Engineering Manager - Chat/ML London

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About Cleo

Most people come to Cleo to do work that matters. Every day, we empower people to build a life beyond their next paycheck, creating a beloved AI that helps them forge their own path toward financial well-being. Backed by some of the most well-known investors in tech, we’ve reached millions of people to support them throughout their financial lives, from their first paycheck to their first home and beyond. We’re hitting headlines too. This year, Forbes named us as one of their Next Billion Dollar Startups, and we were crowned the 'Hottest Tech Scaleup' at the Europas.

The Role

Cleo is radically different from the norm, and we’re looking for an Engineering Manager to guide and develop engineers across our Chat and Machine Learning-focused squads. This role is a unique opportunity to oversee the technical delivery of exceptional products, with a focus on integrating cutting-edge ML solutions and improving the conversational AI capabilities that our customers love. You’ll also be responsible for the well-being and growth of your team members. Your teams will operate at the intersection of engineering, machine learning, and conversational UX, collaborating with product, data, and design to deliver high-quality, impactful experiences. You don’t need to be an ML expert, but an understanding of how engineering and machine learning work together is key.

What you’ll be doing:

• People management: You’ll manage and grow multiple squads, including technical leads, engineers (from junior to senior), and other team members, ensuring they have the support and development opportunities they need to thrive.
• Technical leadership: Collaborate on technical roadmaps, review designs, and participate in architectural discussions to ensure scalability, maintainability, and excellence in delivery.
• Delivery ownership: Work closely with product and data counterparts to define and deliver squad goals. You’ll ensure we’re delivering value to our users in a timely and effective manner.
• Team development: Develop current squad-focused leads into more senior positions, ensuring we have a strong leadership pipeline to support our growth.
• Hiring and growth: Lead headcount planning, recruiting, and onboarding to ensure we have the right mix of skills and experience.
• Optimisation: Identify and implement improvements in processes, tools, and ways of working across your squads.

About You

We’re looking for an Engineering Manager who combines exceptional people leadership with a strong understanding of delivering in a technical environment, especially where machine learning and conversational AI play a role. Ideally, you’ll bring experience working with a stack like ours (Ruby preferred), a bias toward action, and a focus on outcomes. Here’s what we’re looking for:

• People-first leadership: You build environments that support engineers in doing their best work. You’re passionate about coaching and mentoring, and you’re skilled at helping others grow.
• Technical competence: You’ve been a hands-on developer in the past, and while you’re no longer writing production code, you’re comfortable engaging in architectural discussions and reviewing technical proposals.
• Bias to action: You thrive in a fast-paced environment, prioritising impact over perfection and continuously seeking ways to improve delivery.
• Understanding of ML and Chat technologies: While you don’t need to be a machine learning expert, you have enough knowledge to collaborate effectively with ML specialists and understand the challenges and opportunities in this space. Experience with chat technologies or conversational AI is highly desirable.
• Adaptability: You’re comfortable with change and can guide your teams through evolving priorities and challenges.
• Great communication: You can clearly articulate goals, challenges, and solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Commitment to diversity: You value diverse perspectives and actively work to create an inclusive, supportive team environment.

What do you get for all your hard work?

• A competitive compensation package (up to £115k base + equity) with regular reviews.
• Flexibility: Work in a hybrid-first environment, with 1-2 days a week in our London office. We trust you to structure your day around your life.
• Career growth: A clear progression plan to support your development. We’ll help you lead, challenge the status quo, and grow your impact.
• 25 days annual leave + public holidays (+ an additional day for every year you spend at Cleo).
• 6% employer-matched pension in the UK.
• Private Medical Insurance via Vitality, dental cover, and life assurance.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• 1-month paid sabbatical after 4 years.
• Regular socials and activities.
• Online mental health support via Spill.
• OpenAI subscription paid by us.
• And more!