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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software development teams and ensure timely delivery of innovative health tech solutions.
- Company: Established HealthTech organisation in Manchester with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal development.
- Why this job: Make an immediate impact on a major clinical trial project while balancing leadership and technical influence.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software development and 3+ years leading technical teams.
- Other info: Join a diverse team focused on continual improvement and positive culture.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.
Our client is a well-established HealthTech organisation based in Manchester and they’re looking to hire a Head of Software Development to lead the development teams responsible for their software products. They’ve recently secured a major clinical trial programme going live soon, and with the CTO shifting focus towards strategic work and pre/post sales, this hire is business-critical and needs to be made ASAP.
You’ll provide leadership across delivery, people management, and technical direction—ensuring the team ships securely, compliantly, and on time. Split: ~60% managerial / 40% technical (hands-on through leadership, mentoring, PR/code reviews—not wall-to-wall coding).
The Why? (Top 3)
- Immediate impact: take ownership of delivery leadership at a pivotal moment as a major clinical trial project goes live.
- Genuine balance: a rare 60/40 leadership-to-technical split—people leadership plus real technical influence.
- Flexibility built in: 10am–4pm core hours, 37.5-hour week, with flexibility and compressed hours available.
Team & Culture
Approximately 70 people across the organisation. A collaborative, upbeat and diverse environment where cultural fit matters as much as technical capability. A balanced mix of senior and junior developers, including colleagues who joined via TUPE from public-sector/NHS contexts. This is a “player-coach” leadership role: grounded, supportive and delivery-minded.
What you’ll be doing
Managerial
- Direct line management of 4–8 people: workload planning, 1:1s, coaching, progression and performance management.
- Foster a culture of continual improvement and personal development, ensuring knowledge-sharing across the team and wider business.
- Support team growth: working with the People function and CTO on job specs, shortlisting, interviewing, onboarding and induction.
- Protect the team from burnout—promoting a positive, fair, and recognition-led culture.
Technical
- Provide high-level technical direction with a business-wide view—balancing delivery, client needs, risk and compliance.
- Mentor and guide engineers; contribute via pull requests and code reviews.
- Lead on managing technical debt and surfacing technical risks early.
- Provide estimates for larger pieces of work and ensure effective tooling/processes are in place.
- Ensure key technical documentation is maintained (diagrams, notes, decisions).
Operational
- Partner with other heads of function to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
- Work closely with Delivery/PM to successfully deliver projects.
- Support Quality through technical audits and adherence to process.
- Collaborate with IT/Data to strengthen DevOps practices and cyber security posture.
- Track team metrics and progress against objectives; ensure clear communication to/from the dev teams.
Strategic
- Input into technical and product strategy alongside Product, CTO and senior stakeholders.
- Contribute to realistic roadmaps and proactively manage technical risks.
What we’re looking for
- Degree in a relevant subject, 5+ years in software development, and 3+ years leading technical teams with line management.
- Strong modern web development knowledge—ideally .NET / C# / Angular, plus cloud familiarity (preferably Azure).
- Proven delivery record: delivering technical work within time/budget constraints; strong SDLC knowledge including release processes and risk.
- Strong people leadership: mentoring, motivation, objective-setting, training, performance management.
- Confident hiring manager: writing job descriptions, shortlisting, interviewing, onboarding.
- Jira / Confluence (bonus if you’ve configured Jira).
- DevOps mindset and exposure to DevOps practices.
- Experience in regulated environments (e.g., clinical trials / GCP / GxP).
- Hands-on testing and/or requirements analysis exposure.
Interview Process
- Initial screening call with the CTO.
- Technical interview (led by another team member).
- Final-stage conversation focused on leadership approach and cultural fit.
And finally… Who are we?
FORT – Future of Recruiting Technologists is a technical & IT search consultancy specialising in placing experienced professionals & teams with leading technology companies in the North of England. We strive to provide candidates with the most transformative opportunities available. For our clients, we know technical expertise alone doesn’t make the best hire—so we focus on cultural and technical fit through deep understanding of each business and delivery need. Our values underpin every interaction: Continual Development, Compassion and Consistency.
Head of Software Engineering (60% leadership / 40% technical) in Manchester employer: FORT
Contact Detail:
FORT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software Engineering (60% leadership / 40% technical) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the HealthTech space, especially those who might know about this Head of Software Engineering role. A personal recommendation can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your leadership and technical skills. Think of examples where you've successfully led teams or tackled complex projects. We want to see that you can balance both managerial and technical aspects!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your cultural fit! Research the company’s values and be ready to discuss how you align with their collaborative and diverse environment. We love candidates who can bring positivity and support to the team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re here to help you every step of the way in landing that dream job.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software Engineering (60% leadership / 40% technical) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Software Engineering role. Highlight your leadership experience and technical expertise, especially in areas like .NET, C#, and cloud technologies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams, managed projects, and contributed to successful software delivery in the past.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership approach. We want to know how you foster team growth, promote a positive culture, and manage performance while ensuring delivery excellence.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our collaborative environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at FORT
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around .NET, C#, and Angular. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed technical debt and compliance in previous roles, as this will show your hands-on experience and strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Since this role is heavily focused on leadership, think about examples that highlight your people management skills. Prepare to discuss how you've fostered a positive team culture, mentored junior developers, and handled performance management.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the HealthTech industry and the specific challenges it faces, especially regarding clinical trials. This will help you articulate how your technical direction can align with business goals and client needs during the interview.
✨Prepare for Cultural Fit Questions
Given the emphasis on cultural fit, be ready to discuss how you promote a collaborative environment. Think of examples where you've encouraged knowledge-sharing and protected your team from burnout, as these are key aspects of the role.
