At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams to deliver high-quality, scalable tech solutions that meet business needs.
- Company: Join Canopius, a leading global specialty lines (re)insurer with a positive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, pension, health insurance, and more.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity and inclusion, with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while fostering innovation and continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in large-scale engineering and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Head of Engineering is accountable for leading and directing the Engineering function to deliver high‑quality, scalable and secure internal platforms, products and technology capabilities that meet business needs. The role closely collaborates with Architecture & Design and Change teams translating enterprise architecture and change priorities into robust engineering outcomes, owning engineering standards, delivery controls and performance across the full lifecycle. The Head of Engineering ensures consistent, compliant and efficient delivery across internal teams and third‑party suppliers, while embedding a culture of continuous improvement, automation and accountability.
Responsibilities will include:
- Provide strategic leadership to the Engineering function, ensuring structure, capability and ways of working are aligned to business and Technology strategy.
- Establish and embed engineering standards, design principles and delivery controls across all squads and suppliers.
- Ensure engineering delivery complies with internal governance, policy, security and regulatory/audit expectations.
- Set clear accountability, performance expectations and career progression frameworks across the function.
- Foster a culture of transparency, ownership, continuous improvement and delivery excellence.
- Monitor, report and act on engineering performance, delivery health and risk.
- Own end‑to‑end engineering delivery across design, build, test and release.
- Maintain a transparent view of demand, delivery roadmap, capacity and dependencies.
- Ensure engineering outcomes align to the wider Technology & Data strategy and architectural direction.
- Work closely with Architecture & Design, Change, Operations and business stakeholders to translate requirements into high‑quality solutions.
- Allocate engineering resources in line with business priorities, resolving contention and delivery risks.
- Oversee technical delivery quality, ensuring solutions are scalable, resilient and fit for purpose.
- Promote modern engineering practices, automation and reuse to improve delivery speed and reliability.
- Ensure critical platforms and products achieve agreed availability and performance targets.
- Act as a senior technology partner to the business, clearly communicating progress, risks and trade‑offs.
- Manage and govern third‑party engineering partners to ensure consistent standards, value for money and delivery outcomes.
- Collaborate across Technology leadership to ensure joined‑up planning, prioritisation and execution.
Skills and Experience
- Significant experience leading large‑scale engineering or technology delivery functions in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
- Strong knowledge of the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and modern delivery methodologies.
- Proven experience embedding engineering standards, controls and governance at scale.
- Excellent people leadership skills, with experience building high‑performing teams and developing talent.
- Strong stakeholder management and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non‑technical audiences.
- Experience managing delivery in hybrid or outsourced environments.
- Demonstrable track record of driving continuous improvement and delivery optimisation.
- Experience within regulated industries (e.g. insurance or financial services).
- Knowledge of data platforms, data engineering or analytics delivery environments.
- Experience working closely with enterprise architecture and change portfolios.
About Us
We offer all employees a comprehensive benefits package that focuses on their whole wellbeing. This includes hybrid working, a competitive base salary, non‑contributory pension, discretionary bonus, insurances including health (family) and dental cover, and many other benefits to enhance financial, physical, social and psychological health.
About Canopius
Canopius is a global specialty lines (re)insurer. We are one of the leading insurers in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market with offices in the UK, US, Singapore, Australia and Bermuda. At Canopius we foster a distinctive, positive culture which enables us to bring our whole selves to work to flourish as people, and build a business which delivers profitable, sustainable results. Based in incredible new offices in the heart of the City of London, Canopius operates a flexible, hybrid working model and is committed to providing an environment that challenges employees to be their best and where everyone's unique contributions are recognised, valued and respected.
We are fully committed to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are made regardless of age, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, socio‑economic background, religion or beliefs, marital or caring status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage and welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds. We make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and during employment. Please let us know if you require any information in an alternate format or any other reasonable adjustments.
Head of Engineering in Manchester employer: Canopius
Canopius is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where data governance plays a crucial role in driving the organisation's success. Employees benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages growth and learning, particularly in the dynamic insurance sector. Located in a vibrant area, Canopius offers unique advantages such as flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their engineering practices and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Tailor your responses to show you're the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams, managed projects, and driven continuous improvement. Highlighting your ability to foster a culture of transparency and accountability will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Canopius.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Engineering role. Highlight your experience in leading engineering functions and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills align with our mission at StudySmarter. Don’t forget to mention your experience with modern delivery methodologies!
Showcase Leadership Skills:We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. This will help us understand how you can lead our engineering function effectively.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to communicate your experience and achievements. Remember, we appreciate transparency and clarity just as much as you do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canopius
✨Know Your Engineering Standards
Make sure you’re well-versed in the engineering standards and delivery controls relevant to the role. Brush up on how these standards align with business needs and be ready to discuss how you've implemented similar frameworks in your past roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've led large-scale engineering teams. Highlight your ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of continuous improvement, as this is crucial for the Head of Engineering position.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders, so think of examples where you’ve successfully bridged that gap.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research Canopius and its position within the insurance market. Be prepared to discuss how your engineering strategies can support their business goals, especially in terms of scalability and compliance with regulatory expectations.
