At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software engineering teams and set the technical direction for innovative applications.
- Company: Join the UK's largest ports operator, transforming trade and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, pension, private healthcare, and generous leave.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with excellent career growth and training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vital industry while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in software engineering and team leadership required.
We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 21 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.
It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.
We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.
We're currently looking to recruit a Software Engineering Lead to set and own the technical direction of our Enterprise Applications. Based from any of our major port locations, and working in our hybrid model, you'll have strong commitment to building and retaining key systems across the business. You'll report directly into the Head Of Enterprise Applications with a team of 4 direct reports, but with the scope and responsibility to build and develop the team. The role has full ownership of the software engineering capabilities across the business which currently includes activities such as redeveloping our customer side portals and websites.
Why Should You Make ABP Your First Port Of Call?
- Have the chance to make a difference in a business critical to UK trade
- Work within an exciting, innovative, growing business
- You can thrive in an inclusive environment where every individual can be themselves and feel respected
- Receive competitive salary and benefits package
- Get support for training, personal development and further education
- Benefit from support and engagement through dedicated management and leadership
Accountabilities
- Set the technical vision, engineering standards and architectural direction for the software ABP builds and integrates, in partnership with Enterprise Architecture, and ensure they are consistently applied across the function.
- Own the software engineering roadmap, aligning continuous‑improvement and platform investment with ABP’s business priorities so that maximum, sustainable value is realised.
- Be accountable for the quality, security, performance and maintainability of ABP‑built applications and integrations, establishing the governance — including design and code‑review standards — through which this is assured.
- Provide leadership to the software engineering function, leading through engineering managers, team leads and senior engineers, and bringing multi‑disciplinary, multi‑location teams together as one delivery capability.
- Build and develop engineering talent: shape the team’s structure and capability plan, lead recruitment, set and measure performance objectives, and create an environment of coaching, growth and high performance — addressing performance issues where needed.
- Own the software engineering budget, contribute to wider IT financial planning, and ensure delivery is achieved within agreed budgets and to agreed milestones.
- Establish and report meaningful engineering and service metrics — quality, delivery, reliability and value — and use them to drive continuous improvement in collaboration with peer Leads.
- Lead requirements governance across the delivery lifecycle, ensuring clear traceability from business outcomes through to delivered software, working with Solution Managers and the business.
Skills & Experience
- Significant software engineering experience including substantial experience leading engineering teams and leading through other managers or team leads.
- Proven track record of owning a software engineering capability and delivering complex, business‑critical applications and integrations in organisations with a complex, highly integrated application landscape.
- Strong, current technical credibility across modern application development and integration — able to set architecture and engineering standards and to challenge and guide senior engineers.
- Demonstrable experience defining technical strategy, engineering standards and roadmaps, and translating business strategy into deliverable engineering plans.
- Experience leading multi‑disciplinary, multi‑location and matrixed teams, and bringing them together into a single delivery capability.
- Working knowledge of, and a pragmatic approach to modernising, legacy Microsoft technologies in the existing estate (e.g. VB.NET, ASP.NET, .NET Framework, IIS, MSMQ).
We offer a competitive salary, contributory pension from day one (Starting at 3% employee contribution with 5% company match), private healthcare, access to our Employee Assistance Program, 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays – plus the option to purchase additional days), wide range of discounts and cash back with high street and online retailers. We offer an inclusive work environment with an in‑house training academy which offers ongoing opportunities to develop your skills.
Closing Date for the role is 26th July.
Want to see what it’s like to work for the UK’s largest port operator? Our virtual work experience programme gives you an inside look at trade, sustainability, safety, and careers in one of the UK’s most vital industries – https://www.talentxp.co.uk/track/e2e029cd
When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.
Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero‑tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.
We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.
As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre‑employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
Software Engineering Team Lead employer: Associated British Ports
At ABP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the Humber Region where innovation meets tradition. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our supportive culture and opportunities for professional development, ensuring that you can thrive while managing a diverse property portfolio. With competitive salaries and fantastic benefits, joining our team means becoming part of a forward-thinking organisation that values collaboration and strategic impact in one of the UK's most significant industrial hubs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Team Lead
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Associated British Ports or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Associated British Ports.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Associated British Ports.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Associated British Ports that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineering Team Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Associated British Ports.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Associated British Ports and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Associated British Ports
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Associated British Ports uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
