Head Of Development in Stretford

Head Of Development in Stretford

Stretford Full-Time 72000 - 84000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale a dynamic engineering team in EdTech, balancing hands-on development with leadership.
  • Company: Fast-growing EdTech/SaaS company revolutionising learning through technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, flexible hours, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of education technology while leading a talented team.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in software development leadership and full-stack JavaScript expertise.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and innovative environment.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.

A fast-growing EdTech / SaaS company is looking for an experienced Head of Development to lead and scale its engineering function across web and immersive technologies. The business builds interactive, technology-driven learning platforms that bridge the gap between theoretical and practical education. As the company continues to scale across the UK and US, this role will be critical in shaping the technical architecture, delivery capability and long‑term engineering strategy.

This is a senior leadership role for a hands‑on engineering manager who enjoys balancing active development work with team leadership. You’ll take ownership of system architecture, code quality and delivery, while managing and developing a multidisciplinary team of web and Unity developers.

Role Responsibilities
  • Lead, manage and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team of 6+ across web and immersive (Unity) technologies.
  • Balance hands‑on development with leadership responsibilities, contributing directly to web-based projects while overseeing broader technical delivery.
  • Own and evolve the platform’s system architecture, ensuring scalability, performance, maintainability and security as the product and team grow.
  • Set and uphold engineering best practices through code reviews, technical standards and mentoring across JavaScript and C# stacks.
  • Work closely with a Project Manager to plan capacity, estimate work, prioritise delivery and ensure projects are delivered on time and to a high standard.
  • Provide technical oversight and architectural guidance for Unity‑based development, supporting best practices in C# even if not coding daily.
  • Design and support AI‑enabled integrations, working with external APIs and scalable integration patterns to enable current and future platform features.
  • Ensure development workflows, tooling and deployment processes are efficient, reliable and well documented.
  • Maintain oversight of cloud infrastructure, environments and data flows, ensuring systems are robust, secure and well managed.
  • Identify technical risks, architectural gaps and delivery bottlenecks early, proposing pragmatic solutions.
  • Support hiring and onboarding of new developers, working with senior leadership to identify skills or capacity gaps.
  • Communicate technical decisions, architectural direction and delivery progress clearly to senior leadership and non‑technical stakeholders.
  • Help define the long‑term evolution of the engineering function, including future team structures and leadership layers.
Requirements
  • Proven experience leading and managing a software development team in a growing or scaling technology organisation.
  • Strong hands‑on experience as a full‑stack JavaScript developer, with production experience using technologies such as React.js, Astro and Express.js.
  • Solid working knowledge of C#, with the ability to guide and support Unity‑based development teams from a leadership perspective.
  • Demonstrated experience owning system architecture and making technical decisions that balance delivery speed with long‑term scalability.
  • Experience designing and integrating AI‑enabled services using external APIs and modern integration patterns.
  • Comfortable working across cloud‑based systems, APIs, data flows and JSON‑driven architectures.
  • Experience running code reviews, mentoring engineers and raising engineering standards across a team.
  • Strong delivery mindset, with experience collaborating closely with project or product management.
  • Confident communicator, able to explain technical concepts clearly to non‑technical stakeholders.
  • Pragmatic, organised and proactive, with the ability to foresee technical risks and guide teams through growth and change.
  • Willing to remain hands‑on while the team scales, with a clear interest in growing into a larger leadership role over time.
Benefits
  • Circa ÂŁ80,000 base package | ÂŁ100,000–£112,000 total package.
  • Hybrid working: Monday and Friday from home, Tuesday–Thursday in Manchester.
  • Flexible working hours (7.5‑hour day, 08:00–09:00 start).
  • 23 days holiday plus.

Head Of Development in Stretford employer: Langham Recruitment

Join a dynamic EdTech/SaaS company in Manchester that prioritises innovation and employee growth. With a hybrid working model, flexible hours, and a commitment to developing cutting-edge learning platforms, this role offers the chance to lead a talented engineering team while maintaining hands-on involvement in exciting projects. Enjoy a competitive total package and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and technical excellence.
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Contact Detail:

Langham Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Of Development in Stretford

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the EdTech and SaaS space! Attend meetups, webinars, or industry events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Show Off Your Skills

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your hands-on experience with JavaScript and C#, and talk about how you've led teams to success. Let them see the real you and what you can bring to the table.

✨Tailor Your Approach

Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to fit their needs. Research the company’s tech stack and challenges, and come prepared with ideas on how you can help them scale their engineering function.

✨Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to reach out directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Development in Stretford

Leadership
Team Management
Full-Stack JavaScript Development
React.js
Astro
Express.js
C#
Unity Development
System Architecture
AI Integration
API Design
Cloud Infrastructure Management
Code Review
Mentoring
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Head of Development role. Highlight your leadership experience and hands-on development skills, especially in JavaScript and C#. We want to see how you can contribute to our engineering function!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about EdTech and how your background aligns with our mission. Be sure to mention any relevant projects or achievements that showcase your ability to lead and innovate.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, don’t shy away from discussing your technical skills. We’re looking for someone who can own system architecture and guide teams in web and Unity technologies. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in these areas!

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 the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values!

How to prepare for a job interview at Langham Recruitment

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

As a Head of Development, you'll need to showcase your deep understanding of both JavaScript and C#. Brush up on your knowledge of frameworks like React.js and Unity. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects and how they can be applied to the company's platform.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

This role is all about balancing hands-on development with team leadership. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed and developed engineering teams. Highlight your experience in mentoring and setting engineering best practices, as this will show you can elevate the team's performance.

✨Communicate Clearly

You'll need to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts on system architecture and delivery processes in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between tech and business, which is crucial for this role.

✨Showcase Problem-Solving Abilities

Be prepared to discuss how you've identified and mitigated technical risks in previous projects. Share specific examples where you've proposed solutions to architectural gaps or delivery bottlenecks. This will highlight your proactive approach and strategic thinking, which are key for leading a growing team.

Head Of Development in Stretford
Langham Recruitment
Location: Stretford

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