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 competitive salary, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role based in Manchester with a focus on collaboration and team culture.
- 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 80000 - 100000 £ 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
- Competitive starting salary
- 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
- Buy As You Earn (BAYE) share scheme
- 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 Salford employer: Aj Bell
AJ Bell is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee development and well-being. As a Director of Engineering, you will lead a modern engineering organisation in Manchester, benefiting from competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a strong focus on professional growth through ongoing training and support. Join a company recognised as one of the UK's Best 100 Companies to Work For, where your contributions directly impact the investment experiences of hundreds of thousands of customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Engineering in Salford
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We think you need these skills to ace Director of Engineering in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
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Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Aj Bell specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aj Bell
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Aj Bell, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
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Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Aj Bell value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
