Lead Developer

Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension 28.97%

25 days annual leave

8 Bank Holidays + Privilege Day

Staff discount portal

Career development opportunities

Diversity and inclusion

24-hour EAP

Job summary

Department for Transport (DfT) in the United Kingdom is seeking a Lead Developer to provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary agile teams. You will design, develop and deliver innovative digital solutions that support policy and operational outcomes, balancing hands-on work with leadership responsibilities.

You will mentor developers, foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, influence technical direction, and help grow the developer community across a wide range of technologies.

Qualifications

• Experience leading the development of complex software (across disciplines).
• Proficient in a wide range of technologies and able to introduce new ones to the team.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring to the team.
• Promote knowledge sharing and adoption of good practice.

Responsibilities

• Guide the ways in which the team works.
• Be proficient in a wide range of technical systems.
• Identify appropriate technology and decide when software should be written.
• Contribute to the developer community.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring your team.
• Promote knowledge sharing and adoption of best practices.

Skills

Tech leadership

Software development

Wide range of technologies

Mentoring

Knowledge sharing

Learning mindset

Certifications & Agile

Job description

Location: Birmingham, Hastings, Leeds, Swansea (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

Salary: £57,515 (Plus an additional allowance up to £24,915)

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

As a Lead Developer, you’ll provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary agile teams, leading the design, development and delivery of innovative digital solutions that support business, policy and operational outcomes. You’ll balance hands‑on technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, helping teams adopt modern development practices, improve ways of working and deliver high‑quality services.

You’ll play a key role in mentoring and coaching developers, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing. Working with a wide range of technologies, you’ll help identify new tools and approaches, influence technical direction, and contribute to the growth of our developer community.

Top Responsibilities

• Guiding the ways in which the team works
• Being proficient in a wide range of technical systems
• Being involved in identifying appropriate technology and approaches, deciding when software should be written
• Contributing to the developer community
• Providing technical leadership, coaching and mentoring your team
• Promoting knowledge sharing and adoption of good practice

For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work‑life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Experience of leading the development of complex software
• Be proficient in a wide range of technologies and capable of introducing new technologies into your team
• Provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring your team
• Promote knowledge sharing and adoption of good practice
• Guide the ways in which the team works
• Learning mindset prepared to learn new technologies
• Willingness to work towards a Certification in Google and Microsoft Technologies and Agile practices

Additional Information

The role is part of the Government Digital and Data profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £57,515. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £24,915.

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 16th August 2026