At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop high-performing engineering teams in an inclusive environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company embracing AI and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, birthday off, and volunteering days.
- Other info: Hybrid role with opportunities for career growth and diversity commitment.
- Why this job: Drive engineering excellence and make a real impact on global projects.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in engineering and experience with agile environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Director of Engineering to lead our cross-functional delivery teams as we evolve toward an AI-enabled, platform-centric operating model serving international markets. You’ll drive engineering excellence across our organization, leading Engineering Managers, our QA Testing Manager, and multiple delivery teams to deliver scalable, high-quality products aligned with strategic priorities.
What You’ll Be Getting Up To With Us
- Lead & Develop Teams
- Build and coach high‑performing engineering and QA teams in an inclusive, collaborative environment
- Drive career development, succession planning, and talent retention
- Foster psychological safety, ownership, and continuous learning
- Manage Resources & Budget
- Own workforce planning, organisational design, and capability development
- Manage budget planning, forecasting, and operational expenditure
- Optimise engineering efficiency while maintaining quality and team wellbeing
- Drive Delivery Excellence
- Ensure predictable, high‑quality delivery across multiple teams
- Establish effective processes and remove blockers
- Balance delivery pace with quality, security, and maintainability
- Partner with Product, Architecture, and business stakeholders
- Work closely with US‑based and international technology teams
- Coordinate across Infrastructure, Security, Data, and QA functions
- Support global platform initiatives and localisation efforts
- Establish engineering standards and metrics
- Drive adoption of modern practices including AI‑enabled engineering, DevOps, and automation
- Promote operational excellence and service ownership
Experience We’d Love To See Includes
- Proven experience leading engineering organisations and managing engineering/QA leaders
- Strong track record building high‑performing, diverse teams
- Experience with workforce planning, budget management, and resource allocation
- Success delivering complex software products in agile/product‑led environments
- Experience with modern QA practices, test automation, and quality governance
- Understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, and operational reliability
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Experience with international, distributed teams and organisational transformation
Benefits
- 25 days holiday a year plus bank holidays (3 to be used for our Christmas shutdown)
- A day off for your birthday to celebrate in style!
- 5 volunteering days a year to use for the causes of your choice
- Access to a benefits and discount platform with discounts at retailers, leisure attractions and restaurants
- BUPA Healthcare, Life assurance, Permanent health insurance
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution – up to 8%
- Season ticket loan and EAP
Location and Application Details
This is a hybrid role based out of our Houghton Le Spring office – the team comes together a couple of times a week. There may be travel to other offices on occasion. Applications will be reviewed from the week commencing 22nd June. Unfortunately we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.
We have an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and have taken strides to become a more welcoming and inclusive workplace, including the introduction of our DEI Matters Network which is owned and driven by our staff. We are an equal opportunities employer. We encourage and welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, as we believe and strive for community representation within our organization.
If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please contact us and we will talk this through. All your information will be kept confidential according to GDPR guidelines. Please note we can only consider applicants who already hold a full work permit. This role is subject to DBS and background checks.
Director of Engineering employer: Renaissance Learning
Join us as a Director of Engineering in Houghton Le Spring, where you'll lead diverse, high-performing teams in a collaborative and inclusive environment. We prioritise employee growth with robust career development opportunities, generous benefits including 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, and a commitment to work-life balance through hybrid working arrangements. Our focus on engineering excellence and modern practices ensures that you will be at the forefront of innovation while contributing to a culture that values psychological safety and continuous learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Engineering
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Renaissance Learning or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Renaissance Learning.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Renaissance Learning.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Renaissance Learning that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Renaissance Learning.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Renaissance Learning and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Renaissance Learning
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Renaissance Learning uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
