At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a 50+ person engineering team and drive strategic software development.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company focused on high-performance software solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible work options, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of software delivery while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in B2B software, high-availability systems, and leading diverse teams is essential.
- Other info: Located in Milton Keynes with a hybrid work model and a focus on neurodiversity inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 84000 - 196000 £ per year.
Are you ready to lead a 50+ person engineering team through real, strategic change? We're hiring a Head of Software Engineering to shape the future of a high-performing tech function. You'll report to the CTO and work alongside other "Head Of" peers to transform how software is built, tested, and released.
About you: You bring clarity to complexity, can paint a compelling vision, and unite managers around a common purpose. You've got experience working with B2B software products, high-availability systems, and transactional platforms. You understand software observability, performance monitoring, and the importance of resilience and self-healing capabilities. You've recruited and nurtured diverse, high-performing teams, from grads to senior leaders, and you champion continuous development.
What you'll do:
- Lead and develop Engineering, QA, and Scrum teams
- Drive Agile, product-led software delivery across the SDLC
- Uplift DevOps, CI/CD, and deployment pipelines
- Raise standards in secure coding, automation, and observability
- Shape and deliver a continuous improvement roadmap
You won't write code, but you'll bring deep software knowledge and lead by influence. You'll know when to drop down into the delivery detail and when to focus on driving strategy. The team have strong foundations in place. You'll be the person to take them to the next level.
Location: Milton Keynes HQ, 3 days per week office based. With occasional travel to offshore teams, ad hoc.
Salary: Up to £140K + benefits Permanent
We are an equal opportunity recruitment company. This means we welcome applications from all suitably qualified people regardless of race, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation or age. We are particularly invested in Neurodiversity inclusion and offer reasonable adjustments in the interview process. Reasonable adjustments are changes that we can make in the interview process if your disability puts you at a disadvantage compared with others who are not disabled. If you would benefit from a reasonable adjustment in your interview process, please call or email one of our recruiters.
Director of Software Development employer: Big Red Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Big Red Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Software Development
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with our company culture and values. Understanding what drives us at StudySmarter will help you align your vision with ours, making it easier to demonstrate how you can lead our engineering team effectively.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees or industry peers who have experience in similar roles. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the challenges and expectations of the position, which you can leverage during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams through change. Highlighting your past achievements in driving Agile methodologies and improving software delivery processes will showcase your capability to take our team to the next level.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in software development, particularly around DevOps, CI/CD, and observability. Being knowledgeable about current best practices will not only impress us but also demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement in the tech space.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Software Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Director of Software Development position. Highlight your experience with B2B software products and high-availability systems in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your leadership experience and achievements in software development. Emphasise your ability to lead diverse teams and drive Agile methodologies, as these are key aspects of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your vision for transforming software delivery. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you've successfully led teams and implemented strategic changes.
Highlight Continuous Development: In your application, mention your commitment to continuous development and how you've nurtured talent within your teams. This aligns with the company's focus on high-performing teams and resilience in software engineering.
How to prepare for a job interview at Big Red Recruitment
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for the Director of Software Development, it's crucial to showcase your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams through change and how you’ve united diverse groups around a common vision.
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
Even though you won't be writing code, having a deep understanding of software development processes is essential. Be ready to discuss your knowledge of B2B software products, high-availability systems, and performance monitoring techniques.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Highlight your commitment to continuous development and improvement. Discuss specific strategies you've implemented in previous roles to uplift DevOps practices, secure coding standards, and automation processes.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking. Think about past challenges you've faced in software delivery and how you navigated them, particularly in an Agile environment.