At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform engineering culture, focusing on accountability and performance metrics.
- Company: Dynamic cloud-native SaaS platform in the energy sector, undergoing significant transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, remote work, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with autonomy and opportunities for genuine people leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by rebuilding a team and driving measurable improvements.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading engineering transformations and strong technical foundation.
The predicted salary is between 182000 - 182000 € per year.
The opportunity: 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.
The role: 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 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 play a pivotal role in rebuilding a high-performance engineering culture, with a focus on genuine people leadership and measurable improvements. Enjoy the flexibility of remote work while being part of a supportive environment that values technical expertise and fosters employee growth through hands-on engagement and strategic collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP / Head of Engineering — Contract
✨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 organisation and improve DORA metrics.
✨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
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in transforming engineering teams. We want to see how you've turned around low morale and ownership in the past, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Showcase Your Technical Credibility:Since this role requires a strong technical foundation, be sure to include any relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate your hands-on skills. We’re looking for someone who can engage meaningfully with engineers, so let us know what you’ve done!
Highlight People Leadership Skills:We value genuine care for people, so share stories about how you've rebuilt trust and ownership in your teams. Include specific instances where your leadership made a difference, as we want to see your people instincts in action.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. 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 demonstrate genuine interest.
✨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 instilled ownership and accountability, and be prepared to talk about your people instincts.
✨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 previous roles. This will show that you can engage meaningfully with senior engineers.
✨Prepare for Hands-On Scenarios
Expect to discuss real-world scenarios where you've had to unblock teams or lead 1:1s. Think about how you would approach a low-morale situation and turn it around. This will highlight your genuine care for people and your ability to operate with autonomy and pace.
