Head of Software Engineering in London

Job Description

Interim Head of Software Engineering

Contract | Inside IR35 | London / Hybrid | £700–750 per day

We are partnering with a large and complex organisation undergoing a significant technology transformation to appoint an experienced Interim Head of Software Engineering.

This is a high-impact interim leadership opportunity for a senior engineering professional who can provide stability, technical direction, and operational leadership during a critical period of change and delivery.

Rather than a traditional “own everything” permanent leadership role, this assignment is focused on ensuring the engineering function continues to operate effectively, enabling strategic transformation programmes, and providing strong technical leadership across a broad portfolio of initiatives.

The Role

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

• Software Engineering & Development
• Integration Services
• BI & Analytics
• Engineering Governance & Project Assurance

Working closely with senior stakeholders across technology and the wider business, you will balance day-to-day engineering leadership with strategic technical input into a range of transformation initiatives.

This is a visible leadership role requiring a pragmatic, delivery-focused individual who is comfortable operating within complex enterprise environments and navigating organisational change.

Key Transformation Programmes

Current initiatives include:

• Enterprise AI and automation programmes
• Multi-cloud transformation across AWS and Azure
• Cloud migration and modernisation activity
• Centralised data platform and repository initiatives
• Technology cost optimisation programmes
• Introduction of new enterprise products and systems

What We’re Looking For

We are interested in speaking with candidates who can demonstrate:

• A strong background in software engineering leadership
• Experience operating within large, complex enterprise organisations
• Proven capability leading and stabilising engineering teams in an interim capacity
• Credibility providing technical oversight and engineering direction across programmes and projects
• Strong stakeholder engagement, governance, and communication skills
• Exposure to integration-led environments (highly desirable)
• Previous Higher Education sector experience strongly

Contract Details

• Initial 3-month contract with strong likelihood of extension to 6 months
• Inside IR35
• Hybrid working model with a London-based environment
• Interview process commencing shortly
• Start date required by mid-June at the latest