Senior Engineering Manager (Manchester)
Senior Engineering Manager (Manchester)

Senior Engineering Manager (Manchester)

Manchester Full-Time 72000 - 84000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Datalex

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and empower multiple engineering teams to deliver high-quality software solutions.
  • Company: Join Datalex, a leader in airline e-commerce solutions with a global presence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of engineering while working with innovative airline brands.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in a managerial role with strong technical leadership skills.
  • Other info: Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across diverse teams.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.

Location: Onsite/hybrid

Team Model: Leader of multiple cross‑functional software development teams (pods)

Reports to: VP of Engineering

Direct Reports: Engineering Managers; may include Senior Engineers depending on organisational structure

The Role

Provide strategic, technical, and organisational leadership across multiple engineering teams to deliver high quality software predictably and sustainably. Empower and develop Engineering Managers and technical leaders, shape long‑term engineering direction, and ensure strong alignment between delivery, stakeholder priorities, and organisational goals. Champion modern engineering practices such as continuous delivery, automation, observability, and improved development flow driving sustainable, scalable excellence across the broader engineering organisation.

Essential Skills and Experience

  • People Leadership & Manager Development
  • Technical Strategy & Execution Oversight
  • Delivery Governance & Operational Excellence
  • Cross‑Functional & Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Organisational Leadership & Team Health

Set clear expectations, standards, and operating models for Engineering Managers and their teams. Act as a visible role model for leadership excellence, demonstrating the behaviours, standards, and engineering discipline expected across all teams. Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, psychological safety, and continuous improvement across all pods. Monitor team health, engineering capacity, delivery flow, and systemic impediments; intervene early and remove structural blockers. Ensure consistent, effective adoption of engineering rituals and best practices across teams. Lead, coach, and develop Engineering Managers; provide regular feedback, growth plans, and leadership development. Own performance management for EMs, including objective setting, calibration, and promotion recommendations. Support Engineering Managers with challenging personnel situations, performance improvement plans, and succession planning. Play an active role in hiring EMs, Senior Engineers, and other key technical roles; champion diversity and inclusion. Provide strategic technical leadership in partnership with Architects, Senior Engineers, and other technical stakeholders. Ensure Engineering Managers are effectively balancing short‑term delivery with long‑term maintainability, technical debt management, and platform resilience. Guide teams in adopting and maturing modern software development practices (CD, test automation, observability, secure‑by‑design, etc.). Monitor technical health, platform constraints, scalability trends, and cost efficiency across domains; intervene where needed. Own delivery outcomes across multiple teams, ensuring alignment with roadmap, OKRs, and organisational commitments. Partner with stakeholders to provide clear, accurate, programme‑level delivery insights, risk assessments, and milestone reporting. Ensure that cross‑team dependencies, systemic risks, scope challenges, unforeseen complexity, and escalations are proactively identified and managed across the portfolio. Champion the improvement of engineering flow metrics (lead time, deployment frequency, change failure rate, MTTR) across teams. Drive consistent adoption of CI/CD, automation, and disciplined release governance to reduce toil and improve reliability. Maintain strong, transparent relationships with stakeholders across product, design, PMO, data, architecture, and other engineering domains. Align teams and EMs around shared priorities, clear trade‑offs, and business outcomes. Represent engineering in cross‑department initiatives, strategic planning, and executive‑level discussions. Ensure accurate, timely communication of plans, progress, risks, and decisions - creating a predictable, “no surprises” environment.

Significant experience leading multiple engineering teams and managing Engineering Managers (typically 5+ years in a manager‑of‑managers role). Strong engineering background with the ability to provide technical leadership without acting as the primary coder. Demonstrated success scaling engineering organisations, improving flow, and maturing engineering practices. Proven ability to navigate complex delivery environments, manage cross‑team dependencies, and influence senior stakeholders. Excellence in leadership development, coaching, hiring, and building diverse, high‑performing teams.

About Datalex

Datalex is a market leader in airline e‑commerce solutions. Datalex's Stellex product suite, launched in 2024, gives airlines the tools they need to drive revenue and profit as digital retailers. Datalex has a strong track record working with some of the most innovative airline brands worldwide, such as Air China, Air Macau, Air Transat, Aer Lingus, easyJet, and Edelweiss. The Group is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and maintains offices across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Senior Engineering Manager (Manchester) employer: Datalex

Datalex is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Manchester where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee development and leadership growth, we empower our teams to excel through modern engineering practices and a culture of accountability and psychological safety. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values diversity and inclusion while driving impactful solutions for leading airline brands worldwide.
Datalex

Contact Detail:

Datalex Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Engineering Manager (Manchester)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Datalex or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to leadership and technical strategy. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using mock interview platforms to boost your confidence.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've empowered teams and improved processes. This will help you stand out as a candidate who aligns with Datalex's values.

✨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 the Datalex team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Engineering Manager (Manchester)

People Leadership
Technical Strategy
Delivery Governance
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Organisational Leadership
Coaching and Development
Performance Management
Hiring and Talent Acquisition
Modern Software Development Practices
Continuous Delivery
Automation
Observability
Risk Assessment
Stakeholder Management
Engineering Flow Metrics

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in leading engineering teams and driving modern practices. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at StudySmarter!

Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, share examples of how you've empowered teams and fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their people leadership skills!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and experiences that relate to the role.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the Senior Engineering Manager position!

How to prepare for a job interview at Datalex

✨Know Your Leadership Style

Before the interview, reflect on your leadership style and how it aligns with the company's values. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've empowered teams and fostered a culture of accountability and psychological safety.

✨Demonstrate Technical Acumen

Brush up on modern engineering practices like continuous delivery and automation. Prepare to discuss how you've implemented these strategies in past roles and how they can benefit the organisation's goals.

✨Showcase Cross-Functional Collaboration

Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders across different departments. Highlight how you managed dependencies and communicated effectively to ensure project success.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex delivery environments. Practice articulating your thought process in managing risks, technical debt, and team health while balancing short-term and long-term objectives.

Senior Engineering Manager (Manchester)
Datalex
Location: Manchester

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