Head of Open Source Software Consulting Team (Remote/Anywhere)

This role will oversee the people and operational management of the Open Source Software consulting team as we continue to hire and expand our team of Open Source Software consultants. This role requires someone with strong interpersonal skills who can engage with all other stakeholders in the business (Sales, Business Strategy Leads, Project Managers, Account Managers, Marketing, People Operations, Finance) and form quick and effective relationships with each.

Collabora is an Open Source Software consultancy specializing in bringing companies and the Open Source Software communities together. We combine years of Open Source Software leadership with an understanding of the challenges that businesses, non-profits and governments face.

Collabora brings deep technical expertise in system integration & architecture, graphics, XR, multimedia, web engines and communications to a number of market verticals, including mobile, IVI / automotive, set top box / smart TV and a range of other specialized embedded applications.

Collabora has the unique business model of enabling enterprises to leverage Open Source Software in their solutions. Having worked with notable industry leading companies in the automotive, aerospace and handset mobile verticals amongst many others, Collabora has established a broad customer portfolio.

Role Overview (accountability/responsibility):

Strategic Planning:

• Work with other functions (Sales, Business Strategy Leads, Delivery, Finance and People Operations) in Collabora to predict and plan the team members’ profiles (number and skills) required to deliver clients projects
• Participate in strategic planning sessions and budgeting processes to support the team’s growth and performance

Project Allocation:

• Work with the Operations Manager and rest of the organization to:
• Assign suitable Open Source Software consultants to on-going projects while soft-booking others for up-coming projects
• Assist Project Managers and Business Strategy Leads with Open Source Software consultant selection by matching their skills to projects
• Maintain a detailed and centralized team allocation plan to facilitate planning
• Resolve day to day conflicts based on commercial priorities
• Drive and maintain average utilization targets to deliver set business goals

Maintain a suitable pool of Open Source Software consultants to meet the needs of Collabora and ensure that Collabora has the right mix of skills in the right proportions:

• Recruit, outsource, contract, coordinate to meet strategic plan needs
• Carry out interviews/screenings of future Open Source Software consultants
• Headhunt and source candidates which would otherwise be out of reach
• Build an ecosystem of partners, agents, sole contractors who could be used to flex the organization at short notice or when commercially expedient

Create a high performing Open Source Software consultants pool:

• Lead the People Leads to success in the management and development of the team:
• Support the People Leads in resolving performance issues
• Retain and develop top-tier talent within the team
• Maintain a high bar for individual and team performance
• Conflict management
• Collaborate with other functions to carry out salary planning
• Promote Collabora ideals and values
• Develop a career structure and paths that support the growth of team members and implement succession planning for the Business Strategy Leads
• Providing training opportunities (On-The-Job or taught) to maintain the skill profile of the team
• Manage and align individual growth trajectories with team and business objectives
• Own and drive the annual review and promotion process, providing insights and feedback to support career development within the team
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that promotes openness, collaboration, learning, feedback, knowledge sharing, accountability and technical excellence
• Address any conflicts or issues that arise within the team and facilitate constructive resolution

Critical Success Factors:

• Able to prioritize and manage multiple critical functions for effective and efficient completion of tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Smooth and consistent operations via implementation and design of processes
• Successful development of a world-class, efficient and scalable team
• Commercial skills and financially savvy
• Understanding of the intricacies of the software services industry (consultancies)
• Ability to work in a global context and remote environment

Experience/Skills:

• Understanding of Open Source, its value-add and position in the software industry
• Understanding of Open Source engineers and communities, both motivation for individual developers and interactions between projects
• Strong understanding of software engineering
• Successful track record in software development capacity and utilization planning in a dynamic environment
• Proven track record in driving for software engineering excellence and best practices
• Ability to manage globally distributed teams in a consultancy environment
• Coaching experience and process development skills:
• Experience of fostering an inclusive and engaging team culture
• Proven experience of identifying, retaining, nurturing, and acquiring top talent
• Outgoing and engaging individual who is effective at building good working relationships with all levels of the organization
• Great interpersonal skills
• Very solid English language skills (both verbal and written)
• Ability to work and communicate in an online distributed environment

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