Director of Software Engineering
Director of Software Engineering

Director of Software Engineering

Sheffield Full-Time 54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
J

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and mentor engineering teams while driving product development and agile practices.
  • Company: Join a dynamic social network focused on innovation and real-world impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy remote work flexibility, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Shape a culture of excellence and collaboration while making a difference in technology.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and 5+ years managing software teams required.
  • Other info: Ideal for strategic thinkers passionate about mentoring and building high-performing teams.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.

Remote NI

The Role

As Director of Software Engineering, you’ll operate as a hands-on leader—both coaching and developing talent, while staying close to the technology. You’ll be responsible for building and scaling engineering teams, delivering against a product roadmap, and ensuring engineering quality and consistency. You’ll lead a group of 14–20 engineers, shaping a culture of excellence, feedback, and growth. Working cross-functionally, you’ll drive agile practices and accelerate time-to-value across a portfolio of products and services.

Responsibilities

  • Attract, develop, and retain exceptional engineering talent.
  • Build nimble, high-performing full-stack development teams.
  • Lead engineering, architecture, DevOps, and database practices with a focus on simplicity, scalability, and innovation.
  • Promote a culture of transparency, collaboration, and ownership.
  • Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to align on business and product objectives.
  • Champion agile methodologies to drive efficiency, reduce complexity, and increase delivery velocity.
  • Mentor engineers and new leaders, supporting their career development and technical growth.
  • Identify and eliminate blockers while improving tooling, automation, and development workflows.
  • Promote operational excellence through effective monitoring, alerting, and process improvement.
  • Coordinate cross-team initiatives and ensure successful delivery of complex features.

Requirements:

  • Passionate about building products that make a real-world impact.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience managing software development teams.
  • 1+ years in a Director-level (or equivalent) role, leading 10+ engineers.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to lead remote or distributed teams.
  • Comfortable working through ambiguity and solving complex problems with autonomy.
  • Strong background in object-oriented programming (Java, C#, or C++).
  • Experienced in mentoring new engineering leaders and building productive teams.
  • Deep familiarity with Lean, Agile, or Kanban methodologies.
  • Strategic thinker who balances innovation with execution.
  • Confident working alongside senior leadership and managing stakeholder expectations.
  • Strong project management and delivery skills.

Director of Software Engineering employer: JR United Kingdom

At Hayward Hawk, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, where innovation meets collaboration. Our work culture fosters transparency and ownership, empowering you to lead high-performing engineering teams while enjoying ample opportunities for professional growth and mentorship. With a focus on building impactful products and a commitment to agile methodologies, you'll thrive in an environment that values your contributions and supports your career aspirations.
J

Contact Detail:

JR United Kingdom Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Director of Software Engineering

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the software engineering field, especially those who are already in leadership roles. Attend industry meetups or conferences in Sheffield to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your leadership experience by discussing specific examples of how you've built and scaled engineering teams in previous roles. Be prepared to share your approach to mentoring and developing talent during any informal conversations or interviews.

✨Tip Number 3

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in agile methodologies and be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented these practices in past projects. This will demonstrate your commitment to efficiency and innovation, which is crucial for this role.

✨Tip Number 4

Research the company’s product portfolio and think about how you can contribute to their goals. Prepare thoughtful questions that show your understanding of their challenges and how your experience aligns with their needs.

We think you need these skills to ace Director of Software Engineering

Leadership Skills
Coaching and Mentoring
Full-Stack Development
Agile Methodologies
DevOps Practices
Database Management
Object-Oriented Programming (Java, C#, C++)
Project Management
Communication Skills
Strategic Thinking
Problem-Solving Skills
Team Building
Operational Excellence
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Process Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in software engineering management, particularly any roles where you've led teams of 10 or more engineers. Emphasise your familiarity with Agile methodologies and your ability to drive efficiency.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for building impactful products and detail how your leadership style aligns with the company's culture of transparency and collaboration. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to mentor and develop talent.

Showcase Technical Skills: Include a section in your application that outlines your technical skills, especially in object-oriented programming languages like Java, C#, or C++. Highlight any experience you have with DevOps practices and database management.

Prepare for Interviews: Anticipate questions about your leadership approach and how you handle complex problems. Be ready to discuss your experience with agile practices and how you've successfully built and scaled engineering teams in the past.

How to prepare for a job interview at JR United Kingdom

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Director of Software Engineering, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and develop teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed engineering teams in the past, focusing on your coaching and mentoring experiences.

✨Emphasise Agile Methodologies

Since the role involves championing agile practices, be ready to discuss your experience with Lean, Agile, or Kanban methodologies. Share specific instances where you implemented these practices to improve team efficiency and delivery velocity.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions related to object-oriented programming languages like Java, C#, or C++. Brush up on your knowledge and be prepared to discuss how you've applied these skills in real-world scenarios.

✨Align with Business Objectives

The role requires partnering with executive leadership and stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you've aligned engineering goals with business objectives in previous roles, showcasing your strategic thinking and communication skills.

Director of Software Engineering
JR United Kingdom
J
  • Director of Software Engineering

    Sheffield
    Full-Time
    54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-06-11

  • J

    JR United Kingdom

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