At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a cutting-edge website platform to combat dementia.
- Company: Join Alzheimer's Research UK, the leading dementia research charity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic, inclusive environment with a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the fight against dementia while using modern tech.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in software engineering, especially with React and web platforms.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 63000 £ per year.
As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, we’re determined to stop this from becoming a reality. We’re working to revolutionise the way we treat, diagnose and prevent dementia. But we will not stop there. With your support, we will keep going until every person is free from the heartbreak of dementia. We exist for a cure.
In order to make this happen, we need to operate with best in class Digital and Technology tools and platforms. So, join us as we embark on a major journey of transformation across our digital, data, and technology offering! The Lead Software Engineer will play a critical, hands-on role in shaping this future.
We are investing in a new website platform that will provide an improved user experience, be built and operated using modern Tech (e.g. React, headless CMS, CI/CD) and be a foundation for continued future optimisation. The website will unlock the ability to attract more users (via increased visibility on search engines and repeat visits) and increase the number of people donating online for a cure.
This role will be the senior technology team member on the new website project team, ensuring that the solution designed and delivered primarily by our website development partner is using modern approaches and tools. In addition, this person will actively take part in the development and test of the website platform and ultimately be the internal technical owner of the platform for ARUK. The post holder will report into the CIO but work day to day with the Digital Engagement team to deliver the new website platform. This is a 24-month fixed term contract.
Key Responsibilities:- Act as the internal technical owner of the new website platform, providing strong technical leadership, governance, and assurance across its design, build, and operation.
- Provide technical oversight and direction to the appointed Digital / website development partner, ensuring best practice engineering approaches, tooling, and standards are applied throughout delivery.
- Own and make key technical design decisions, ensuring the website platform:
- Uses modern web and cloud‑native technologies (e.g. React, headless architecture).
- Uses modern technical approaches for code management, build and deployment pipelines (CI/CD).
- Aligns with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s broader enterprise architecture, security standards, and technology roadmap.
- Integrates effectively with existing and future Alzheimer’s Research UK’s systems (e.g. CRM, fundraising, analytics, marketing platforms).
- Actively contribute as a hands‑on software engineering individual contributor during the build and test phases, including:
- Reviewing and contributing to code where appropriate.
- Supporting technical problem‑solving and performance optimisation.
- Participating in testing, release, and deployment activities.
- Work closely day‑to‑day with the Digital Engagement team, ensuring technical delivery supports user experience, content, fundraising, and optimisation objectives.
- Establish and embed good engineering practices for the platform, including documentation, environment management, deployment, monitoring, and support handover.
- Take technical ownership of the platform post‑launch, supporting continuous improvement, optimisation, and future enhancements.
- Strong professional experience as a senior software engineer / lead software engineer working on modern website or digital platforms.
- Ideally a full stack engineer with strong front-end skills (our main languages/ frameworks are React and Python/Django).
- Proven experience with modern front‑end and web architectures, including:
- React (or comparable modern JavaScript frameworks).
- Headless CMS and API‑driven architectures.
- CI/CD pipelines and automated testing practices.
- Experience acting as a technical owner or lead for an app or website.
- Experience working with modern code management tools (e.g. GitHub, Bitbucket) and of version control/code branching approaches.
- Experience using AI tools to improve engineering efficiency (e.g. Cursor, Claude code, GitHub Copilot).
- Knowledge of code build and deployment processes.
- Solid understanding of cloud‑hosted, scalable, and secure web platforms, including performance, resilience, and security considerations.
- Experience integrating websites with wider digital ecosystems (e.g. CRM, analytics, marketing automation, donation/payment platforms).
- Ability to operate effectively as both a hands‑on contributor and a senior technical advisor, balancing strategic oversight with practical delivery.
- Experience working in an agile environment using development workflow tools such as JIRA.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non‑technical stakeholders.
- Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.
- Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD.
- Salary: Circa 63,000 per annum, plus benefits.
- We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly from those in the global majority, those with disabilities, men and those from the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.
- As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality.
How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.
About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.
Technical Lead - Front End (React) - Work from Home employer: Alzheimer's Research UK
At Alzheimer’s Research UK, we are not just a charity; we are a community dedicated to revolutionising dementia research and treatment. Our flexible work culture allows you to balance home and office life while contributing to meaningful projects that have a real impact on people's lives. With a commitment to employee growth and an inclusive environment, we offer opportunities for professional development and the chance to be part of a transformative journey in digital technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Lead - Front End (React) - Work from Home
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those who might have insights into the company or role you're eyeing. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a referral, which is gold dust in the job market.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub with projects that highlight your React and web development prowess, make sure to share it. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical ownership.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of modern web architectures and CI/CD practices. Be ready to discuss how you’d apply these in the context of the new website platform. We want to see your passion for tech and problem-solving!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll be able to track your application status easily, keeping you in the loop throughout the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Lead - Front End (React) - Work from Home
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Technical Lead - Front End. Highlight your experience with React and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in modern web architectures. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about dementia research and how your technical expertise aligns with our goals. Keep it engaging and personal, so we get a sense of who you are.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, don't forget to mention your hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines and cloud-native technologies. We’re looking for someone who can lead and contribute, so let us know how you've done this in the past!
Apply Early!:We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. The sooner you apply, the better your chances of securing an interview. Plus, we might close applications early if we find the right fit, so don’t wait!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alzheimer's Research UK
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially React and CI/CD practices. Brush up on your knowledge of headless CMS and API-driven architectures, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Technical Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to guide a team. Prepare examples of how you've provided technical oversight or made key design decisions in past projects. This will show that you can balance hands-on work with strategic leadership.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to face questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of specific challenges you've encountered in previous roles and how you overcame them, particularly in relation to performance optimisation and technical issues.
✨Communicate Clearly with Non-Techies
You’ll need to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Practice simplifying your explanations and using relatable analogies. This will help you stand out as someone who can bridge the gap between tech and business needs.
