Practice Manager – Software Engineering (AI Solutions)

Our purpose

Here at Datacom, we connect people and technology in order to solve challenges, create opportunities and discover new possibilities for the communities we live in

The Nitty Gritty

Datacom is Australasia's largest homegrown technology services business of over 6500 people, from humble beginnings as a small family business, we have enjoyed healthy, organic, and sustainable growth to become a large multinational, that proudly holds on to our ‘small family business feel.

We have extensive expertise in operating data centers, providing IT services, software engineering, and application management, as well as payroll and customer service design and operations. With this comes a long list of significant clients Datacom is committed to hiring, developing, and promoting the best talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are local at heart, yet world-class in capability

At the center of our vision and values are people: our people. We are guided by what is best for our staff, our customers, and our communities.

Growing to dominate the New Zealand government and corporate IT market, we expanded into the Philippines, Malaysia, and Australia in the mid-90s and have been growing in those regions ever since.

Do you have what it takes to help us grow? This is your chance to be part of something new, getting on from the ‘ground floor’ and benefiting from all the up-side of a ‘start-up’ initiative with the security of a large multinational (and yet none of the down-side).

About the Role

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic Practice Manager with significant experience in a Professional Services environment, specifically driving growth, innovation, and commercial success within AI-driven Software Engineering. This is an exceptionally exciting opportunity within our Digital Engineering team, where you will play a pivotal role in leading and expanding our AI Software Development practice.

The demand for innovative AI solutions is exploding, with a huge influx of customers seeking to leverage the power of artificial intelligence. To remain at the forefront of this rapidly evolving landscape, we need a leader who possesses not only commercial acumen but also deep, hands-on AI technical expertise. As the Practice Manager – Software Engineering (AI), you will report to the General Manager and be instrumental in guiding and shaping our practice's future engagements. You will be responsible for building a robust business pipeline, cultivating a high-performing team, establishing strategic customer relationships, managing a multi-million-dollar budget, and most critically, leveraging your extensive AI technical background to develop, position, and sell our cutting-edge AI Software Development services. Your ability to understand, articulate, and deliver on complex AI initiatives will be key to our continued success and innovation in this critical domain.

General Responsibilities of the Role Include:

Pre-Sales & Customer Engagement:

• Assist with pre-sales activities, providing expert support to our sales and new business teams by engaging directly with customers to address their complex AI development challenges.

• Champion our AI Software Development products and services, leveraging customer relationships to generate opportunities for the broader Digital Engineering Service Line.

AI Expertise & Innovation:

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the "state of the art" in AI technologies and software development practices, using these insights to continuously evolve our local offerings.

Strategic Growth:

• Collaborate with the wider Development practice management team to define and execute a comprehensive growth strategy for the AI Software Development practice.

Customer Workshops & Value Delivery:

• Design, facilitate, and improve workshops with customers to drive value throughout the software development lifecycle and deliver tangible outcomes for projects.

Team Leadership & Mentorship:

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, mentoring Team Leads and Senior AI Developers, fostering a strong culture focused on customer-centricity, collaboration, and team growth.

Operational Management:

• Assist with workforce planning and technical hiring decisions within the AI Software Development practice, with support from your peers.

Delivery Leadership:

• Provide hands-on delivery leadership across the software development lifecycle, working closely with Datacom and customer teams, with strong support from the delivery practice.

Partner Relationships:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with relevant AI technology partners.

Consulting & Delivery:

• Occasionally perform billable work as a Lead AI Consultant, contributing to workshops or software delivery projects as required.

Commercial & Financial Management:

• Manage the commercial and financial aspects of the local AI Software Development practice.

Regional Strategy:

• Assist in setting and executing the regional strategy.

Proactive Leadership:

• Be a self-starter, driven, enthusiastic, and collaborative.

Skills & Experience:

• Management or equivalent leadership experience of technology teams, particularly in AI-driven environments.
• Proven experience managing and leading IT professionals and leaders, with a focus on AI development.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing client relationships, specifically within AI projects.
• Understanding of budgeting and time and resource constraints in AI-based projects.
• Deep understanding of the Digital Product Lifecycle and software delivery, with a strong emphasis on AI technologies.
• The ability to assess clients' needs, identify customer requirements, and align them with business outcomes using AI solutions.
• Experience leading teams to develop cohesive product designs, roadmaps, technical architecture, and estimates within the AI ecosystem.
• Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience providing thought leadership in AI Software Development with enterprise clients is a bonus.
• Demonstrated expertise in agile and product development methodologies and practices, particularly in AI environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in a variety of application design methodologies and practices for medium to large enterprises, with a focus on AI cloud-native development.
• Excellent influencing, interpersonal, and communication skills to engage senior leaders and technical specialists, and coordinate complex initiatives across multiple teams.

How To Apply

If this sounds like the role for you please apply via link below