribute technical release notes to relevant stakeholders.

Team Staffing and Administrative Functions

• Recruit, mentor, and develop team members to maximize performance and technical expertise, aligning with organizational goals.
• Provide performance feedback and conduct evaluations for team members.
• Participate in the budget preparation process.

• Bachelor's degree in information technology (Information Systems, Computer Science or a related field), or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience as Development Manager or similar leadership role.
• Proficiency with agile principles, tools, and methodologies.
• Experience with Cloud Computing and Cloud Environments.
• Strong initiative, strategic mindset, and leadership abilities.
• Proven track record of successfully managing projects, development teams, and IT portfolios.
• Experience in tracking and reporting KPIs, project roadmaps, and IT initiatives at the executive level.
• Highly organized, capable of balancing individual tasks with team and business needs.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Prior experience in the higher education industry is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, multi-functional projects.

• Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
• Work Arrangements: Hybrid (Blend of in-office and remote work)
• Location: Wilkie Edge