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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software development strategy and oversee end-to-end delivery across platforms.
- Company: Dynamic financial services institution with a clear path to executive leadership.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, equity participation, and comprehensive benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for growth in a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Step into a high-impact role with a clear progression to Deputy CTO.
- Qualifications: Extensive software development experience, strong Java skills, and proven leadership in engineering.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
Our client is a financial services institution seeking a Head of Software Development to join their Technology function in a senior leadership capacity. This is a high-impact role with a clear pathway to Deputy CTO.
The Role
This is a strategic leadership position responsible for driving the software engineering function, owning the end-to-end development lifecycle, and shaping the organisation’s technology direction. The role combines hands-on technical expertise with senior stakeholder engagement and leadership of distributed engineering teams. There is a defined progression path into a Deputy CTO position, making this an excellent opportunity for an ambitious leader looking to step into executive-level responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and execute the software development strategy aligned to business objectives
- Partner with senior leadership to shape the technology roadmap
- Own end-to-end software delivery across platforms and products
- Lead architectural decisions and ensure the scalability of systems
- Drive best practice across Agile, DevOps and engineering standards
- Manage and develop offshore and distributed engineering teams
- Build a high-performance, collaborative engineering culture
- Oversee vendor relationships and offshore resource planning
- Contribute to governance, risk and compliance initiatives
Skills and Experience
- Extensive experience in software development with strong Java expertise
- Proven leadership experience managing engineering teams
- Experience overseeing the full software delivery lifecycle
- Background within financial services, ideally capital markets
- Strong understanding of cloud, microservices and modern architectures
- Experience working with offshore or distributed teams
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on
- (Desirable) Experience in a high-growth or scaling environment
- Exposure to AI or emerging technologies
- Knowledge of regulatory and security frameworks such as SOC2 or ISO
- Background in fintech, SaaS or enterprise platforms
Package
- Competitive base salary and performance-related bonus
- Equity participation aligned with seniority
- Clear progression to Deputy CTO
- Hybrid working model, comprehensive benefits package including healthcare and pension
Head of Software development employer: MW Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
MW Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software development
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the financial services sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that Head of Software Development role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience managing engineering teams and driving software delivery. They want to see how you can shape their technology direction.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for technical discussions! Brush up on your Java expertise and be ready to discuss architectural decisions and modern software practices. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on knowledge alongside your strategic vision.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you prepare for interviews and connect with the right opportunities. Don’t miss out on the chance to step into that Deputy CTO pathway!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Software Development role. Highlight your experience in software development, leadership, and any relevant financial services background. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
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 strategic leadership position. Share your vision for the software development strategy and how you can drive the technology direction at our client’s organisation.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves managing distributed engineering teams, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've built high-performance cultures and managed offshore resources effectively. We love seeing examples of collaboration and team success!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we’re excited to see your application come through!
How to prepare for a job interview at MW Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Java expertise and be ready to discuss your experience with cloud, microservices, and modern architectures. The interviewers will want to see that you can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk when it comes to technical knowledge.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed engineering teams in the past. Highlight your experience in overseeing the full software delivery lifecycle and how you've built a high-performance culture. This role is all about leadership, so make sure you demonstrate your ability to inspire and guide teams.
✨Align with Business Objectives
Understand the company's business goals and be ready to discuss how you would define and execute a software development strategy that aligns with those objectives. Showing that you can think strategically will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be prepared to talk about your experience in stakeholder management. Think of specific instances where you've successfully partnered with senior leadership to shape technology roadmaps or drive best practices. Communication is key, so show them you can engage effectively with various stakeholders.