At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform engineering culture, focusing on accountability and measurable improvement.
- Company: Dynamic cloud-native SaaS platform in the energy sector undergoing significant transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive rate of £700/day, remote work, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity to work closely with engineers and influence architectural decisions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by rebuilding a motivated engineering team in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading engineering transformations and strong technical foundation.
The predicted salary is between 182000 - 182000 € per year.
A well-funded, cloud-native SaaS platform operating in the energy and utilities sector is going through a significant transformation. New leadership is in place, the structure has been streamlined, and now the focus shifts to rebuilding the engineering organisation — culture, performance, and delivery.
This is a critical interim hire at a pivotal moment. The platform handles real-time billing at scale for some of the UK's largest energy suppliers — technically demanding, commercially high-stakes, and moving fast.
They need a hands-on engineering leader, equally comfortable in a calibration conversation as they are reviewing a pull request. Someone who can walk into an engineering org with low morale and low ownership, and turn it around through technical credibility, genuine care for people, and a relentless focus on measurable improvement.
You won't be managing layers of managers. You'll be close to the engineers, close to the work, and close to the architecture.
What you'll be doing:
- Rebuilding engineering culture from the ground up, ownership, accountability, craft
- Driving DORA metrics across the teams: deploy frequency, lead time, change failure rate, MTTR
- Instilling data-driven ways of working — making performance visible and meaningful, not performative
- Being present with engineers — 1:1s, team rituals, unblocking, genuine people leadership
- Reviewing architecture and PRs where needed — you're expected to have an opinion and to be taken seriously when you do
- Working with the new leadership team on engineering strategy and delivery roadmap
- Identifying and closing structural gaps left by the restructure
What you'll bring:
- A track record of leading engineering teams through transformation — not just steady-state management
- Strong technical foundation — enough to engage meaningfully on architecture, review code, and earn credibility with senior engineers fast
- Experience driving DORA performance improvement in a real engineering org
- Genuine people instincts — you know how to rebuild trust and ownership in a team that's been through change
- Comfort working in a TypeScript/AWS environment (hands-on proficiency a bonus, not a must)
- Ability to operate with autonomy and pace — this is a contract role, not a slow ramp
- Background in SaaS, billing, utilities, or complex B2B platforms — useful but not essential if the leadership fundamentals are strong
The detail:
- Rate: £700/day, outside IR35
- Duration: 6 months (with potential to extend)
- Location: Remote UK — travel to site covered when required
- Start: ASAP
VP / Head of Engineering — Contract in London employer: Arrows
Join a dynamic and innovative cloud-native SaaS platform that is at the forefront of transforming the energy and utilities sector. As a VP / Head of Engineering, you will be part of a culture that prioritises technical excellence and genuine people leadership, offering you the chance to make a significant impact in rebuilding an engineering organisation. With a focus on measurable improvement and a supportive remote work environment, this role provides unique opportunities for professional growth and the chance to lead a team through meaningful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP / Head of Engineering — Contract in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know about opportunities in engineering leadership. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your past successes in transforming engineering teams. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for the interview! Research the company’s culture and their current challenges. Be prepared to discuss how you would rebuild their engineering culture and improve DORA metrics based on your previous experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare and make your application shine. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us in this exciting transformation.
We think you need these skills to ace VP / Head of Engineering — Contract in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience in transforming engineering teams and driving performance metrics like DORA. We want to see how you've made a real impact in previous roles!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for rebuilding engineering culture and how you connect with people. Let us know why you're the perfect fit for this hands-on leadership role.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t shy away from mentioning your technical expertise, especially in areas like architecture and code review. We’re looking for someone who can engage meaningfully with engineers, so let that shine through in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arrows
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's mission, values, and recent developments. Understanding their transformation journey in the energy and utilities sector will help you align your experience with their needs and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your approach to rebuilding engineering culture and how you've successfully led teams through transformation. Share specific examples of how you've improved morale and ownership in previous roles, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Demonstrate Technical Credibility
Brush up on your technical skills, especially around architecture and code review. Be prepared to discuss your experience with DORA metrics and how you've driven performance improvements in past engineering teams. This will help you earn respect from senior engineers.
✨Engage with Genuine Care
Highlight your people instincts during the interview. Discuss how you plan to conduct 1:1s and team rituals to foster trust and accountability. Showing that you care about the team's well-being will resonate well with the interviewers.
