Lead Engineering Manager

Lead Engineering Manager

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
ClearScore

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and develop a talented AI engineering squad while shaping engineering culture.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company focused on AI innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 paid holidays, hybrid work, health cover, and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Other info: Dynamic hybrid work model with a focus on collaboration and personal growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while mentoring and growing a diverse team.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing engineering teams and a strong technical background.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

We are actively seeking an accomplished Lead Engineering Manager to guide and develop our newly formed AI engineering squad. This is a leadership-first position, where you will play a key role in shaping engineering culture, mentoring engineers and scaling team practices. In this role you will be responsible for creating an environment where engineers can do their best work - driving engagement, fostering growth, and developing talent across all levels of seniority. This team will be at the heart of developing an understanding of core AI technologies and developing our internal AI capabilities used to power future product offerings.

What you will be doing:

  • Lead and Develop: Line manage a talented squad of mid-level, senior, and principal engineers from a variety of disciplines. You will own their hiring and onboarding and be the driving force behind their personal and professional growth.
  • Shape Engineering Culture: Work with the broader engineering leadership to actively shape and improve our company-wide managerial and technical best practices, fostering a "you build it, you run it" environment.
  • Drive Technical Strategy: Define and execute the technical strategy and roadmap for the AI domain. You will partner with and mentor the Principal Engineer on your team to drive technical innovation and solve our most complex challenges in this space.
  • Lead Cross-Squad Programs: Take the lead on complex technical programs that span multiple squads. You will be expected to coordinate efforts across teams, manage dependencies, and ensure the successful delivery of major company-wide initiatives.
  • Deliver Impact: Hold the entire squad accountable for the execution and delivery of value to our users. You'll use your expertise in modern agile practices to continually improve the squad’s effectiveness and ensure the delivery of high-quality, robust, and operationally excellent solutions.

Skills we'd love you to have:

  • People Leadership: You have significant experience managing high-performing engineering teams, with a proven passion for developing engineers at all levels, from mid-level to principal.
  • Mentorship at Scale: You are an enabler who can not only grow your own engineers but also mentor other, more junior engineering managers to help them succeed.
  • Program Leadership: You have a track record of successfully coordinating and delivering large-scale programs of work that involve multiple teams and complex stakeholder management.
  • Strategic & Technical Balance: You can flexibly switch between hands‑on technical involvement and strategic thinking. You are able to input, understand, and challenge engineering decisions while empowering the team to own them.
  • Technical Credibility: You have a robust technical background in technical systems. While deep hands‑on expertise isn't required, you must possess the technical credibility to guide a team working with our existing technologies like Scala and Kafka.
  • Agile Expertise: You have an expert understanding of modern agile practices and use metrics to drive data‑informed, continuous improvement for your team and its outcomes.
  • Excellent Communicator: You can communicate openly, provide clear and meaningful feedback, and manage stakeholder relationships effectively across all levels of the business.

Benefits:

  • 25 paid holidays and a "duvet day" on your birthday
  • Hybrid Work Environment
  • Private health and dental cover - including mental health support through Bupa GP office visits
  • Life assurance scheme
  • Up to 6% matched pension
  • Regular Lunch and Learns with guest speakers
  • Dog‑friendly office
  • Daily breakfast and free snacks
  • Access to discounts via Cobens Extras
  • Free sports and social clubs
  • Continued investment into learning and development
  • Leadership‑led training
  • In‑house psychotherapist
  • Financial coach to help you plan and achieve your goals
  • No clock‑watching culture
  • Generous maternity and paternity plans
  • Culture and inclusion representatives
  • Transparent pay structure and a career growth plan

Equal Opportunities: ClearScore is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals. As an equal opportunity employer, we are able to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate individuals with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process. If you require accommodation, please inform us in advance, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Our Hybrid Model: We embrace a dynamic hybrid work environment that balances flexibility with collaborative in‑person experiences. Our approach is designed to foster innovation, team connection, and individual productivity.

Levels 1-5: Minimum 2 days per week in‑office
Level 6 and above: Minimum 3 days per week in‑office

We believe this structure offers the best of both worlds - the flexibility of remote work and the synergy of face‑to‑face collaboration. Our office days are carefully coordinated to maximise team interactions and learning/ mentorship opportunities.

What This Means for You:

  • Flexibility to manage your work and life
  • Dedicated in‑office days for team building and collaborative projects
  • Office facilities (with plants!) designed for productive interactions
  • Clear expectations and support for maintaining our hybrid schedule

Lead Engineering Manager employer: ClearScore

At ClearScore, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a vibrant and inclusive work culture. As a Lead Engineering Manager in our AI engineering squad, you will benefit from a hybrid work environment, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to your personal and professional growth through ongoing training and mentorship. Our focus on employee well-being, transparent career progression, and a supportive atmosphere makes us an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

ClearScore

Contact Details:

ClearScore Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Engineering Manager

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to leadership and technical strategy. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using platforms that offer practice sessions to boost your confidence.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a personal website where you can highlight your past projects, leadership experiences, and any innovative solutions you've implemented. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.

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 being part of our team and culture.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineering Manager

People Leadership
Mentorship at Scale
Program Leadership
Strategic & Technical Balance
Technical Credibility
Agile Expertise
Excellent Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Leadership Style:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your leadership style and how you've developed teams in the past. We want to see how you can shape engineering culture and mentor engineers at all levels.

Be Specific About Your Experience:Use concrete examples to showcase your experience with managing high-performing engineering teams and delivering large-scale programmes. We love details that demonstrate your strategic and technical balance!

Communicate Clearly:Your written application should reflect your excellent communication skills. Be clear and concise, and don’t shy away from sharing how you’ve effectively managed stakeholder relationships in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at ClearScore

Know Your Engineering Culture

Before the interview, dive deep into the company's engineering culture. Understand their values and practices, especially around mentorship and team dynamics. This will help you articulate how your leadership style aligns with their vision.

Showcase Your Mentorship Skills

Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully mentored engineers at various levels. Highlight instances where your guidance led to tangible improvements in their performance or career growth. This is crucial for a role focused on developing talent.

Demonstrate Technical Credibility

Brush up on the technical skills mentioned in the job description, like Scala and Kafka. Be ready to discuss how your technical background can guide the team in solving complex challenges while balancing strategic thinking.

Prepare for Cross-Squad Collaboration

Think of examples where you've led cross-squad initiatives. Be ready to discuss how you managed dependencies and coordinated efforts across teams. This will show your ability to deliver impact on a larger scale, which is key for this position.