Head of Software Engineering

Acosta; Woking; On-site; GBP 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Generous pension

25 days leave

Volunteer day

Career development

Company tools

Inclusive culture

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

Acosta Europe is seeking a Head of Software Engineering to lead our software engineering organization. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with strategic direction to enable growth across Acosta Europe.

You will drive architecture, standards, and modern development practices while partnering with senior stakeholders to align technology with commercial priorities. This is a high-visibility leadership position with a focus on delivering impactful business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience leading software engineering teams within a complex organisation.
• Ability to translate business needs into technology solutions.
• Strong software engineering and technology leadership experience.
• Commercial awareness and ability to balance strategic thinking with delivery.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing a talented software engineering team.
• Setting engineering standards and driving technical excellence.
• Helping shape the future technology strategy for the organisation.
• Delivering scalable, secure and resilient platforms and applications.
• Driving modern development practices and continuous improvement.
• Working closely with business leaders to align technology investment with commercial priorities.
• Influencing architecture, innovation and technology decision making.
• Building a culture that attracts, develops and retains exceptional technical talent.

Skills

Leadership

Software architecture

Stakeholder management

Staff development

Strategic thinking

Delivery focus

Job description

Head of Software Engineering

• Salary From:£105,000
• Salary To:£115,000
• Location:Woking or Stoke
• Category:IT
• Contract Type:Permanent Full Time

Location

Stoke on Trent or Working (Hybrid 3 days in the office)

Salary

Circa £110,000 per annum, plus £6k Car Allowance and 15% performance rated bonus

Lead the Technology That Powers Growth

This is not a traditional Head of Software Engineering role.

We're looking for a technology leader who can combine engineering excellence with strategic thinking, helping shape how technology enables the next stage of growth across Acosta Group Europe.

As our most senior software engineering leader, you'll play a central role in defining technology direction, leading high performing engineering teams, influencing senior stakeholders, and ensuring our platforms and products are built to support ambitious business goals.

You'll have the opportunity to modernise, innovate and shape the future, balancing hands on understanding of technology with the leadership and commercial awareness needed to drive meaningful business outcomes.

About The Opportunity

Technology is a critical enabler of our future growth. We're investing in our platforms, systems and digital capabilities to create better experiences for our clients, colleagues and customers.

As Head of Software Engineering, you'll lead the engineering function whilst helping influence wider technology strategy. Working across multiple business areas, you'll ensure our technology roadmap delivers against both immediate priorities and long term ambitions.

This is a highly visible leadership role where you'll work closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation, translating business challenges into technology solutions and creating an environment where talented engineers can do their best work.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and developing a talented software engineering team.
• Setting engineering standards and driving technical excellence.
• Helping shape the future technology strategy for the organisation.
• Delivering scalable, secure and resilient platforms and applications.
• Driving modern development practices and continuous improvement.
• Working closely with business leaders to align technology investment with commercial priorities.
• Influencing architecture, innovation and technology decision making.
• Building a culture that attracts, develops and retains exceptional technical talent.

What We're Looking For

You'll likely have experience leading software engineering teams within a complex organisation and be comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels.

We'd love to hear from you if you bring:

• A track record of leading and developing high performing engineering teams.
• Strong software engineering and technology leadership experience.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and translating business needs into technology solutions.
• A passion for innovation, continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of how technology creates business value.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery.

This role offers a rare opportunity to influence technology at a pivotal point in our journey.

You’ll join a business with ambitious plans, a collaborative culture and a genuine appetite for innovation. Most importantly, you’ll have the freedom to help shape the future direction of technology whilst building a high performing engineering function that delivers real impact.

Why join Acosta Europe?

• Comprehensive Healthcare – medical, dental, vision, plus life insurance and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Generous Pension Plan – Growing contributions as your service increases helping you plan for the future.
• Paid Time Off – 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays to recharge.
• Paid Volunteering Day – Make a difference in your community.
• Career Development – access to Acosta University and internal promotion programs.
• Company Tools – Including state of the art technology to ensure you are set up for success, including Laptop and mobile phone.
• Inclusive Culture – supportive, diverse, and values-driven environment.
• Employee Engagement – social events, recognition programs, and wellness initiatives.

At Acosta Europe, we believe diversity and inclusion are the foundation of innovation and success. We welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences, creating a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive.