At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to build and enhance our compliance software with innovative solutions.
- Company: Join a multi-award winning tech company with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and a cycle to work scheme.
- Other info: Great progression opportunities and a commitment to diversity and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while mentoring others in a dynamic tech environment.
- Qualifications: Strong background in development languages and experience with team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Lead Developer to join our team and play a key role in building, maintaining, and improving the software that powers our compliance platform. This is a hands‑on leadership role, where you'll work closely with Product, QA, Architects, and other developers/technologists to deliver reliable, scalable, and secure features.
The successful candidate will be a proactive, approachable technical leader and people manager with a strong development background and a passion for high‑quality engineering. You will be responsible for leading technical initiatives, mentoring team members and ensuring high‑quality software development through problem solving and strategic thinking, taking technology, time and budgets into consideration.
Location: available in both our Ilkley and Cardiff offices.
VARIED DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead technical delivery within the team, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, maintainable, and aligned to business needs.
- Collaborate with software architects and team to develop robust software solutions influencing non‑functional requirements such as performance, security, usability and accessibility.
- Drive and uphold engineering standards including clean code, testing practices, and secure development.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues/bugs independently and as a team.
- Provide regular engineering metrics, summary reports and trend analysis.
- Identify areas for continuous improvement in existing systems and processes, and work with teams to implement enhancements.
- Work with wider team to create and maintain documentation for software development processes, code, and system architecture.
- Willingness to explore new areas, tools, and technologies to enhance project outcomes and personal growth.
- Effectively communicate with stakeholders, understanding needs and managing expectations.
- Work cross‑functionally with Product, QA, and wider business teams to deliver high‑quality software outcomes.
- Support planning and estimation by balancing technical quality, timelines, and budget constraints.
LINE MANAGEMENT & PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT
- Provide line management for developers within the team, including regular 1:1s, feedback, coaching, and support.
- Support performance management processes, including objective setting, development plans, and review cycles.
- Help team members grow through mentoring, technical guidance, and identifying learning opportunities.
- Foster a positive, collaborative team culture, encouraging ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Support recruitment activities where required (e.g. interviews, onboarding, supporting new starters).
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE?
- Strong technical background in multiple development languages and frameworks (ideally PHP Symfony or .NET).
- Solid knowledge of JavaScript ecosystem (Angular or Vue.js a bonus).
- Competent with MySQL or MSSQL, and experience of large datasets.
- Experience with Git, Docker and modern development workflows.
- Familiarity with CI/CD tooling, release automation and test frameworks (e.g. PHPUnit).
- Able to write and maintain automated tests as part of your development work.
- Able to conduct code reviews and recommend improvements.
- Knowledge of cloud technologies, especially Azure.
- Understand and use Secure by Design practices.
- Experience building and consuming APIs.
- Proven ability to mentor, coach, and upskill other developers.
- Experience supporting team performance, feedback, and personal development.
- Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Have a desire to keep up to date with technology changes.
WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AT SMARTSEARCH?
We are a multi‑award winning Tech company with an aspirational mentality. Some of our most recent recognitions include: named in the renowned RegTech100 list for 2024, listed in the Top 100 Fasted Growing Tech Companies by Northern Tech Awards 2024 as well as being named Technology Provider of the Year by Corporate Finance Awards 2024. We have been Great Place To Work Certified since 2022. There are excellent progression opportunities due to our growth and you will have personal development goals, regular feedback and support. We are a diverse and inclusive team committed to promoting Diversity & Inclusion and Social Responsibility. Through our DE&I group, charitable initiatives and support for local schools, we actively foster a positive Impact on our community.
COMPANY BENEFITS
- 25 days holiday rising to 30 with each year of service.
- Private Medical Insurance covering dental and optical.
- Company pension scheme.
- Life Assurance – 4x your annual salary.
- 1 day paid volunteering per year.
- Enhanced maternity / paternity offerings.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- On site gym.
Lead Developer in Ilkley employer: Occupop
At SmartSearch, we pride ourselves on being a multi-award winning tech company that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With excellent progression opportunities, comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance and generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to personal development, we empower our employees to thrive both professionally and personally in our Ilkley and Cardiff offices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Developer in Ilkley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work at SmartSearch. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you have a portfolio or GitHub account, make sure it’s up to date with your best projects. This is your chance to demonstrate your coding prowess and problem-solving abilities directly.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve led teams, tackled challenges, and contributed to high-quality software development.
✨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 the SmartSearch team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Developer in Ilkley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Developer role. Highlight your experience with PHP Symfony or .NET, and showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your technical skills and leadership abilities.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a hands-on leadership role, don’t forget to mention your experience in mentoring and managing teams. Share specific examples of how you've supported team members' growth and fostered a positive team culture.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills at a glance. We love a well-structured application!
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 shows you’re keen on joining our awesome team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Occupop
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially PHP Symfony or .NET, and the JavaScript ecosystem. Brush up on your knowledge of MySQL or MSSQL, and be ready to discuss how you've used these in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Developer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to mentor and manage a team. Prepare examples of how you've supported team performance, provided feedback, and fostered a positive team culture in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face technical questions or challenges during the interview. Practice troubleshooting complex issues and be ready to explain your thought process. Highlight your experience with CI/CD tooling and secure development practices.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated with stakeholders in the past. Think about examples where you managed expectations and collaborated cross-functionally with other teams.
