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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex digital projects and guide a talented team of developers.
- Company: Join Torchbox, a purpose-led, employee-owned digital marketing specialist.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, remote work options, and health support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with top charities and innovative tech.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Python, Django, and experience leading teams in fast-paced environments.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant culture with epic socials and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 49129 - 70000 £ per year.
Torchbox City Of Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Lead Developer – 6 month fixed term contract
Base salary range: £49,129 – £70,000 per annum*
All salaries listed on our roles are based on UK salary bands, however, if you’d like more information on the bands for your country give us a shout.
Overview
We’re the digital marketing specialists for many of the biggest charities in the UK; we build digital products for international NGOs, governments and universities; and we created Wagtail CMS, used by Google, NASA, the NHS and thousands more. Our diverse team of over 110 people is mostly UK-based but with a significant presence in Manila as well as a network of people around the world. We are on a mission to set a new standard for a purpose-led business. Torchbox is 100% employee-owned – everyone is a co-owner from day one and we are building an amazing, progressive ownership and learning culture.
If you are excited about this mission, it’s a great time to join.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for a Lead Developer on a 6-month fixed-term contract, with a good chance of extension, to help guide the delivery of complex digital projects for our clients. You’ll bring hands-on expertise in Python and Django, with experience building content-rich, accessible websites and integrating CMS platforms like Wagtail. This role is ideal for someone who’s passionate about both leading teams and writing great code. You’ll be responsible for keeping projects moving technically — setting the direction, unblocking developers, managing stakeholders, and ensuring smooth handovers across phases. Candidates must be UK-based and able to pass BPSS checks due to public sector work.
Key responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership across one or more high-impact web projects
- Work closely with Delivery Managers to shape timelines, prioritise technical tasks, and ensure projects remain on track
- Collaborate directly with clients and stakeholders to define technical approaches and communicate trade-offs
- Set and uphold high coding standards within the team, balancing pragmatism with quality
- Unblock developers, review code, and offer mentoring and day-to-day technical support
- Act as the technical escalation point for issues across the stack
- Manage and guide integration of Wagtail or similar CMS platforms
- Contribute to Agile ceremonies, including backlog grooming and sprint planning
- Flag risks, manage technical debt and ensure deadlines are met without compromising quality
Skills and experience
- Proven experience as a Tech Lead or Senior/Lead Developer in an agency or fast-paced digital environment
- Expertise in Python and Django for building web applications
- Experience integrating and extending CMS systems (ideally Wagtail)
- Proficient in managing technical complexity and conflict resolution within a team setting
- Strong understanding of Agile delivery methods and working within multidisciplinary teams
- Experience working directly with clients and senior stakeholders
- Able to scope and estimate work accurately, and adjust plans as delivery evolves
- Comfortable leading technical discussions and presenting to non-technical stakeholders
- Familiarity with hosting environments (Heroku, AWS, Azure)
- Experience with containerised deployments (e.g. Docker) and CI/CD pipelines
- Front-end proficiency (e.g. React/Next.js or Vue/Nuxt.js, Tailwind)
- Knowledge of accessibility standards and performance best practices
- Previous experience working with public sector clients
- Familiarity with JIRA / other project management suites
What we offer
- Work with awesome clients doing rewarding, purposeful work
- Competitive salary + annual review + bonuses
- Ethical pension scheme, with a 6% contribution from Torchbox, enrolled into the scheme after 12 weeks
- Fully remote, hybrid, office full-time, whatever works for you
- Health schemes and access to mental health support
- Some pretty epic socials (virtual and in-person), weekly free veggie lunches in the office and a bunch of other cool stuff we’d love to tell you about
The money bit
At Torchbox, you’re not just an employee—you’re a co-owner from day one. We’re 100% employee-owned, which means you get a say in how we run things, and you directly share in our success.
- Tax-Free Co-Owner Bonus & Profit Share Scheme: these are paid in line with our payment schedule. As this is a short-term contract, you may not be in post for a full bonus cycle, but we’ll ensure you receive a co-owner bonus payment on completion of the contract, so you still benefit from being part of our employee-owned business.
The application process
The closing date for this role is Friday 5th September 2025.
The application process will consist of 3 stages, these will be:
- An initial meeting to discuss the role, your skills and experience, and for you to learn more about us and the role.
- A takeaway technical assignment.
- A final stage interview with the Head of Engineering and other members of the Engineering team, a run through of your technical assessment.
Everyone is welcome
We’re committed to being an inclusive employer. If you need help or have questions – give us a shout – recruitment@torchbox.com
No agencies, please.
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Lead Developer - 6 month FTC employer: Torchbox
Contact Detail:
Torchbox Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Developer - 6 month FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with communities online. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Torchbox, understand their mission, and be ready to discuss how your skills in Python and Django can help them deliver amazing projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they do.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your coding skills! Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around Wagtail and Agile methodologies. You might even want to do some mock interviews with friends or use platforms that simulate coding challenges.
✨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 being part of the Torchbox family.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Developer - 6 month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about leading projects and working with our amazing clients.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Python, Django, and CMS platforms like Wagtail. We love seeing how your skills align with what we do, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Lead Developer role without wading through unnecessary fluff.
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 this exciting opportunity right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Torchbox
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Python and Django skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, especially those involving Wagtail or similar CMS platforms. This will show that you not only have the technical know-how but also the hands-on experience needed for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Developer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to guide teams and manage stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects in the past, resolved conflicts, and mentored junior developers. This will highlight your leadership capabilities and fit for the role.
✨Understand Agile Methodologies
Familiarise yourself with Agile delivery methods, as this is crucial for the position. Be prepared to discuss how you've contributed to Agile ceremonies like sprint planning and backlog grooming. Showing that you can adapt to changing requirements will be a big plus.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect to engage in technical discussions during the interview, especially around complex web projects. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely, even to non-technical stakeholders. This will demonstrate your communication skills and ability to bridge the gap between tech and business.
