At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform application development with modern engineering practices and AI integration.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company in London focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: 3x a week on-site in London; no sponsorship provided.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in software development and experience with cloud technologies.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This role is suited to a modern engineering leader, not a hands-on developer. You will bring:
- A proven track record of modernising application environments
- Strong leadership capability and the ability to uplift teams into new ways of working
- Practical experience of cloud, DevSecOps, API-led architectures, and AI-enabled engineering
- The ability to operate confidently at CIO / business leadership level
My client are seeking a forward-thinking IT Application Development Manager (Head of) to lead the transformation and modernisation of the internal application landscape. This is a key leadership role within the Technology function, responsible for evolving our development practices, building a high-performing engineering team, and delivering cloud-native, API-driven, and AI-enabled solutions.
Operating as part of the Technology Leadership Team, you will play a critical role in shaping engineering strategy, embedding DevSecOps and CI/CD practices in Azure, and driving the adoption of Agentic AI and intelligent automation across the software lifecycle and application operations. This is primarily a leadership and delivery role. While occasional hands-on involvement may be required, your primary focus will be enabling your team, setting standards, ensuring quality delivery, and partnering with the business to deliver value.
Key Accountabilities
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of ~5 developers, supporting their transition to modern engineering practices and technologies.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and innovation.
- Drive adoption of agile, DevSecOps, and product-aligned ways of working.
- Define roles, capabilities and development pathways aligned with the future-state technology landscape.
- Recruit and onboard talent as required to support modernisation ambitions.
- Own and evolve CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices across GitHub and Azure DevOps.
- Ensure automated, secure, and scalable delivery pipelines including: Build, test, release automation; Security scanning (SAST/DAST, secrets, dependencies); Code quality and test automation standards.
- Establish measurable delivery performance (e.g. deployment frequency, lead time, change failure rates).
- Integrate delivery practices with Change & Release governance while maintaining speed and quality.
Cloud-Native Application Modernisation
- Lead the transition from legacy applications (including SORCE) to a modern cloud-native architecture.
- Microservices and modular architectures.
- Resilience, scalability, and observability.
- Align with architecture, infrastructure, and security teams to ensure platform consistency and compliance.
AI-Enabled Engineering & Intelligent Operations
- Lead the practical adoption of Agentic AI and automation across development and operations:
- AI-generated and assisted code (Copilot, Claude).
- Automated unit testing, test generation, and syntax validation.
- AI-assisted documentation and knowledge management.
- Intelligent incident triage and operational insights.
- Introduce guardrails for secure and responsible AI usage, including auditability and risk controls.
- Embed AI and automation into run, support, and maintenance activities to improve service quality and efficiency.
API & Integration Engineering
- Lead development and support of APIs and integration services across internal systems and external SaaS solutions.
- Versioning, security, authentication and observability.
- Promote reusable integration patterns and robust error handling practices.
Stakeholder Management & Business Partnership
- Act as a trusted partner to business stakeholders, translating requirements into technical solutions.
- Work closely with PMO, Product Owners, BAs, and delivery teams to shape priorities and outcomes.
- Engage with IT service functions (Change, Release, Service Design, Support) to ensure solutions are operable and supportable.
- Support adoption, training, and enablement of delivered systems.
- Communicate effectively with non-technical audiences, including senior leadership.
- Ensure alignment with internal governance frameworks, security policies, and regulatory requirements.
- Support audit activities and ensure traceability, controls, and compliance across delivery and operations.
- Manage the application development budget, balancing cost efficiency with innovation.
- Oversee vendor relationships (SaaS providers, delivery partners) ensuring value and service quality.
Technology Leadership Contribution
- Support cross-functional initiatives (e.g. SaaS implementations, discovery work, process improvement).
- Contribute to broader IT leadership activities (town halls, community events, offsites).
- Help shape operating model improvements across the technology function.
Technology Environment
- Core Stack: .NET Core, C#, MS SQL, React
- Automation: Power Automate
- AI Tooling: GitHub Copilot, Anthropic Claude
Leadership & Delivery
- Inspires and develops high-performing teams.
- Leads through transformation and ambiguity.
- Drives delivery outcomes with discipline and pace.
Technical & Functional
- Strong understanding of cloud-native architectures and DevSecOps.
- Practical experience modernising application estates.
- Ability to govern and guide technical direction without needing to be hands-on.
Communication & Stakeholder Management
- Excellent communicator with both technical and business audiences.
- Builds trust and credibility at senior levels.
- Influences decisions and drives alignment across functions.
Analytical & Problem Solving
- Strong root-cause analysis capability.
- Balances speed, risk, and quality effectively.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Proven leadership experience managing software development teams.
- Strong experience with Azure DevSecOps and CI/CD implementation.
- API and integration development experience (REST, APIM).
- Experience with Power Automate and workflow automation.
- Experience working with modern Microsoft stack (.NET, Azure, React).
- Strong stakeholder management across business and IT.
- Experience working within governance, risk and compliance frameworks.
- Experience with Agentic AI / AI-assisted engineering practices.
- Knowledge of AI tools such as Copilot and Claude in software delivery.
- Experience using AI/automation to enhance testing, operations and support.
Working Relationships
- Business stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Product Owners, Business Analysts, PMO, Project Managers.
- Application Support and Service Management teams.
- Change, Release and Service Design functions.
- Architecture, Infrastructure and Security teams.
IT Application Development Manager in London employer: CyberApt Recruitment
As an IT Application Development Manager in London, you will join a forward-thinking company that prioritises innovation and employee growth. With a strong emphasis on modern engineering practices, the organisation fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages continuous improvement and accountability. Employees benefit from opportunities to lead transformative projects, access to cutting-edge technologies, and a supportive environment that values professional development and work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Application Development Manager in London
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what CyberApt Recruitment values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges CyberApt Recruitment might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at CyberApt Recruitment!
✨Direct Apply to CyberApt Recruitment
Let's not forget to apply directly through the CyberApt Recruitment website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Application Development Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at CyberApt Recruitment.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at CyberApt Recruitment. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at CyberApt Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
