At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams to deliver innovative digital experiences for our customers.
- Company: Join AJ Bell, a top UK investment platform with a people-first culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role based in Manchester with a focus on collaboration and team engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how hundreds of thousands invest while shaping engineering strategy.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in software engineering and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 € per year.
Ready to lead the next evolution of one of the UK’s leading investment platforms? AJ Bell is seeking a Director of Engineering to set engineering direction and build high performing, product aligned teams delivering secure, reliable and innovative digital experiences that help our customers feel good investing. This is a high impact, hands on leadership role.
You’ll partner with senior leaders, Product and Design to define the engineering strategy, strengthen delivery and operational excellence, and evolve an Agile, outcome focused, backlog led model. Through our Heads of Department, you’ll create clarity and consistency in standards, security and regulatory compliance, while building a culture of ownership, learning and continuous improvement across our services.
Why this role at AJ Bell
- Lead a modern engineering organisation at scale, with clear executive sponsorship and the ability to influence platform wide direction.
- Work on products that directly impact how hundreds of thousands of customers invest, balancing pace with resilience, security and regulatory expectations.
- Invest in ways of working: data led performance, engineering excellence, developer experience, AI enabled tooling and automation.
- Join a people first culture that values inclusion, development and long-term career growth.
What you’ll do
- Set the engineering vision, translating AJ Bell’s strategy into a clear, measurable roadmap and operating plan.
- Build and sustain high performing teams by coaching engineering leaders, strengthening structure, and creating the conditions for speed, ownership and quality.
- Partner across Product, Design and senior stakeholders to align priorities, manage trade‑offs and accelerate outcomes.
- Own delivery outcomes across multiple teams, setting goals, removing blockers, improving predictability and ensuring consistent execution.
- Evolve modern engineering practices, using AI, automation and DevOps to streamline delivery and shorten cycle times.
- Ensure services are reliable, secure and compliant, driving performance, resilience, observability and regulatory adherence.
- Lead key external integrations, partnering with vendors to deliver high quality, well governed capabilities.
What we’re looking for
- We’re looking for a strategic, technically credible leader with a track record of building great engineering organisations and delivering complex change.
- Proven experience leading software engineering teams in complex environments; experience within FCA regulated financial services is a plus.
- Strong knowledge of modern platforms and delivery practices (cloud native architectures, DevOps, CI/CD and automated testing).
- Experience shaping technology strategy, running multiple teams, and delivering high quality outcomes through clear prioritisation and governance.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to engage at Board level and explain complex topics clearly to non-technical audiences.
- Demonstrable impact improving operational efficiency, engineering standards and team engagement.
- A passion for outcome driven delivery, continuous improvement and pragmatic innovation.
Technical expertise we value
- .NET, Angular/React/Vue, AWS (or equivalent cloud platforms), test automation, microservices, APIs and object oriented programming.
About AJ Bell
AJ Bell is one of the UK’s fastest growing investment platforms, serving over 723,000 customers and managing £108.7 billion in assets. Through our award winning platform, we make investing simple, transparent, and enjoyable, helping people feel good investing. With 1,500+ employees across Manchester, London, and Bristol, we’ve been recognised as one of the UK’s Best 100 Companies to Work For six years running, as well as a Great Place to Work in 2025 and 2026.
What we offer
- 28 days holiday, increasing to 31 with length of service plus holiday buy/sell scheme
- Pension scheme with up to 8% matched contributions
- Discretionary bonus
- PMI, and health cash plan
- Free onsite gym, cycle to work scheme, and travel loans
- Enhanced parental leave (tiered on length of service)
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Professional development, ongoing technical training, and qualification support
- Social calendar including monthly payday drinks, summer party, Christmas party
This is a Manchester-based hybrid role, with a minimum of 50% of working time spent in the office each month. Beyond this, we’re looking for someone who is genuinely present in the business, building relationships, understanding our teams, and embedding themselves in our culture. This role will suit someone who values visibility, connection and being close to where decisions and collaboration happen.
Inclusion & diversity
We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to be themselves at work. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make hiring decisions based on skills, experience and potential.
Director of Engineering in Manchester employer: AJ Bell Management Limited
AJ Bell is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. With a strong focus on innovation and engineering excellence, employees benefit from a range of perks including generous holiday allowances, professional development opportunities, and a vibrant social calendar. Located in Manchester, this role provides the chance to lead impactful projects within a supportive environment that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Engineering in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those at AJ Bell. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding AJ Bell's culture and values. Show how your leadership style aligns with their people-first approach and commitment to innovation.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail. Highlight specific examples of how you've built high-performing teams and delivered complex projects, especially in regulated environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the AJ Bell team.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Engineering in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Director of Engineering role. Highlight your leadership experience and how you've successfully built high-performing teams in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical skills, especially in areas like .NET, cloud platforms, and DevOps practices. We want to see how your background can contribute to our engineering vision and strategy.
Communicate Clearly:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain complex topics, as this will demonstrate your ability to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people directly and you can easily track your application status. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at AJ Bell Management Limited
✨Understand the Engineering Vision
Before your interview, make sure you fully grasp AJ Bell's engineering vision and how it aligns with their overall strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you would translate that vision into a measurable roadmap and operating plan.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Director of Engineering, your leadership style is crucial. Think about examples from your past where you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of ownership and continuous improvement. Be ready to share these stories during your interview.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
You’ll need to partner with various stakeholders, so practice articulating complex technical topics in a way that’s easy for non-technical audiences to understand. This will demonstrate your excellent communication skills and ability to engage at all levels.
✨Highlight Your Technical Expertise
Make sure to brush up on your knowledge of modern platforms and delivery practices, especially .NET, AWS, and DevOps. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in previous roles to drive operational efficiency and deliver high-quality outcomes.
