Software Technical Team Leader (Stepping Stone To A CTO)

EMBS Engineering; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 75,000; Full time

Job description

Software Technical Team Leader (stepping stone to a CTO)
c£75,000 + Benefits
Midlands / Hybrid
Are you an experienced software leader with a passion for driving change, shaping technical direction, and mentoring development teams? Are you looking for a clear path towards a future CTO role? This could be the perfect opportunity.

We're working with a well-established organisation going through a major digital transformation. With new leadership at the top and a bold vision for the future, the IT Director is now looking for someone to step in and take ownership of the software function - a kind of unofficial 'Head of Software'.

The Opportunity

This is a true blend of technical strategy and leadership - roughly 50:50 hands-on vs. people and project leadership. You'll define and drive the software development roadmap, modernise legacy systems, and lead the technical design and direction of new applications. You'll have a real say in shaping the future of software within the organisation. This is also a brilliant stepping stone to a CTO role elsewhere - you'll gain the kind of end-to-end exposure and experience that puts you firmly on that path.

What You'll Be Doing

1. Leading software engineering across a wide suite of applications, including core systems built in Java and Angular.
2. Steering technical decision-making and innovation across the business.
3. Helping modernise legacy systems while maintaining and enhancing existing applications.
4. Setting standards and best practices across engineering teams.
5. Mentoring and developing both UK-based developers and a small outsourced team (transitioning back to the UK).
6. Collaborating closely with the IT Director, Product Manager, and other senior stakeholders.
7. Preparing the business to integrate with exciting AI work currently being developed by their European Dev team.

The Tech Environment

1. Core stack: Java (Spring), Angular - no immediate plans to move away from this, so you'll need to be comfortable working with these technologies for the foreseeable future.
2. Other technologies: C#.NET, Blazor, plus a mix of legacy systems.
3. Large app portfolio: Key applications in Java & Angular, along with numerous other apps/technologies in the ecosystem.
4. Strong focus on system integration, modernisation, and innovation.

What We're Looking For

1. A proven technical software leader with hands-on experience.
2. Someone with a strategic mindset who enjoys balancing long-term thinking with day-to-day delivery.
3. A confident mentor who brings out the best in others.
4. An appetite for change, transformation, and improvement.

What's in it for You?

1. Career-defining role: High impact, high visibility, with genuine autonomy.
2. Hybrid flexibility: Flexible working, as long as you're happy to visit a Midlands office regularly.
3. Excellent benefits including:
4. 25 days holiday (plus option to buy more)
5. Enhanced pension
6. Electric car scheme
7. Retail discounts
8. Health & wellbeing support
9. And more...

If you're a capable technical leader looking for that next big step - somewhere you can make your mark and build a future - we'd love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential chat.