Head of Development - CTO

Head of Development - CTO

Full-Time 100000 - 130000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Harrington Starr

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering teams to build innovative trading systems and execution platforms.
  • Company: Award-winning SaaS provider in financial services technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, premium benefits, and influence at board level.
  • Other info: Join a strong engineering culture focused on quality and growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-stakes financial domain with long-term projects.
  • Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in Java and JavaScript development.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 £ per year.

London – Hybrid – 3 days a week onsite. Permanent Role.

Harrington Starr has partnered with a Global Financial Services Technology Trading Systems and Front Office Execution Software House who is looking to hire a Head of Development / Deputy CTO to join an Engineering Team in London where you will work directly with the CTO and manage a team of 20 Software Engineers. They are an award-winning SaaS Provider for Front Office Trading Systems and Execution Platform working with Java on the back end, JavaScript on the front end and Full Stack Development.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Lead engineering teams building core Trading Systems and Execution Platforms.
  • Own architecture and delivery of systems covering data, workflows, and controls.
  • Drive platform scalability, resilience, and regulatory readiness.
  • Collaborate closely with Product, DevOps, Teams.
  • Develop engineering leaders and embed strong delivery discipline.

What we’re looking for:

  • Senior leadership experience and hands-on Development in Java engineering environments on the back end.
  • Experience and hands-on Development with JavaScript.
  • Strong domain knowledge across Capital Markets and Trading systems.
  • Exposure to private credit, fixed income, bonds, or similar asset classes.
  • Experience building data-heavy, workflow-driven, highly regulated platforms.
  • Able to bridge technical execution with business and client requirements.

Why this role:

  • High-impact leadership role in a specialist financial domain.
  • Long-term platform build rather than short-term delivery.
  • Strong engineering culture with real investment in quality.
  • Competitive senior-level package and influence at board level.
  • Premium level benefits with Basic Salary.

Head of Development - CTO employer: Harrington Starr

As a leading Global Financial Services Technology firm, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. Our London-based team enjoys the benefits of a hybrid working model, competitive senior-level packages, and ample opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to the development of cutting-edge trading systems in a supportive environment that values quality and long-term success.

Harrington Starr

Contact Details:

Harrington Starr Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Development - CTO

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the financial services tech space. Attend industry meetups or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential employers. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects or contributions to open-source software, make sure to highlight them. We want to see your hands-on experience with Java and JavaScript, so don’t hold back on showcasing your best work.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s products and their engineering culture. We recommend practising common technical questions and scenarios related to trading systems. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel when discussing your leadership experience.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to get your application noticed. We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can lead engineering teams and drive innovation in financial technology. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development - CTO

Leadership Experience
Java Development
JavaScript Development
Full Stack Development
Architecture Design
Platform Scalability
Regulatory Compliance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Development role. Highlight your leadership experience and hands-on development in Java and JavaScript, as well as any relevant work in Capital Markets.

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 engineering teams and delivered complex systems, and don’t forget to mention your passion for building scalable platforms.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:In your application, be sure to demonstrate your technical knowledge, especially around trading systems and execution platforms. We want to see how you can bridge the gap between technical execution and business needs.

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 engineering team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Harrington Starr

Know Your Tech Inside Out

As a potential Head of Development, you need to be well-versed in Java and JavaScript. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies. Prepare to explain how you've tackled challenges in building data-heavy platforms and how you ensure scalability and resilience.

Showcase Leadership Experience

This role requires strong leadership skills, so be prepared to share specific examples of how you've led engineering teams in the past. Discuss your approach to developing engineering leaders and embedding delivery discipline within your team. Highlight any successful projects where your leadership made a significant impact.

Understand the Financial Landscape

Familiarise yourself with capital markets, trading systems, and asset classes like private credit and fixed income. Be ready to discuss how your domain knowledge can bridge technical execution with business needs. This will show that you not only understand the tech but also the industry context.

Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios

Collaboration is key in this role, so think about how you've worked closely with product and DevOps teams in the past. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and how it has led to successful project outcomes. This will highlight your ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment.