Development Manager

About Aderant

Aderant is a globally recognized software company delivering comprehensive business management solutions tailored for law firms and professional services organizations. Dedicated to advancing the legal industry's modernization, Aderant serves over 2,500 clients worldwide, including 95 of the top AmLaw 100 firms. The company fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and personal development, encouraging employees to bring their full range of ideas and passion to work.

Role Overview

We are seeking an accomplished Development Manager to lead a software engineering team focused on producing innovative SaaS offerings for legal sector clients. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to ownership of delivery outcomes, the capacity to cultivate high-performing teams, and an eagerness to enhance software development and delivery processes continuously.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure delivery success by managing sprint and quarterly plans with effective prioritization, execution, and accountability.
• Lead planning activities by refining work items, understanding dependencies, validating estimates, and setting realistic commitments.
• Facilitate team ceremonies centered on decision-making, progressing delivery, and removing obstacles rather than merely following process.
• Monitor delivery risks early and employ mitigation strategies such as scope adjustments, reprioritization, or escalation when necessary.
• Set transparent expectations and communicate progress, risks, decisions, and changes proactively to leadership.
• Maintain technical expertise to engage meaningfully in architectural discussions, challenge estimates, and assist in resolving blocking issues.
• Collaborate closely with Product Management, QA, Architects, and other Engineering teams to convert business priorities into executable plans.
• Build and nurture a high-performing team by setting clear expectations, providing ongoing coaching and feedback, recognizing achievements, and addressing performance issues promptly.
• Support the growth of team members in technical skills, ownership, and leadership capabilities.
• Promote the adoption of AI-assisted development practices to boost productivity, quality, testing, and overall team efficiency.
• Take responsibility for client-reported issues, ensuring they are effectively resolved and used as opportunities for quality improvement.
• Continuously enhance engineering processes, team effectiveness, and predictability of delivery.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven track record in a Development Manager, Engineering Manager, or similar leadership role within software engineering.
• Minimum of two years' experience delivering SaaS products commercially.
• Strong technical foundation with ability to participate in architecture, design, engineering practices, and technical decisions.
• Experience working in environments utilizing CI/CD, automated testing, cloud platforms, and Agile methodologies.
• Demonstrated capability of delivering complex software products on schedule and within commitments.
• Expertise in sprint planning, backlog grooming, estimation, dependency handling, and managing delivery risks.
• Ability to critically assess scope, estimates, and solutions collaboratively to find effective delivery paths.
• Competency in people management including coaching, performance reviews, career development, and team-building.
• Outcome-focused approach to Agile that values predictability and continuous improvement over strict process adherence.
• Strong problem-solving aptitude, sound judgement, and decisiveness amidst shifting priorities.
• Ownership mentality centered on delivery quality and client satisfaction.
• Experience collaborating with clients or client-facing teams to ensure software meets business needs.
• Interest and willingness to explore AI-enhanced software engineering to improve productivity and quality.

Work Environment and Culture

Aderant’s global teams benefit from diverse cultures and experiences, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, wellbeing, and collaboration. Employees are recognized company-wide and participate in initiatives supporting innovation and a supportive workplace.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary combined with a bonus program.
• Generous employer contributions to KiwiSaver (New Zealand retirement savings plan).
• Additional sick leave provisions and a wellness day.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements available.
• Policy allowing up to four weeks of working overseas annually (subject to conditions).
• Income protection and life insurance coverage.
• Access to financial advisory services.
• Volunteer days and regular social team activities.
• A collaborative office environment with occasional treats provided by talented colleagues.

Eligibility & Application Details

Applicants must currently hold valid working rights for New Zealand, including citizens, residents, or those with appropriate open work visas. Unfortunately, the company does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.