Lead Automation Developer

Ad Warrior Ltd; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Gym membership

Blue Light Card

Pension scheme

Flexible hours

Hybrid/Remote work

Training opportunities

Job summary

Ad Warrior Ltd in Exeter seeks a Lead Automation Developer to provide technical leadership across the automation lifecycle for Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. You will architect and deliver complex automations and ensure quality and security.

The role offers hybrid working, based at Dorset Police HQ Winfrith or Devon & Cornwall Police HQ Exeter, with home working optional, flexitime and ongoing development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading automation initiatives and teams.
• Ability to architect and deliver complex automation solutions.
• Knowledge of security best practices in automation deployments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and development of complex automation solutions, ensuring documentation throughout the lifecycle.
• Set and assure development standards, code quality, security, data protection, and reusable components.
• Provide technical leadership in Blue Prism and related automation technologies, resolving complex challenges.
• Design test procedures and scenarios, oversee UAT, document outcomes and secure business sign-off before deployment.
• Oversee handover to BAU, change control, and transition for live automations.
• Mentor Automation Developers & Controllers, promoting accreditation and continuous improvement.
• Manage automation projects, plans, risks, budgets and delivery against specs.
• Collaborate with ICT teams and stakeholders to select technical solutions (APIs, web services, enterprise apps).
• Stay aware of industry developments and share best practices across forces.

Skills

Technical leadership

Automation architecture

Automation development lifecycle

Mentoring

Stakeholder engagement

Security best practices

Test design

UAT coordination

Change control

Budget monitoring

Tools

Blue Prism

Job description

Lead Automation Developer

Location: Exeter

Salary: Grade 10 - Starts at £57,186 rising by yearly increments to a maximum of £62,205 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time (37 hours per week)

Closing Date: 23rd of October 2026

This Lead Automation Developer role sits within the Alliance Business Change Department and forms an integral part of the Automation Team serving Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police. The team develops a digital workforce that creates capacity, improves resilience and enables both Forces to realise technological, operational and reputational benefits.

As Lead Automation Developer, you will provide technical leadership across the automation development lifecycle. You will architect and deliver complex automations, assure the quality and security of solutions produced by Automation Developers, support deployed automations, and help develop the automation discipline across the organisation. You will report to the Automation Manager and work closely with business stakeholders, ICT colleagues and change professionals.

This department offers a flexible, hybrid-working approach, with the role based at either Dorset Police HQ Winfrith or Devon & Cornwall Police HQ Exeter. Home working is available where appropriate, alongside flexible hours and a flexitime scheme, subject to operational requirements.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and development of complex, well-structured automation solutions, ensuring clear documentation throughout the development lifecycle.
• Set and assure development standards, code quality, security, data protection, supportability and the use of reusable automation components.
• Provide technical leadership in Blue Prism and related automation technologies, resolving complex development and integration challenges.
• Design test procedures and scenarios, oversee User Acceptance Testing, document outcomes and secure formal business sign-off before deployment.
• Oversee operational handbooks, hypercare, transition into business-as-usual support, and structured change control for live automations.
• Mentor and develop Automation Developers & Controllers, promoting professional accreditation, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Manage automation projects and development activity, monitoring plans, risks, issues, dependencies, budgets and delivery against required specifications.
• Collaborate with ICT teams and business stakeholders to select appropriate technical solutions, including APIs, web services and enterprise applications.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments and engage with other police forces and professional communities to share best practice and drive innovation.

Interview and Assessment

You will have an interview based on the Competency Values Framework, Level 2 and there is also an assessment which will assess candidates' ability to develop complex automation solutions, provide technical design and assurance at a lead level, and demonstrate the leadership required to own and shape the technical direction of the automation service.

What you get if you join us

If you work for us, you will get access to:

• A competitive salary with yearly increments.
• 25 days a year leave entitlement, with an increase to 30 days after 5 years continuous employment, plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part time workers).
• Access to heavily subsidised gym membership that will provide you access to police site gyms throughout the counties.
• Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme for discounts and services (requires a one off payment of £5).
• Company sick pay.
• Competitive local government pension scheme.
• Job related equipment, as required.
• Free onsite parking at many police sites throughout the counties.
• Access to Group insurance scheme (via salary sacrifice scheme).
• Support networks, free Employees Assistance Programme, Occupational Health and wellbeing services.
• Development and training opportunities.
• Supportive and flexible training plan, including regular check-ins throughout your initial period of joining us to ensure you are up to speed with the role and getting the support you need.
• Flexitime, with the ability to undertake your hours flexibly and in line with business need.
• Hybrid working, with the ability to work remotely at times throughout the working week (once signed off the training plan).