Head of Digital Front End Technology

Handelsbanken is looking to significantly improve its customer touchpoints and needs a Head of Digital Front End Technology to take technical ownership of these areas. The role will be responsible for building up and then leading a modern software capability in the UK that can deliver outstanding web and mobile offerings at pace.

Main Responsibilities

• Hire and lead a technical team.
• Take technical ownership of our Digital Front End applications.
• Provide technical strategic direction for both new and pre-existing services.
• Improve the ways of working with Group teams.
• Support the transition of digital offerings onto the Cloud.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and influence the transition to a modern agile mindset.

Technical Leadership

• Take system ownership of UK web and mobile services whether Group or UK owned.
• Lead the technical designs and oversee all engineering related aspects.
• Provide input into technical buy-vs-build decisions as the mobile/web journeys expand, ensuring alignment with our modernisation strategy.
• Safely and securely incorporate third-party or Group solutions into our Digital offerings.
• Support the shift to performant, micro-service based Cloud applications.
• Evaluate technical efficiency and long-term costs, time to market, and technical debt.
• Ensure all products and services are supported by excellent third-line support.
• Stay up to date with the latest digital technology trends and incorporate them into system designs.

Delivery Aspects

• Own technical aspects of delivery for our digital customer touchpoints.
• Optimise delivery throughput for web front end and back end components.
• Lead technical initiatives to improve delivery efficiency (e.g., moving away from Athena, controlling build pipelines, improving ways of working).
• Support and enhance existing agile ways of working.
• Integrate Agile and Waterfall where necessary.

People Leadership of the UK Web and Mobile Teams

• Build, continuously develop and lead a modern software capability (Java, React, native mobile) in the UK.
• Line-manage, mentor and coach engineers.
• Share best practice across teams and empower teams to drive change.
• Provide structured performance reviews to support ongoing professional development.
• Translate department-level objectives into key results for your team.

Ideal Candidate

• At least 2 years of people-management experience in product engineering or delivery.
• Hands-on experience in full-stack web-based and native app product development, including database, build pipeline and networking technologies.
• Demonstrable experience of Agile and of leading and scaling distributed autonomous engineering teams across remote locations.
• Experience with Java, React and native iOS/Android mobile would be a strong plus.
• Ability to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and quickly acquire new skill sets.
• Track record of delivering well-engineered solutions using current technologies.
• Experience running engineering teams over a sustained period with strong leadership across development, quality, support, architecture and integration.
• Knowledge of developing and operating modern distributed software applications in the cloud.
• Experienced in product development life cycles and working in a lean-agile way.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to act tactically and operationally when needed.
• Strong people-leadership skills and the ability to inspire and grow talent.
• Adept at influencing others and building collaborative, productive relationships.
• Clear and compelling vision for the future incorporating diverse input.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to analyse, articulate and present complex issues clearly.
• Professional standard of presentation skills.
• Ability to build strong professional relationships at all levels and represent Handelsbanken effectively.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with impact across all levels.
• Integrity and discretion.
• Ability to work well under pressure with attention to detail and an organised approach to work.

Company Information

Handelsbanken is a relationship bank with a decentralised way of working, a strong local presence thanks to a nationwide network of branches, and a long-term approach to customer relations. Each branch operates as a local business, enabling decision-making at the local level and providing a bespoke service. The focus is always on the needs of the individual customer and not on the sale of specific products. We are embarking on an exciting Business Transformation journey. This transformation will significantly enhance our technology systems, processes and services, and bring evolution to our ways of working. Join us in this transformative journey, where your dedication, adaptability and commitment will play a crucial role in shaping the future of banking for our valued customers.

The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities, and we encourage everyone to apply irrespective of socio-economic background, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, race, veteran status, marital or civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.

What is in it for you?

• Wide range of learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive salary and extensive benefits (private medical insurance, income protection, life assurance).
• Market-leading pension contribution of 15% paid by the bank, investable in a range of funds (including ESG and Shariah funds).

Application Next Steps

Your journey with us begins once you have submitted your application. One of our Handelsbanken recruiters will review your details and may organise a phone conversation if you match the role requirements. If there is a mutual fit, we will extend an invitation for an interview. There will be two stages of interview, including technical and competency interviews. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to provide support – e.g. if you need additional time to prepare for an interview or you have any requirements for any part of the interview/hiring process – just let us know by email at uk_talent@careers.handelsbanken.co.uk. This advert will be live for a minimum of two weeks. After that, the closing date could change at any time depending on the number of responses received.