At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop high-performing engineering teams while driving innovative technology delivery.
- Company: Dynamic investment management firm undergoing a tech transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity for leadership, and influence on technology strategy.
- Other info: Exciting chance to redefine engineering operations and drive impactful change.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering with AI and modern practices in a hands-on role.
- Qualifications: Experience in software engineering and people leadership, with a passion for AI.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
I'm working with a highly successful investment management business undergoing a significant technology transformation and looking to hire a Head of Engineering to report directly into the CTO. This is not a traditional engineering management role. We're looking for a hands‑on technical leader, someone who still thinks like a Principal Engineer but has developed enough leadership experience to build, mentor, and guide high‑performing teams. This role offers the opportunity to lead the evolution of a critical engineering function, taking ownership of technology delivery across proprietary applications, AI platforms, and data & analytics capabilities while helping shape the next generation of software delivery within the business.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead and develop a high‑performing engineering capability while remaining actively involved in technical delivery
- Drive architecture decisions, code quality and engineering best practices
- Lead the transition from external development partners to a sustainable in‑house engineering model
- Shape and execute the organisation's AI‑enabled engineering strategy
- Partner closely with the CTO to define the future technology roadmap
- Influence delivery across application engineering, AI platforms, data and analytics
We're particularly interested in individuals who have strong opinions on modern software development and how AI can fundamentally improve engineering productivity. This isn't about adding more developers. It's about leveraging agentic tooling, AI‑assisted development, specification‑driven engineering and modern delivery practices to help a lean engineering function achieve outsized impact.
Tech environment includes:
- AI platforms (OpenAI, Claude and related tooling)
- Databricks
- Power BI / Analytics platforms
Ideal background:
- Senior Principal Engineer, Staff Engineer, Lead Engineer or Engineering Lead stepping into a broader leadership role
- Around 1–3 years of people leadership experience
- Strong architectural and software engineering fundamentals
- Experience balancing technical leadership with hands‑on contribution
- Genuine interest in AI‑augmented software delivery and engineering transformation
If you're excited by the opportunity to build engineering capability, influence technology strategy and redefine how a modern engineering organisation operates, I'd be happy to share more details. Please get in touch for a confidential discussion.
Head of Engineering employer: Oliver Bernard
Join a forward-thinking investment management firm in London that champions innovation and technology transformation. As a Head of Engineering, you'll thrive in a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and creativity, while enjoying opportunities for professional growth and mentorship. With a focus on AI-driven solutions and modern software practices, this role offers a unique chance to shape the future of engineering within a supportive and ambitious environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering
✨Get Involved in Open-Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects is a brilliant way to showcase your skills and connect with other developers in the community. Not only will you beef up your GitHub profile but you might also catch the eye of someone at Oliver Bernard who values hands-on experience over just theory.
✨Attend Local Tech Meetups
Tech meetups are gold mines for networking and discovering job opportunities, especially in the fast-paced world of software engineering. Check out local listings for events in your area and don’t shy away from introducing yourself. This could lead directly to a temporary position at Oliver Bernard!
✨Showcase Your Work Online
With temporary roles, it’s all about standing out in a short space of time. Create a portfolio website where you highlight your projects and skills. Talk about your code, and provide links to your GitHub repositories. This will not only demonstrate your abilities but will also make it easier for recruiters at Oliver Bernard to see what you bring to the table.
✨Leverage Temporary Job Boards
Don’t forget to check specialised job boards for temporary software development roles. Websites like We Work Remotely or Remote OK often list short-term gigs that can be a perfect fit. Apply directly through our website as well, making sure your application is sharp—temporary roles can move fast!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Skills:Make sure your CV highlights your tech stack and any programming languages you’re proficient in. Include specifics about any frameworks or technologies you’ve worked with; they can make you stand out in the sea of applicants. It’s all about showing that you have the chops we need at Oliver Bernard!
Portfolio 2.0:Since you’re applying for a temporary gig, it’s super important to showcase a portfolio that highlights your best projects. Include links to GitHub or any personal projects that demonstrate what you can do in a real-world environment. This gives us a taste of your style and your problem-solving approach!
Keep It Brief and Relevant:With a temporary position, we want to see your ability to hit the ground running. Be concise in your CV and cover letter; stick to experiences that directly relate to the role. Highlight any previous temporary roles or freelance gigs that show your adaptability and quick learning!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just send a generic cover letter. Personalise it for Head of Engineering at Oliver Bernard! Mention why this temporary role excites you and how you see yourself contributing in the short run. Show us what you've got and why you're the one for this quick turn-around!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oliver Bernard
✨Nail the Technical Skills
For a software engineering role, you'll likely face technical questions or coding tasks during your interview. Brush up on the relevant programming languages and frameworks that Oliver Bernard uses, and don’t forget to practice some coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. Showing your coding prowess can really make you stand out!
✨Prepare for System Design Questions
Even for a temporary role, having a grasp of system design principles can be crucial. Be ready to discuss how you would architect a software solution, including discussing trade-offs, scalability, and performance considerations. Having examples from previous projects can really show off your analytical thinking.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to emphasise your ability to hit the ground running. Highlight experiences where you quickly adapted to new technologies or teams. Let’s make it clear to the interviewers at Oliver Bernard that you can learn on the job and deliver results in a short timeframe!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
Make sure to have a portfolio or GitHub ready showcasing your projects. Having tangible evidence of what you've done—be it personal projects, contributions to open-source, or previous work—can convey how capable you are. Tailor this for what might interest Oliver Bernard, so it's relevant and sparks conversation during your interview.
