At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software development strategy and manage engineering teams in a dynamic financial services environment.
- Company: Join a leading financial services institution with a focus on innovation and technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, equity participation, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Enjoy hybrid working and contribute to cutting-edge projects in a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Step into a high-impact role with a clear path to Deputy CTO and shape the future of technology.
- Qualifications: Extensive software development experience, strong Java skills, and proven leadership in engineering.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ 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 in London employer: MW Recruitment Limited
As a leading City-based bank, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that empowers our employees to thrive. Our Compliance Advisory team plays a crucial role in ensuring regulatory adherence while supporting the business's commercial objectives, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation, we provide our employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed in a fast-paced Capital Markets setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software development in London
✨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
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and leadership experience. Be ready to discuss how you've driven software development strategies and managed distributed teams. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your understanding of modern architectures and cloud technologies during conversations with potential employers. They’ll be keen to see how you can contribute to their tech roadmap and drive best practices.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always looking for ambitious leaders like you to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software development in London
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 driving software engineering and how you can contribute to our technology roadmap.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills, especially your Java expertise and experience with cloud and microservices. We’re looking for someone who can lead architectural decisions, so make sure we see that in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
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. This role demands a solid understanding of the technical aspects, so prepare to showcase your hands-on skills alongside your leadership experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Software Development, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead distributed teams effectively. Think about examples from your past where you've successfully managed engineering teams, driven best practices, or built a collaborative culture. Be ready to share how you engage with stakeholders and influence decision-making.
✨Align with Business Objectives
This role is all about aligning technology with business goals. Prepare to discuss how you've defined and executed software development strategies in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have in financial services, especially in capital markets, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect to engage in conversations about the technology roadmap and architectural decisions. Brush up on governance, risk, and compliance initiatives, and be ready to discuss how you've contributed to these areas in your previous positions. Showing that you can think strategically while also being hands-on will set you apart.