Development Manager in London

Development Manager in London

London Full-Time 85000 - 89000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Kaplan International

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead software delivery and optimise team collaboration for seamless integration.
  • Company: Join Kaplan International Pathways, a leader in education with a global impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, and generous leave plus discounts on courses.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career progression opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of software delivery while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing complex software delivery and strong CI/CD knowledge required.

The predicted salary is between 85000 - 89000 £ per year.

We are looking for Development Managers to join our team. We are seeking a strategic and technical Development Manager to join our Application Engineering and Architecture Team. This role is unique: you will own the "production line" of our software delivery. While we have multiple distributed development teams shipping code, we need to eliminate friction and ensure seamless integration. You will not just be managing people; you will be the architect of our flow. You will coordinate teams to optimise cadence, professionalise our release capability, and ensure that our delivery ordering prevents technical debt. You will be the guardian of our platform's integrity and the driver of our engineering velocity. As the Development Manager you will work intimately with the QA Manager, Solution Architects, Analytics Engineers, and the Portfolio Delivery Team. Your mission is to streamline our development cycle through lightweight governance, automation, and artificial intelligence. This is an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled Development Manager who is looking to expand their skills and build their career with an industry leader.

What you’ll bring to the role:

  • Demonstrable experience managing software delivery in a complex, multi-team environment (e.g., managing interdependencies between distinct Scrum teams or 3rd party vendors).
  • Deep understanding of modern branching strategies (GitFlow vs. Trunk-Based Development), semantic versioning, and the ability to resolve complex merge/deployment conflicts.
  • Practical, hands-on experience with CI/CD tooling (ArgoCD/Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions) and Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform/Bicep).
  • A proven track record of reducing cycle time (lead time for changes) and deployment failure rates through automation and process re-engineering.
  • Strong ability to negotiate with Dev Leads and Project Managers to ensure adherence to our governance standards.

What we offer:

  • 28 days annual leave*
  • Big discounts on Kaplan courses for you and your family
  • 24/7 confidential helpline providing counselling and other support services
  • Company pension contributions
  • Maternity, Adoption, Shared Parental and Paternity/Partner pay which is well above statutory levels

*Please note that the annual leave entitlement will be calculated on a pro rata basis if the role is part time.

How to apply:

Please apply with CV and cover letter no later than 11pm on 14th June 2026. Note, we recommend that you apply at the earliest as we reserve the right to close the role before the closing date if we have gathered a suitable shortlist.

Disability Confident Scheme and Reasonable Adjustments:

At Kaplan International Pathways, we're dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive global workforce. As equal opportunity employers, we ensure fair treatment for all employees, safeguarding them from discrimination based on protected characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010, and beyond. We actively welcome individuals from varied backgrounds to apply for roles within our organisation, appreciating the distinct viewpoints and contributions they offer.

Development Manager in London employer: Kaplan International

Kaplan International Pathways is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a competitive salary alongside a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and discounts on courses for employees and their families. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, the company fosters a supportive work culture where innovative ideas are encouraged, and employees can thrive in a hybrid working environment, particularly from its London office. This role as Development Manager not only allows you to lead strategic software delivery but also positions you within a dynamic team dedicated to optimising engineering processes and enhancing career development opportunities.

Kaplan International

Contact Details:

Kaplan International Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Development Manager in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Development Manager role or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their tech stack, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your skills in managing software delivery.

Tip Number 3

Show off your projects! If you've worked on relevant software delivery projects, create a portfolio or case studies to demonstrate your impact. This will help you stand out and give interviewers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Kaplan International Pathways.

We think you need these skills to ace Development Manager in London

Software Delivery Management
Team Coordination
Modern Branching Strategies
Semantic Versioning
CI/CD Tooling (ArgoCD, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions)
Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform, Bicep)
Automation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing software delivery and any relevant technical skills. We want to see how you can own the 'production line' of our software delivery!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've streamlined development cycles or reduced deployment failure rates in the past.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience with CI/CD tooling and modern branching strategies. We’re looking for someone who knows how to build the pipes, not just use them, so make that clear in your application!

Apply Early!:We recommend applying as soon as possible since we might close the role early if we find the right candidate. Head over to our website to submit your application and don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kaplan International

Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of CI/CD tooling and modern branching strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've used tools like Jenkins or GitHub Actions in past projects, and be prepared to explain the benefits of different branching strategies like GitFlow versus Trunk-Based Development.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Development Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to manage interdependencies between teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coordinated multiple teams in the past, focusing on how you resolved conflicts and ensured smooth delivery.

Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Abilities

Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've reduced cycle times or deployment failure rates through automation. Highlight any process re-engineering you've implemented and how it positively impacted your team's performance.

Understand the Company Culture

Familiarise yourself with Kaplan International Pathways and their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to fostering an inclusive environment within the team.