Managing Director

Managing Director

Full-Time 160000 - 210000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a talented team, manage client relationships, and oversee complex software projects.
  • Company: Join Focused, a dynamic tech company at the forefront of software development.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Expect travel across the UK and occasional trips to the US.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of tech while making a real impact on client success.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in technical delivery and high-level management roles.

The predicted salary is between 160000 - 210000 £ per year.

At Focused, we move quickly to deliver quality software that achieves client outcomes and anticipates their customers’ needs. We strategically partner with our clients to leverage our expertise at the forefront of agentic development and modern developer workflows, while our clients bring their own essential domain expertise. Whether we are getting new products to market, modernizing legacy systems, or helping teams master the skills needed for the next era of engineering, we collaborate across industries to turn technical complexity into a competitive advantage.

Our values

  • Listen first: We are experts in product practices but lifelong learners in the domain of our customers.
  • Learn why: We ask questions and talk to users to understand problem spaces, objectives, and goals, which allows us to deeply invest and drive towards the outcomes of our clients.
  • Love your craft: We love diving into a variety of domains and solving problems. We take pride in delivering value, in communicating progress, and guiding our clients to success.

What would you be doing?

  • Direct People Leadership: Managing a dedicated team of our consultants, including engineers, focusing on their professional growth, performance health, and long‑term career mapping.
  • Client Relationship Management: Serving as the primary executive contact for a portfolio of clients, transforming transactional engagements into enduring strategic partnerships.
  • Engagement Oversight: Maintaining "eyes‑on" supervision of active consulting projects to ensure work quality meets our rigorous internal standards and technical benchmarks.
  • Delivery Governance: Intervening in complex technical or organizational blockers to keep projects on track, ensuring we deliver what we promised—on time and above expectations.
  • Client Success Accountability: Defining and tracking success metrics for every engagement, ensuring that our work creates measurable business value for our partners.
  • Resource & Capacity Planning: Balancing team utilization with project demands to ensure our consultants are challenged but not burned out.
  • AI‑Augmented Delivery Evolution: Leading our teams in the pragmatic adoption of generative tools like GitHub Copilot and Cursor to stay at the cutting edge of consulting efficiency.
  • High‑Performance Culture Cultivation: Build and lead a world class team of engineers and designers. Create an environment of "extreme ownership" where teams are empowered to improve how we build while remaining focused on business outcomes.
  • Market Expansion & Commercial Strategy: Deepen and scale our business growth across the UK and EU, expanding service offerings and scope, volume and commercial performance over time.

We are excited about you, because you:

  • Have a proven background in technical delivery (Engineering, Product, or Architecture) and have successfully transitioned into a high‑level management role.
  • Are an expert at navigating difficult client conversations with radical candor and professionalism.
  • Possess the learning agility to rapidly master and implement emerging AI tooling, such as LLM‑based coding assistants, into a professional engineering workflow.
  • Are an expert at navigating difficult client conversations with radical candor and can synthesize complex problems and propose clear, actionable paths forward.
  • Have a track record of building high‑performing teams where engineers feel supported, challenged, and heard.
  • Demonstrate an uncompromising eye for quality; you know what "good" looks like and aren't afraid to coach others to get there.

If you had worked at Focused over the last 3 months you may have:

  • Conducted 1:1 career development syncs with senior engineers to align their goals with company needs.
  • Rescued a high‑stakes client relationship by identifying a delivery bottleneck and pivoting the team’s technical approach.
  • Reviewed the architectural roadmap for a new 6‑month engagement to ensure it sets us and the client up for success.
  • Partnered with our recruiting team to interview and vet the next wave of consulting talent for the London market.
  • Identified an opportunity for significant sell‑on work or a new piece of business.

What to know before you apply

This role requires the ability to visit client sites across the UK and occasionally in the US. Travel is estimated at 25–40% depending on client needs. Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role in our London office. All applicants must have the permanent right to work in the UK. The expected base salary range for this role in London is £160,000 – £210,000, depending on experience, plus a performance‑based bonus of up to 30% of base and benefits.

As set forth in Focused’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Managing Director employer: Focused

At Focused, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a high-performance culture and prioritises employee growth. Our London office offers a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, and team members are empowered to take ownership of their work while enjoying competitive salaries and performance-based bonuses. With a commitment to continuous learning and the integration of cutting-edge technology, we ensure our employees are well-equipped to excel in their careers and make a meaningful impact in the software development landscape.

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Contact Details:

Focused Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Managing Director

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. 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 values and how they align with yours. This will help you show them you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experience and how it relates to the role of Managing Director. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've successfully navigated complex projects in the past.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Managing Director

Technical Delivery
Client Relationship Management
People Leadership
Engagement Oversight
Delivery Governance
Client Success Accountability
Resource & Capacity Planning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Managing Director role. Highlight your experience in technical delivery and client relationship management, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your background aligns with our values and the specific needs of Focused.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:In your application, emphasise your experience in leading teams and managing projects. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide others, so share examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and navigated challenging situations with clients.

Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities:We love candidates who can think on their feet! Include instances where you’ve tackled complex problems or transformed client relationships. This will show us that you have the radical candour and professionalism we value at Focused.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and what we do.

How to prepare for a job interview at Focused

Know Your Craft Inside Out

As a Managing Director, you need to demonstrate your technical expertise. Brush up on the latest trends in software development and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles. Show that you can bridge the gap between technical excellence and strategic vision.

Master Client Conversations

Prepare for tough client scenarios by thinking through potential challenges and how you would address them. Use examples from your experience where you've navigated difficult conversations with professionalism and radical candor. This will show your ability to build trust and influence.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

Be ready to talk about how you’ve developed high-performing teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you've supported engineers' growth and fostered an environment of extreme ownership. Highlight your approach to balancing team utilisation with project demands.

Emphasise Measurable Success

Discuss how you've defined and tracked success metrics in previous roles. Be prepared to explain how your work has created measurable business value for clients. This aligns perfectly with Focused's commitment to delivering quality outcomes and maintaining rigorous standards.