Head of Research and Development

**Join Forms Express as a Head of Research and Development in Geelong, Victoria**

Forms Express is a progressive and thriving business located in Geelong. Supplying innovative electronic and printed document creation services to the government, corporate and SME sectors with a sizeable customer base throughout Australia and NZ.

Forms Express is a leading fintech company providing comprehensive revenue solutions tailored for local government clients. We specialize in streamlining financial processes, offering a full suite of services from invoicing and payment processing to customized forms and digital solutions. Our cutting-edge technology and innovative approach empower local governments to manage their revenue streams more efficiently and effectively. Now operating under the Aspire Software portfolio, Forms Express is committed to delivering exceptional service and support as we continue to lead the way in the fintech industry.

**If you are based in Geelong or looking to move to Geelong - this could be your chance**

**Here is a little window into our company**:Forms Express is a premier provider of document management solutions dedicated to serving local government clients with precision and innovation. Our expertise in customized forms and print services ensures that we meet and exceed the unique needs of our clients. Join us in delivering outstanding service and support to our valued customers.

Forms Express was acquired by Valsoft and now operates under the Aspire Software portfolio. Aspire Software, the operational arm of Valsoft Corp, operates and manages Valsoft’s global portfolio of wholly owned software companies, providing mission-critical solutions across multiple verticals. By implementing industry best practices, Aspire delivers a time-sensitive integration process, and the operation of a decentralized model has allowed it to become a hub for creating rapid growth by reinvesting in its portfolio.

**What your day will look like**:

- Lead agile development efforts, ensuring alignment with customer needs and business goals
- Serve as Scrum Master, facilitating sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives
- Collaborate with UX/UI designers to ensure an intuitive and seamless user experience
- Manage customer onboarding, ensuring a smooth and efficient process
- Create and maintain high-quality documentation throughout all stages of the project
- Work closely with onshore and offshore teams to deliver fast-paced development cycles
- Utilize Azure DevOps for planning, tracking, and collaboration
- Ensure timely delivery of project milestones, keeping stakeholders informed and engaged
- Day-to-Day Management of Development Teams
- Scrum Master and Business Analyst for Key Projects
- Solutions Architect for New Development Initiatives
- Code Review and Developer Support
- Escalation Point for System-Related Issues
- IT Project Planning, Budgeting, and Reporting
- Hosting Infrastructure Review and Cost Optimization
- Level 3 Technical Support Management
- Innovation and Product R&D
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Vendor and Third-Party Relationship Management
- Audits, Certifications, and Compliance
- Development of Technical Strategy
- Process Improvement and System Optimization
- Risk Management and Contingency Planning
- Customer Liaison for Technical Solutions
- Research and Technology Trends Analysis
- Team Growth, Training, and Development
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Contributing to the Company’s Vision and Culture

**Key Performance Indicators**:

- **Project Delivery**: 95% of projects delivered on time, within scope, and under budget
- **System Uptime**: 99.9% uptime for SaaS platforms and infrastructure
- **Cost Optimization**: Achieve 5% annual reduction in hosting and operational costs through optimized infrastructure and resource allocation
- **Code Quality**: Fewer than 5% post-release defects in code and adherence to security best practices
- **Team Productivity**: Maintain team velocity and development efficiency targets through agile metrics
- **Innovation Pipeline**: Successfully prototype and launch at least two innovative features or products annually
- **Compliance**: 100% compliance with audits, certifications, and industry standards
- **Employee Development**: Ensure 75%+ employee retention within the R&D department, with measurable improvements in team skillsets and capabilities
- **Support Resolution**: 80% of Level 3 support issues resolved within SLA timelines

**About You**:

- **At least a Bachelor’s degree or above in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field**:

- **8+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5+ years in a leadership role managing large, cross-functional development teams**:

- **Strong experience with cloud-based solutions, SaaS architecture, microservices, and security best practices**:

- **Proven experience with Agile methodologies, Scrum, and project management tools (e.g., Azure DevO