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.
- Other info: Enjoy a vibrant culture with epic socials and career growth opportunities.
- 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.
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
Torchbox is an exceptional employer that champions a purpose-led, employee-owned culture, making it an ideal place for those passionate about driving impactful change in the public sector. With a strong focus on professional growth and collaboration, employees benefit from a supportive work environment that encourages innovation and strategic thinking, all while working closely with government, NGOs, and universities to deliver meaningful outcomes. Located in a vibrant area, Torchbox offers unique opportunities to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to significant societal advancements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Developer - 6 month FTC
✨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 Torchbox 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 Torchbox.
✨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 Torchbox.
✨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 Torchbox 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 Lead Developer - 6 month FTC
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 Torchbox.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Torchbox 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 Torchbox
✨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 Torchbox 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.
