Job Description

Interim Head of Software Engineering

Contract | Inside IR35 | London / Hybrid

We are supporting a large, complex organisation undergoing significant technology transformation in the search for an experienced Interim Head of Software Engineering.

This is an initial 3-6 month interim assignment focused on providing stability, technical leadership, and engineering oversight during a period of substantial change and ongoing delivery.

This role is less about owning every aspect of a traditional permanent Head of function remit, and more about ensuring the engineering operation continues to run effectively, supporting strategic initiatives, and providing senior technical leadership across the organisation.

The Opportunity

You will lead an established engineering function of approximately 20 FTEs across:

Software Development

Integration

BI & Analytics

Engineering governance / project approvalsWorking closely with senior stakeholders, you will provide pragmatic leadership across BAU operations while contributing technical and engineering input into a broad portfolio of transformation programmes.

Current initiatives include:

Large-scale AI and automation programmes

Multi-cloud transformation across AWS and Azure

Cloud migration activity

Central data repository initiatives

Cost optimisation programmes

Introduction of new products and systems

What We're Looking For

We are keen to speak with candidates who can demonstrate:

Strong software engineering leadership background

Experience operating within complex enterprise environments

Ability to stabilise and lead engineering teams in an interim capacity

Credibility providing technical oversight and engineering direction to projects and programmes

Strong stakeholder engagement and governance capability

Integration experience / awareness highly desirable

Previous Higher Education sector experience is strongly preferred

Contract Details

Initial 3-month contract with likely extension to 6 months

Inside IR35

£800-£850/day (inclusive of fee, excluding VAT)

Hybrid working / London-based environment

Interview process commencing shortly

Start date required by mid-June at the latest