At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a high-performing engineering team in a fast-growing digital banking business.
- Company: Join a dynamic digital banking company focused on innovation and user-centric services.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holidays, mental health support, and a competitive salary.
- Other info: Flexible remote-first culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role where engineering drives the product and culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading engineering teams, ideally in fintech or digital banking.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.
We’re working with one of our long-standing customers on a crucial hire: Head of Engineering. They’re a fast-growing digital banking business with a reputation for doing things differently, serving hundreds of thousands of customers across the UK with accessible, inclusive, and user-focused financial services.
This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to take a key leadership role within a business where engineering is at the heart of the product and where you’ll be supported, trusted, and expected to make a real impact. You’ll join a culture where collaboration, openness, and doing the right thing for customers and colleagues guide decisions.
The engineering team is focused on modern practices, continuous improvement, and strong Agile delivery. You’ll shape the technical vision, lead the strategic roadmap, and build a high-performance, values-driven culture. You’ll also contribute to company-wide discussions and help shape the future of technology and the business.
What you’ll be doing
As Head of Engineering, you’ll lead the delivery of high-quality, secure, and scalable software across the platform. You’ll work closely with the CTO and other senior leaders to build and empower a brilliant team while ensuring the tech supports growth, innovation, and top-tier customer experiences.
Your core responsibilities:
- Lead, inspire and grow the engineering team, setting the tone for ownership, autonomy, and continuous learning.
- Shape and drive the engineering strategy in line with broader product and business goals.
- Champion Agile delivery and a modern engineering culture across the teams.
- Take full ownership of the SDLC from code to deployment, testing, and QA.
- Drive the adoption of DevOps principles, CI/CD pipelines, and automation best practices.
- Work cross-functionally with Product, Delivery, Ops, and Compliance teams to ensure the right outcomes for the business.
- Represent engineering at senior leadership level and support business-wide initiatives.
- Ensure the tech stack is secure, resilient, and compliant while identifying and mitigating technical risk.
- Stay ahead of emerging trends and guide the introduction of new tools, frameworks, and approaches.
Your ideal candidate
You’re a proven engineering leader who’s equally comfortable talking about technology, business, and people. You’ve got a track record of building high-performing teams and scaling platforms that are robust, secure, and user-focused.
You’ll bring:
- Experience leading engineering teams ideally in financial services, digital banking, or fintech.
- Deep understanding of Agile, DevOps, and modern software delivery.
- Hands-on technical knowledge with one or more modern languages and cloud-native architectures.
- A strong grasp of compliance, risk, and regulatory requirements in a digital product setting.
- A collaborative leadership style, able to build alignment across cross-functional teams.
- The ability to mentor, coach, and develop engineers at all levels.
- A passion for clean code, secure by design principles, and continuous improvement.
What’s on offer?
This business genuinely looks after its people. You’ll find a culture built on trust, flexibility, and balance—where remote-first working is the norm, but time in the Manchester office is always available.
You’ll also get:
- A salary to match your experience and impact.
- Hybrid working with full remote support.
- Generous holiday allowance + your birthday off.
- Company pension.
- Paid charity, wedding, and wellbeing days.
- Mental health support including trained first aiders and virtual GP access.
- Benefits via YuLife and regular team socials.
Location and package: Manchester, hybrid working, 2 days a week in the office. Package £100,000 - £120,000 DOE (possible wiggle room on this if needed).
Head of Engineering in Manchester employer: Inara
Join a forward-thinking technology consultancy that values innovation and inclusivity, where your expertise as a User Experience Designer will directly impact public sector services. With a commitment to employee growth, you'll collaborate with diverse teams on meaningful projects, all while enjoying a flexible work culture that encourages creativity and professional development. Located in a vibrant area, this role offers the unique opportunity to shape user experiences that genuinely improve lives, making it an excellent place for passionate designers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering in Manchester
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Inara. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Inara.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Inara's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inara
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Inara.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Inara will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Inara employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
