Head of Engineering

at  Skipton Building Society

Hours:
35 hours per week.
Closing Date:
Sun, 22 Sept 2024
We’re on the lookout for a dynamic Head of Engineering to lead our Software and Data Engineering team at Skipton Building Society. In this role, you’ll collaborate with key stakeholders to craft cutting-edge products the industry standard. Using innovative software solutions and top-tier architectural practices, you’ll ensure our developments align perfectly with our Homes and Money strategy, making a real impact in the market.
Who Are We?
Not just another building society. Not just another job.
We’re the fourth biggest building society in the UK and what makes us a bit different is that we’re a mutual organisation. We don’t have shareholders; we’re owned by our members.
Our colleagues say Skipton’s a great place to work, and you could be one of them, bringing with you new ideas on how we can keep customers at the heart of what we do.
Whatever your background, and whatever your goals, we’ll help you take the next step towards a better future.
Reporting to the Group Chief Information Officer you will lead and manage a large team of engineers, testers and IS design, ensuring Engineering and Data aligns with current emerging needs in accordance with the Skipton’s strategic plans
What’s In It For You?
Skipton values work/life balance and we are proud to support hybrid and flexible working, where possible. We have a newly refurbished head office which offers a vibrant and collaborative working space.

We have a range of other benefits available to you including;

• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• 25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a maximum of 30 days
• Holiday trading scheme allowing the ability to buy and sell additional annual leave days
• Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)
• Colleague mortgage (conditions apply)
• Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric car
• A commitment to training and development
• Private medical insurance for all our colleagues
• 3 paid volunteering days per annum
• Diverse and inclusive colleague networks available for you to join including our Carers and Pride Alliance groups
• We care about your health and wellbeing – we provide a range of benefits that support this including cycle to work initiative and discounted gym membership

What Will You Be Doing?

• You will lead our Engineering function (approx. 150 people), providing clear leadership, vision and priorities
• Lead and manage a team of engineers, testers and IS design to build industry leading products using robust architectural practices and innovative software solutions that are fit for purpose
• Responsible for leading a team of permanent, partners and contract engineering teams as required to meet the company goals and objectives
• Oversee the production and maintenance of system roadmap for in house developed products
• Define the resource requirements to delivery for agreed system roadmaps using governance structures for effective decision making
• Oversees the implementation of robust governance frameworks, manage technical and operational risks, ensure compliance with industry standards, and enforce best practices in security to protect data, systems and development processes
• Provide input to the Director of Enterprise Architecture and Technology Strategy (EA & TS) into the technology strategy for the Society, and the architectural building blocks (ABBs). Owning the solution building blocks (SBBs) for engineering
• Responsible for overseeing & driving software automation, the approach to DevSecOps & Cloud technology from an engineering perspective.
• Input into and deploy long-term strategic plans for acquiring and enabling efficient and cost effective data and information systems and communication technologies
• Ensure Engineering and Data aligns with current emerging needs in accordance with the strategic plans as set out by EA & TS and the Society’s Corporate Plan.
• Define communicate and deliver to project milestones and resource allocation to senior management and heads of department
• Develop and review budgets for all requirements and ensure they comply with the strategic plans
• Direct research on potential technology solutions and implementations in support of new initiatives, opportunities, and procurement efforts
• Establish and lead the Engineering teams in the completion of their responsibilities ensuring consistent and reliable delivery to the business

What Do We Need From You?

• Significant experience in a professional senior Engineering role
• People management experience, including successfully leading, motivating, performance managing and developing teams
• Proven track record performing in a Engineering role, developing and maturing the Information systems and Data capabilities.
• Extensive experience of working with Business leadership, e.g. C-suite, divisional and functional leaders, to define and align technology strategies with strategic objectives, participating in strategic planning cycles.
• Extensive experience of collaborating with CIO, CTO and IT Leadership, including governance, conflict and strategic alignment scenarios.
• Extensive experience of defining and participating in architecture governance and assurance
• Experience of leading engineering work on complex business or technology transformation initiatives such as Cloud, Big Data, ERP, Sales, Marketing or Digital programmes.
• Extensive experience developing and maturing Engineering capabilities, proactively working as part of the business and technology communities, sharing knowledge and promoting in-house expertise.
• Extensive experience of mentoring a multi-domain matrix team
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and architecture expertise with the ability to translate complex concepts into easily understandable material
• Analytical mind with problem solving aptitude
• A broad, enterprise-wide view and appreciation for strategy, processes and capabilities, enabling technologies, and governance
• Motivates, inspires and acts as a thought leader amongst your team, peers and IT communities
• Act with integrity, tact and diplomacy to formulate trust at all levels
• Strong communication skills and ability to strategically influence key internal stakeholders; Influential and able to communicate rationale behind thought processes
• Wide variety of communication styles and the ability to understand your audience and tailor your style accordingly
• Immersive and impactful presentation skills
• Self-motivated, driven and open to new challenges
• Ability to remain calm and focused whilst under pressure

• You will lead our Engineering function (approx. 150 people), providing clear leadership, vision and priorities
• Lead and manage a team of engineers, testers and IS design to build industry leading products using robust architectural practices and innovative software solutions that are fit for purpose
• Responsible for leading a team of permanent, partners and contract engineering teams as required to meet the company goals and objectives
• Oversee the production and maintenance of system roadmap for in house developed products
• Define the resource requirements to delivery for agreed system roadmaps using governance structures for effective decision making
• Oversees the implementation of robust governance frameworks, manage technical and operational risks, ensure compliance with industry standards, and enforce best practices in security to protect data, systems and development processes
• Provide input to the Director of Enterprise Architecture and Technology Strategy (EA & TS) into the technology strategy for the Society, and the architectural building blocks (ABBs). Owning the solution building blocks (SBBs) for engineering
• Responsible for overseeing & driving software automation, the approach to DevSecOps & Cloud technology from an engineering perspective.
• Input into and deploy long-term strategic plans for acquiring and enabling efficient and cost effective data and information systems and communication technologies
• Ensure Engineering and Data aligns with current emerging needs in accordance with the strategic plans as set out by EA & TS and the Society’s Corporate Plan.
• Define communicate and deliver to project milestones and resource allocation to senior management and heads of department
• Develop and review budgets for all requirements and ensure they comply with the strategic plans
• Direct research on potential technology solutions and implementations in support of new initiatives, opportunities, and procurement efforts
• Establish and lead the Engineering teams in the completion of their responsibilities ensuring consistent and reliable delivery to the busines