Job Description Interim Head of Software & Data Engineering - Contract (1 Day per Month) Location: Midlands-based (Stratford-upon-Avon preferred)Working Pattern: 1 day per month - 3 month contractContract: Inside IR35Day Rate: Flexible to a max of £700 We are supporting a Midlands-based organisation in securing an Interim Head of Software & Data Engineering to provide strategic oversight and leadership across both software engineering and data capabilities. This is a light-touch advisory engagement (1 day per month), focused on leadership, direction-setting, and challenge at a senior level rather than day-to-day management. The Role You will act as a senior technical and leadership advisor, supporting the organisation's engineering function across .NET software engineering and data platforms, helping to drive standards, improve delivery, and provide constructive challenge to existing leadership and engineering teams. The role has a strong emphasis on data capability, while maintaining oversight across broader engineering. Key Responsibilities Provide strategic oversight across software and data engineering functions Act as a critical friend, challenging engineering decisions, strategy, and delivery approaches Support the evolution of engineering capability, processes, and standards Offer guidance on data platform strategy (Databricks, Azure data stack) Ensure alignment between engineering outputs and business objectives Mentor and support senior engineers and engineering leadership where required Current Environment Technology stack: .NET, SQL Server (legacy), Azure, Databricks Team size: Approximately 30 engineers across multiple squads Distributed team with an offshore function in Bucharest (locally managed) Ideal Candidate Profile Proven experience at Head of Engineering / Head of Data / Engineering Leadership level Strong background in data engineering or data platforms (preferred) Experience across software engineering environments (ideally .NET) Ability to challenge and influence senior engineers and stakeholders Strong understanding of engineering best practice, delivery, and team structures Experience operating in consultative or advisory capacity Location & Working Pattern Midlands-based candidate preferred (Stratford-upon-Avon ideal) Teams largely remote; occasional on-site workshops (1-2 per month) Very occasional travel to London
