Director of Software Engineering

Director of Software Engineering London – hybrid, three days per week £150,000 base + 10% bonus, flexible holidays and private healthcare We are supporting a fast-growing international organisation with the appointment of a highly technical Director of Software Engineering. This is an opportunity to take ownership of an established software function and shape its next stage of development. You will assess the current team, architecture and ways of working before recommending how the function should evolve and scale. This is not a role for someone who wants to operate at arm’s length from the technology. It is a predominantly technical leadership position—approximately 75% technical and 25% people, stakeholder and commercial leadership. The opportunity During your first six months, you will review the existing software function and recommend how its structure, processes and technical capabilities should develop. A major priority will be establishing a clearer and better-documented software development lifecycle, improving engineering standards and identifying how AI-assisted development can accelerate delivery without compromising quality, security or control. You will work across consumer-facing applications, content platforms, cloud architecture, core software and data-driven products. Key responsibilities Lead, mentor and develop a multidisciplinary software engineering teamAssess the current function and recommend how the team and operating model should evolveDefine technical direction across customer-facing applications, core software and cloud architectureEstablish a consistent software development lifecycle covering architecture, documentation, testing, code reviews, CI/CD and releasesImprove engineering quality, delivery speed, scalability and production reliabilityIntroduce practical and controlled use of AI across software-development workflowsRemain close to architecture, technical decisions and high-level code reviewsWork closely with product, design, data and senior business stakeholdersManage specialist consultancies, technology partners and software vendorsBalance technical investment and debt against commercial priorities and speed to market About you You will have started your career in software development and progressed into engineering leadership while retaining strong technical credibility. We are looking for: Significant software-engineering experience with leadership of multidisciplinary development teamsStrong knowledge of modern cloud architecture and production softwareExperience with customer-facing websites, applications or digital productsThe ability to assess architecture, challenge technical decisions and support engineers with complex problemsExperience improving software-development processes, engineering standards and delivery practicesKnowledge of modern front-end architecture; the current environment predominantly uses React alongside .NETA practical understanding of AI-assisted software developmentStrong communication and stakeholder-management skillsCommercial awareness and the ability to balance quality, cost and delivery speedThe personality and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment Experience with CMS or headless-content platforms, high-volume data, real-time systems or data visualisation would be beneficial but is not essential. We are open on industry background and are primarily interested in the quality and relevance of your engineering leadership. The role is based in Central London, close to Gloucester Road and Earl’s Court Underground stations, with an expectation of three days per week in the office.