Head of Engineering - Operator Platform · Sunderland, UK ·
Head of Engineering - Operator Platform · Sunderland, UK ·

Head of Engineering - Operator Platform · Sunderland, UK ·

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Tombola

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering teams to shape and deliver innovative technology for an exciting gaming platform.
  • Company: Join a dynamic team at tombola, a leader in the gaming industry.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for career growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and experimentation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on player experiences while driving technological innovation.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in engineering, budget management, and customer-facing tech environments.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

As Head of Engineering – Operator Platform, you’ll shape and deliver the technology that powers how we operate, scale and continuously improve the tombola experience. This is a key leadership role at the heart of Platform Engineering, where you’ll define and drive a player-first technology strategy while enabling the teams behind the scenes to move faster, smarter and more effectively.

Leading multiple engineering teams across back-end and front-end, you’ll own the architecture, design and development of our operator platform and the systems that support our player-facing products. Working closely with teams across the business, you’ll ensure our technology is scalable, reliable and built to deliver seamless, high-quality experiences for our players.

What you'll lead and deliver

  • Technical strategy
  • Provide expert leadership across software design and development
  • Champion modern technologies, best practices and coding standards
  • Build and evolve a platform that supports long-term strategic goals
  • Define and deliver a technical roadmap aligned to player experience
  • Identify opportunities for innovation in how players interact with our products
  • Share knowledge and insight to help stakeholders understand what’s possible
  • Leadership
    • Lead, coach and support a cross-functional team of engineers
    • Create an inclusive, collaborative environment where people can thrive
    • Support career growth and identify future leaders within the team
    • Build and empower a high-performing Platform Engineering leadership group
  • Cross-functional collaboration
    • Work closely with Product, Design, Game Studio, Marketing and Customer Support
    • Turn player insights, feedback and data into meaningful technical solutions
  • Strategic planning
    • Contribute to the wider technology vision and roadmap
    • Translate business goals into clear, actionable engineering plans
    • Ensure alignment with company strategy and long-term objectives
  • Development and delivery
    • Oversee the full development lifecycle, from idea through to deployment
    • Ensure delivery is timely, scalable and meets high quality standards
    • Work with senior leaders to create transparent, scalable ways of working
  • Quality and innovation
    • Set and maintain high engineering and quality standards
    • Encourage experimentation and continuous improvement
    • Enable data-driven decision-making through strong platform capabilities
  • Project management
    • Oversee delivery of engineering projects within timelines and budgets
    • Balance new feature development with maintenance and technical debt
    • Collaborate with product and technology leaders on prioritisation
  • Technical expertise
    • Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies
    • Use knowledge to guide technical direction and decision-making
  • Stakeholder communication
    • Communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences
    • Build strong relationships across teams and with external partners
  • Budget management
    • Own and manage departmental budgets, including people, hosting and tooling
    • Work with senior leadership to plan and forecast effectively

    What we're looking for

    • Experience leading large, multi-layered engineering teams
    • Proven experience managing budgets
    • Experience setting and tracking objectives using OKRs
    • Background in customer-facing technology environments
    • Strong knowledge of front-end technologies such as Vue and React
    • Experience working in experimentation-led or UX-focused organisations
    • Experience leading multi-disciplinary delivery teams or functions
    • Understanding of platform engineering and development operations
    • Familiarity with technologies such as C#, Node, Docker, SQL Server and AWS
    • Desirable: Experience within the iGaming sector or similar regulated industries

    Head of Engineering - Operator Platform · Sunderland, UK · employer: Tombola

    At tombola, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for the Head of Engineering - Operator Platform role in Sunderland. Our inclusive and collaborative work culture fosters innovation and personal growth, empowering you to lead cross-functional teams while shaping cutting-edge technology that enhances player experiences. With a commitment to career development and a focus on modern engineering practices, you'll find ample opportunities to thrive in a dynamic environment that values your expertise and contributions.
    Tombola

    Contact Detail:

    Tombola Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering - Operator Platform · Sunderland, UK ·

    Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.

    Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and how they operate. We want you to be able to showcase your knowledge and passion for the role, so practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready to impress!

    Tip Number 3

    Showcase your skills through a portfolio or personal projects. If you’ve worked on relevant tech or engineering projects, make sure to highlight them. We love seeing practical examples of your work, especially if they align with the player-first technology strategy we’re after.

    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 our team and contributing to the amazing work we do at StudySmarter.

    We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering - Operator Platform · Sunderland, UK ·

    Technical Strategy
    Software Design and Development
    Modern Technologies
    Coding Standards
    Platform Architecture
    Cross-Functional Team Leadership
    Collaboration with Product and Design Teams
    Data-Driven Decision-Making
    Project Management
    Budget Management
    Front-End Technologies (Vue, React)
    Platform Engineering
    Development Operations
    Stakeholder Communication
    Innovation in User Experience

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Engineering role. Highlight your experience in leading engineering teams and any relevant technologies you've worked with, like Vue or React. We want to see how your skills align with our player-first technology strategy!

    Showcase Your Leadership Skills: In your application, don’t just list your past roles; share specific examples of how you’ve led teams and fostered collaboration. We’re looking for someone who can create an inclusive environment and support career growth, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past!

    Communicate Clearly: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain your technical expertise and how it relates to our goals. Remember, we need to understand your vision for the operator platform and how you can drive innovation!

    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 team at StudySmarter!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Tombola

    Know Your Tech Inside Out

    As a candidate for the Head of Engineering role, you need to be well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of front-end frameworks like Vue and React, as well as back-end technologies such as C#, Node, and AWS. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects.

    Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    This role is all about leading teams, so come prepared with examples of how you've successfully managed large, multi-layered engineering teams. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you fostered an inclusive environment that allowed your team to thrive. Highlight your experience in coaching and supporting future leaders.

    Align with Company Goals

    Make sure you understand the company's vision and how your technical strategy can align with their long-term objectives. Be ready to discuss how you've translated business goals into actionable engineering plans in the past. This shows that you can think strategically and contribute to the wider technology roadmap.

    Communicate Effectively

    You'll need to communicate with both technical and non-technical audiences, so practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Prepare to share how you've built strong relationships across teams and with external partners. Clear communication is key to ensuring everyone is on the same page and working towards common goals.

    Head of Engineering - Operator Platform · Sunderland, UK ·
    Tombola

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