At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire software engineering teams while driving customer-focused software development.
- Company: Join Korn Ferry, a leader in unleashing potential in people and organisations.
- Benefits: Competitive rate, expenses covered, and potential for permanent role.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career advancement and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on commercial software and shape the future of engineering leadership.
- Qualifications: Extensive senior engineering leadership experience and a strong technical background.
We have partnered with our client in their search for an Interim Head of Software Engineering. This is a senior leadership assignment focused on providing continuity and succession capability across an established software development function. The initial priority is the organisation's externally commercialised, customer-facing software, with scope for the successful individual to take broader ownership of the software function and potentially transition into a permanent leadership role.
The successful individual will combine deep technical credibility with senior engineering leadership experience, providing immediate direction to the function while quickly developing an understanding of the existing software estate, architecture, teams and ways of working.
Responsibilities
- Provide senior leadership across an established software development organisation, taking ownership of teams, engineering standards, technical direction and delivery.
- Lead the customer-facing commercial software area as the immediate priority, ensuring engineering is approached with the requirements of external customers, products and commercialisation in mind.
- Rapidly understand the existing software environment and what has already been developed, providing leadership continuity and developing the capability to assume broader ownership of the software function, potentially including internal applications.
Skills Required
- Deep technical credibility, underpinned by a genuine software development background and ideally a career progression through software engineering, architecture or technical leadership into senior engineering management.
- Strong engineering leadership capability, with the ability to lead established development teams, set technical direction and engage credibly with highly experienced technical professionals.
- Strong experience with externally sold/commercial software and an understanding of how developing software for external customers differs from internal application development.
- Product/software business and R&D experience would be advantageous.
Education & Work Experience
- Strong technical and/or academic foundation, combined with a genuine software development background.
- A strong academic/technical foundation is highly desirable rather than a specified degree requirement.
- Significant senior software engineering leadership experience, operating at Head of Engineering level or above.
- Previous Head of Engineering or VP Engineering responsibility, particularly involving established teams and existing products, would be highly desirable.
Location: 3 days per week onsite in London, plus 1 day every second week in Manchester
Rate: £800 - £850, outside IR35; expenses covered
Engagement: 6-month initial DRC, with intent to transition to permanent
Start Date: December
Head of Software Engineering in London employer: Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry Project Solutions is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide opportunities to lead impactful projects in cyber security while enjoying competitive compensation and the flexibility of outside IR35 contracts. Our inclusive culture fosters teamwork and encourages professional advancement, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful contribution in the insurance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software Engineering in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Korn Ferry or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Korn Ferry.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Korn Ferry.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Korn Ferry that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software Engineering in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Korn Ferry.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Korn Ferry and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Korn Ferry
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Korn Ferry uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
