Interim Head of Software Engineering

3-Month Contract Initially C 700 pd Inside IR35 Hybrid London

A prestigious London-based organisation is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Software Engineering to provide operational leadership cover during a period of transition and organisational change and recruitment of a permanent Head of Software Engineering.

This is a senior leadership role focused on maintaining operational stability, supporting multidisciplinary technical teams and ensuring continuity across a broad enterprise technology estate whilst a permanent appointment is made.

The environment is complex, stakeholder-heavy and operationally critical, requiring a calm, resilient and highly credible technology leader who can "hold the fort", keep services running effectively and maintain momentum across ongoing initiatives.

The Role

You will lead a multidisciplinary function spanning:

Software engineering
Enterprise applications
Integrations and APIs
Data and reporting services
Operational support and service management

The focus is very much on:
Keeping the lights on
Operational continuity
Supporting stretched teams through transition
Managing stakeholder expectations
Maintaining delivery momentum
Ensuring stable and resilient services

This is not a large-scale transformation programme or greenfield engineering role. Instead, the organisation requires a safe pair of hands with strong operational leadership capability within a complex enterprise environment.

Key Experience Required

Experience leading enterprise application / software engineering / integration functions within large complex organisations ideally with experience within Higher Education or large public-sector organisations
Strong operational leadership and service management experience
Experience managing multidisciplinary technical teams and team leaders
Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
Experience operating within Higher Education, Public Sector, NHS, Housing or similarly complex regulated environments
Ability to manage competing priorities within stretched operational teams
Calm, resilient and pragmatic leadership style

Desirable
Experience across enterprise integrations, data/reporting platforms and operational governance
ITIL / service management background

Contract Details
3 months initially, likely extension
Rate c 700 per day Inside IR35
Hybrid working - London 2 days a week.
Immediate / short notice availability preferred

To progress matters please send your CV to (url removed)

Services advertised are those of an Employment Business.