Hybrid opportunity at
ZopaDirector of Engineering
Zopa is looking for a Director of Engineering to head an established engineering organisation that covers one of its core business areas in London. The post…
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About This Role
Zopa is looking for a Director of Engineering to head an established engineering organisation that covers one of its core business areas in London. The post is full time and hybrid. The posting names the Canary Wharf office for three days a week and separately asks for two to three days a week in the London office, so the expectation should be confirmed. The director sets the strategic direction for…
Job Description
Zopa is looking for a Director of Engineering to head an established engineering organisation that covers one of its core business areas in London. The post is full time and hybrid. The posting names the Canary Wharf office for three days a week and separately asks for two to three days a week in the London office, so the expectation should be confirmed.
The director sets the strategic direction for the area, pinpoints the largest chances to improve technology, people and working methods, and turns them into measurable gains. The brief is about substantial transformation rather than incremental tweaks, with plenty of latitude to decide priorities and push delivery forward.
Leadership covers growing a high-performing organisation through Engineering Managers, using recruitment, performance oversight and people practices, reviewing team design and how engineering capacity is spent, and easing reliance on particular individuals. The director also makes pragmatic build, buy or partner choices and weighs in on significant design and architecture questions.
The director uses engineering measures to steer decisions, looks at where AI could make engineers more effective, and works with Product and Commercial leaders so that engineering gains appear in business results. The posting also values experience in FinTech, lending or other regulated sectors and in technology-first organisations.
Responsibilities
- Define the engineering strategy for the area and identify the largest openings for improvement across technology, people and methods
- Lead the shift from the current setup to a clearer target state, winning stakeholder backing along the way
- Oversee a large engineering function through its Engineering Managers
- Build strong teams via recruitment, performance management and people practices
- Review team structures and how engineering capacity is allocated
- Reduce reliance on particular individuals so the organisation keeps performing as it evolves
- Use engineering measures to guide choices and confirm whether changes achieve their aim
- Pilot and assess AI tools with a focus on engineering effectiveness
- Make build, buy or partner decisions and challenge major design and architecture choices
- Work with Product and Commercial leaders so engineering work leads to shared results
Requirements
- Seasoned engineering leader who has run large teams
- Skill at building a high-performing organisation through capable managers, careful selection, performance management and people leadership
- Record of improving engineering output across people, technology and working practices
- Uses data to locate opportunities, make decisions and check impact
- Has led major organisational change and moved teams to a meaningfully better state
- Technical credibility to question significant design and architecture proposals
- Influence with senior stakeholders and willingness to hold hard conversations with empathy and little ego
- Practical experience of AI in engineering, including what worked, what failed and what was learned
Qualifications
- Experience in FinTech, lending or another regulated sector
- Background in a technology-first company
Core Skills
Benefits
- Flexible working arrangements
- Working overseas for as many as 120 days a year, if the right to work applies in that country
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Where is the Director of Engineering role based?
The role is based in London and is hybrid. The posting names Canary Wharf for three days a week and also asks for two to three days a week in the London office, so confirm which applies.
Is the role full time?
Yes, the posting lists the position as full time.
What salary does the posting offer?
The posting does not state a salary.
What kind of experience is needed?
The posting asks for experience leading sizeable engineering teams and significant change, and for the technical credibility to take part in major design and architecture decisions. FinTech or regulated-sector experience is described as valuable.
Sample Interview Questions
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