Head of Software Engineering

Head of Software Engineering

I have partnered with a business on a mission to transform digital experiences at scale. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Head of Software Engineering candidate who has real influence, owning engineering strategy, shaping architecture, and building a high-performing function from the ground up.
This is not a traditional corporate leadership role. The manager is looking for someone with a startup mindset, commercially aware, hands-on, and comfortable operating in ambiguity. You'll bring an entrepreneurial approach, balancing speed with quality, and innovation with scalability.

Experience

• Define and execute the engineering strategy across digital, product and platform ecosystems.
• Lead end-to-end delivery, ensuring high-quality, scalable, and reliable releases.
• Partner closely with Product and Design as part of a leadership trio, shaping vision and outcomes.
• Establish modern engineering standards (cloud-first, CI/CD, automation, observability, secure SDLC).
• Drive operational excellence across performance, resilience, and security
• Build and scale a multi-site engineering organisation, embedding a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
• Champion innovation and AI adoption where it delivers measurable business value.
• Improve developer experience and productivity through tooling and automation.
• Proven experience as a senior engineering leader (Head of / Director / VP level).
• Strong hands-on technical background with credibility across engineering teams.
• Deep expertise in Microsoft ecosystems, modern cloud architectures, and distributed systems.
• Strong knowledge of Web, Mobile, FE technologies such as JavaScript, React, Kotlin, .Net, Azure.
• Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines, observability, and secure engineering practices.
• Track record of scaling teams and delivering in fast-paced, evolving environments.
• Experience working in or with startup / scale-up environments.
• Commercially aware, data-driven, and decisive.
• Shape and lead engineering at a strategic, group-wide level.
• Join a business investing heavily in digital transformation and innovation.
• Work in a high-impact leadership role with real autonomy.

You're someone who:

• Thrives in ambiguity and change.
• Thinks like a founder, not just an operator.
• Balances technical depth with business impact.
• Leads from the front-comfortable being both strategic and hands-on.

If you're ready to take ownership of a large-scale engineering function while operating with the agility and mindset of a startup, this is a role worth exploring.
Competitive salary on offer, hybrid working with 2-3 days required in the office based in central London.

Please note you will receive an automated response advising you that we have received your CV.

Morgan Philips Group is a global talent solutions business that disrupts conventional thinking in executive search, recruitment and talent consulting. We operate in over 18 markets in Europe, North & South America, Asia, and the Middle East & Africa. We understand that the future is digital and social, so we embrace the latest technology, including video ads and CVs, as well as social recruiting. Our innovative services are tailored to the new world of work yet we do not lose sight of the fact that employees be they existing and potential are ultimately human beings.

We are committed to ensuring that all job applicants are treated equally, without discrimination because of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.