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- Tasks: Lead a team of PHP developers to create innovative assessment delivery systems.
- Company: Join Pearson, the world's leading learning company dedicated to helping everyone achieve their potential.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private pension, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven company that values diversity and innovation in education.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software engineering with strong leadership and agile management experience required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with occasional travel; must be near Manchester, Rotherham, or London.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
JOB TITLE: Software Development Manager
JOB TYPE: Full time
DIVISON: Pearson Assessment Services
LOCATION: Rotherham, Manchester, or London
About Pearson: Our purpose at Pearson is to help everyone achieve their potential through learning. At the heart of this is a commitment to sustainable practices and meaningful, measurable outcomes. We are the world’s leading learning company. Our ability to help people learn is built on our ability to grow with and adapt to a constantly evolving market. Our 18,000+ employees around the world in 70 countries in which we operate are dedicated to doing just that: creating the digital-first, accessible and sustainable learning resources that prepare tens of millions of people each year for a lifetime of learning.
About Pearson Assessment Services: The Pearson Assessment Services (PAS) team provides assessment services to the UK and international assessment markets, supporting government education departments with project management, operational delivery and technical solutions. We are part of Pearson School Qualifications which supports the curriculum, qualifications, and assessments for students in the UK and globally, delivering exams to over million students in over 80 countries annually and operating as a centre of excellence in qualifications and assessment.
About the job: The position is for a Development Manager to recruit and lead a PHP Laravel/ team working on large scale assessment delivery application-based systems in AWS. Currently we are in the middle of a large programme to build a new service to deliver a large assessment contract that will process millions of exams a year. The successful candidate will manage their own team of PHP Laravel/ developers located in multiple locations.
About you: We expect you to have significant experience as a full-stack developer. You’ll have strong leadership and management skills with experience of managing agile delivery teams that develop solutions at pace to provide real end user benefits. You will be a champion of Agile project delivery. You’ll also have experience of recruiting developers & building strong teams that deliver clean and efficient code.
Key Skills & Experience
Strong skills in PHP Laravel/
Gathering, evaluating, and prioritizing requests for product changes, enhancements, and new features
Evaluating recent technologies that may be incorporated into future releases of the product.
Participating in all product activities related to release and iteration planning, to ensure that the team has a clear understanding of the goals and can complete development on schedule.
Tracking product roadmap and project issues to completion
Providing technical guidance to the development team
Working with senior leadership team to execute long term technology strategy
Ensuring that the development team successfully delivers applications to production and provides post deployment support as required
Applying best practices for chosen development platform
Understand modern application architectures and how they can be applied, like Microservice / Service Oriented Architectures
Ensuring that overall software architecture guidance in terms of best practice is followed by the team
Recruitment of developers
Managing training requirements for teams to ensure skills are kept up in line with Pearson’s technology strategy
Mentor and coach team members to help them reach their full potential and advance their careers.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product development and delivery.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage complex projects.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
Ability to manage multiple projects during the same time effectively, and efficiently.
Ability to identify and document business processes and requirements.
Desirable Skills & Experience
PHP Laravel/
Docker and containers
Designing, developing, and deploying cloud applications
Terraform
Experience partnering with program management teams.
Strong Agile Scrum project management experience
5+ years of experience managing engineering teams.
Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Applying development methodologies like TDD, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code
Pearson’s Benefits:
25 Days annual leave (increasing by 1 day with every year of continuous service up to 30 days); annual leave trading, +/- 5 days.
Annual Bonus
Private Pension plan scheme where we pay in double what you contribute, up to 16% depending on your age.
Life, private medical and dental care insurance options, plus free eye tests
Stock/share purchase options
Maternity, paternity, and family care leave as well as flexible working policies.
An employee wellbeing assistance programme
Cycle to work program, volunteering days, gym membership concessions in selected office locations, along with retail and leisure discounts.
Location: The role is aligned to our Manchester, Rotherham, or London offices. Our Rotherham office is located at Junction 1 of the M18. All our roles are hybrid working; our current policy requires our team to visit their base office no more than once a week, and with the possibility of occasional business travel to other Pearson sites. Candidates must be a suitable commute from their base office as our office presence policy may change to require more frequent presence in 2024.
Diversity: At Pearson we value the power of an inclusive culture and a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture wheredifferences are embraced as strengths and opportunities are equal and accessible.
How to apply: Thank you for your interest in applying for a role at Pearson. Please submit an updated CV and cover letter (optional) in English. If you have any additional questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
We look forward to receiving your application – Talent Acquisition Team
What to expect from Pearson
Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?
At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at
We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.
Software Engineering Manager - PHP employer: Pearson
Contact Detail:
Pearson Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Manager - PHP
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Pearson's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to sustainable practices and learning can help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how your personal values resonate with theirs.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in managing agile teams and delivering projects at pace. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in a fast-paced environment, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around PHP Laravel and cloud applications. Being able to speak confidently about recent technologies and best practices will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of Pearson, if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineering Manager - PHP
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with PHP Laravel and any relevant leadership roles. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate that you meet the specific requirements Pearson is looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Although optional, a cover letter can set you apart. Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background aligns with Pearson's mission of helping everyone achieve their potential through learning.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, emphasise your experience in managing agile delivery teams and your ability to mentor and coach team members. Provide examples of how you've successfully led projects and built strong teams.
Highlight Relevant Technologies: Mention your familiarity with modern application architectures, Docker, Terraform, and CI/CD pipelines. This will show that you are well-versed in the technologies Pearson uses and can contribute effectively from day one.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pearson
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Software Engineering Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams, resolved conflicts, and fostered collaboration in previous roles.
✨Understand Agile Methodologies
Since the role emphasises Agile project delivery, be ready to discuss your experience with Agile methodologies. Share specific instances where you implemented Agile practices and how they benefited your team and projects.
✨Highlight Technical Expertise
Make sure to highlight your technical skills, especially in PHP Laravel and cloud applications. Be prepared to discuss your experience with modern application architectures and any relevant technologies like Docker and Terraform.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of complex projects you've managed and be ready to explain your approach to overcoming challenges and ensuring successful outcomes.
