At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering operations and drive strategic initiatives for a high-growth SaaS company.
- Company: Join a dynamic SaaS organisation with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of engineering operations and culture.
- Qualifications: 8-10 years in engineering operations or related fields, with strong analytical and communication skills.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 174000 - 220000 ÂŁ per year.
We are seeking a strategic operator to serve as the force multiplier for our CTO and Engineering Leadership Team. Our 800‑person SaaS organization has reached a pivotal scale, product‑market fit is strong, velocity is high, and our next stage of growth depends on maturing our internal engine. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, data, delivery, and culture, ensuring that Engineering operates with clarity, efficiency, and alignment.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Mechanics & Rhythm of Business (RoB)
- Architect and own the Engineering operating cadence, including QBRs, Monthly Business Reviews, strategic planning sessions, and org‑wide communications.
- Drive fiscal and resource governance, partnering with Finance and HR on budgeting, headcount planning, workforce strategy, and cloud cost optimization (FinOps).
- Act as the communication conduit for the CTO—drafting strategic memos, board‑facing narratives, and alignment messages for 400+ engineers.
- Define Engineering “success” metrics, moving beyond vanity KPIs to track velocity, quality, efficiency, and people health (e.g., capital allocation, retention, eNPS).
- Own the Engineering Performance Dashboard, synthesizing complex data sets into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership.
- Lead data‑driven interventions, proactively identifying bottlenecks, risks, or delivery challenges and recommending solutions.
- Maintain a portfolio‑level view of all major engineering initiatives, serving as the CTO’s early warning system for slippage, dependency risks, and scope creep.
- Standardize delivery frameworks—create lightweight yet high‑compliance definitions of “Ready” and “Done” to drive consistent execution across teams.
- Oversee major cross‑functional programs, ensuring alignment on scope, priorities, and timelines.
- Tools, Systems & Workflow Optimization
- Optimize engineering tooling, workflows, and automation, driving adoption of systems (Jira, Confluence, GitHub, CI/CD) that increase velocity and output quality.
- Partner with Engineering and Product to evaluate and implement AI‑driven tools and practices that improve productivity, automation, and decision‑making.
- Establish training, communication, and safe‑use guidelines for responsible and effective AI integration.
- Horizontal Initiatives & Cross‑Functional Leadership
- Serve as the cross‑functional glue between Engineering, Product, Design, QA, Customer Success, and other partners.
- Lead complex, horizontal initiatives such as GRC framework implementations, cloud migrations, or GenAI adoption programs.
- Act as a change agent, driving organizational adoption of new processes, structures, and operating models.
- Engineering Business Operations
- Manage operational budgets, vendor relationships, and resource planning.
- Partner with Finance, Talent Acquisition, and HR on hiring priorities, onboarding, and retention efforts.
- Prepare operational dashboards and reporting for executive leadership and the Board.
- Leadership & Culture
- Mentor and develop Engineering Operations and Program Management staff.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, operational rigor, and data‑driven decision making.
- Strengthen clarity, communication, and alignment across the Engineering org.
- Demonstrate diplomatic authority, the ability to influence without formal power, hold senior leaders (including VPs of Engineering) accountable to commitments, and preserve strong, trust‑based relationships.
Required Experience/Skills
- 8–10+ years in Engineering Operations, Technical Program Management, Strategy/Business Operations, or Software Engineering leadership within a high‑growth SaaS environment.
- Strong understanding of SDLC, agile methodologies, CI/CD, DevOps, and microservices architecture.
- Advanced analytical skills with expertise in Excel, Looker, Tableau, or similar tools—able to convert data into executive‑ready narratives.
- Demonstrated experience driving AI‑related innovation across engineering teams, including evaluating AI opportunities, implementing tools, and influencing change at scale.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills; ability to influence without authority and build trust across all levels.
- Demonstrated success improving engineering processes, delivery predictability, and cross‑functional alignment at scale.
- Experience defining operational frameworks, delivery standards, and KPI systems within a Global Organization.
Preferred: experience with OKR frameworks, people leadership, or certifications (PMP, Agile, Lean).
U.S pay range $174,000 - $220,000 USD. We are a drug‑free workplace. Diligent is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental disability, age, military status, protected veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer related or HIV/AIDS related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures.
Director Engineering Operations (Chief of Staff) New York, New York, United States; Remote U.S;[...] in London employer: Diligent Corporation
Contact Detail:
Diligent Corporation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Engineering Operations (Chief of Staff) New York, New York, United States; Remote U.S;[...] in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A personal connection can often get you a foot in the door faster than any application.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their culture, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We want to see you shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or examples of your work, bring them along. Demonstrating your capabilities can set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! A quick thank-you email after an interview can keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role. Apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Director Engineering Operations (Chief of Staff) New York, New York, United States; Remote U.S;[...] in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. We want to see how you can be that strategic operator for our CTO and Engineering Leadership Team!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you've improved processes or driven innovation in previous roles. We love seeing data-driven results that demonstrate your impact!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to complex topics like operational frameworks and engineering metrics.
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 this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diligent Corporation
✨Know Your Metrics
As a Director of Engineering Operations, you'll need to define and track success metrics. Before the interview, familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to engineering operations. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions and improve processes in your previous roles.
✨Master the Tools
This role involves optimising engineering tools and workflows. Brush up on your knowledge of systems like Jira, Confluence, and CI/CD practices. During the interview, share specific examples of how you've implemented or improved these tools to enhance team productivity and output quality.
✨Showcase Cross-Functional Leadership
You'll be acting as the glue between various teams. Prepare to discuss your experience leading cross-functional initiatives and how you've fostered collaboration among different departments. Highlight any successful projects where you acted as a change agent to drive organisational adoption of new processes.
✨Communicate with Clarity
Exceptional communication skills are crucial for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to provide examples of how you've influenced stakeholders without formal authority and built trust across all levels of an organisation.