Engineering Manager

Looking for an exciting and rewarding career?

theidol.com is looking for an Engineering Manager to lead and develop high-performing software engineering team members to deliver reliable, scalable, and innovative technology solutions that meet business objectives.

The Idol is a successful financial technology business based on the edge of the stunning Lake District National Park in Cumbria. Our location offers the opportunity for an exceptional work life balance, allowing you to enjoy the countryside, find inspiration and unwind.

We’ve been innovating in financial services since 1999 and are dedicated to transforming insurance technology to protect what matters.

As part of the Legal & General Group (since 2010), we proudly partner with household brands such as Go.Compare, ComparetheMarket and Confused.

We are committed to early adoption of new technologies, progressive working practices and supporting everyone to be accountable to deliver their best quality work.

Apply Now

If you feel you have the skills and experience required to join the team at theidol.com, please send us your CV, contact details and a short statement about you and your suitability for the role.

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Overview

As Engineering Manager, you will be responsible for creating an environment of accountability through technical excellence, psychological safety, and continuous improvement, while balancing delivery commitments with long-term technical strategy. With a high-level view over a number of squads, the Engineering Manager oversees the quality and timeliness of performance delivery of software solutions produced by all team members, liaising between technology, product, and business stakeholders to ensure the achievement of business objectives.

Principle accountabilities

Managing team capacity, prioritisation, and resource allocation to build high performing teams that meet business commitments effectively, balancing team bandwidth against business priorities and eliminating resourcing / skillset single points of failure.
Setting and managing performance and skills targets of the engineering teams, ensuring a balanced and fair approach to performance and talent management.
Recruiting, coaching and developing team members, fostering career growth, continuous feedback loops, and engagement with the organisational culture.
Creating growth and career progression, supporting promotions and succession planning with the engineering team.
Drive accountability for high-quality timely delivery of software solutions within software engineering squads, balancing speed, quality and business value.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within software engineering squads by identifying, addressing and learning from systemic challenges.
Facilitating two-way communication between squads and internal stakeholders regarding business and product strategy, and technology approaches.
Managing conflict and disputes should they occur to maintain team dynamics, culture and cohesion.
Championing diversity, equality, and inclusion, ensuring an environment where all team members can thrive.
Acting as a key stakeholder in shaping technology strategy, roadmaps and long-term planning.
Encouraging experimentation and adoption of new technologies, tools and approaches to strengthen the organisation’s competitive advantage.
Consider, relevant to the role, the needs and objectives of all our customers, including vulnerable customers, to ensure that they receive good outcomes.

Person specification

Knowledge, experience and qualifications

Proven experience managing dynamic engineering teams in a fast-paced environment.
Experience coaching and mentoring engineers at various skill levels.
Strong background in software engineering with experience across modern programming languages.
Solid understanding of software engineering principles, quality practices and delivery methodologies.
Proven track record of successful delivery of complex technology projects, balancing technical debt, quality and speed.
Experience with agile methodologies, CI/CD, DevOps and cloud-based infrastructure.
Familiarity with information security, compliance and regulatory standards relevant to the organisation and financial services industry.
Familiarity balancing technical depth with organisational and business objectives.
Familiarity scaling engineering teams and managing cross-team dependencies.
You must act to deliver good outcomes for retail customers

Behaviours

Leads by example – modelling integrity, accountability, and professionalism in all interactions.
People-focussed leader – builds trust, delegates effectively, empowers teams and invests in individual growth. Above all else, cares deeply about people and their development.
Strategically minded – able to align technical execution with business vision and long-term goals.
Communicates with clarity – provides verbal and written communication in English that is clear and concise for technical colleagues and non-technical stakeholders.
Adaptable and resilient – thrives in ambiguity, navigating change effectively, and maintaining composure under pressure.
Decisive yet collaborative – makes sound technical and organisational decisions while engaging the right stakeholders.
Embraces feedback and challenge – invites diverse viewpoints and positively challenges assumptions to achieve better solutions.
Outcome-driven – focuses on delivering business and customer value.
Champion of culture – promotes inclusivity, psychological safety, and continuous improvement.
Innovates with purpose – explores new technologies and practices thoughtfully.
Takes ownership and accountability for their role and conduct to ensure good outcomes for customers and empowering their team to do the same.

Further information

This is a full-time Monday to Friday role working an average 37.5 hours per week.
Hybrid flexible home/office working supported. There is a requirement to attend the office in Cumbria approximately twice a month or as frequently is required to meet the role requirements (expenses will be provided depending on your location).
Salary in the range of £60,000 to £80,000 depending on experience, 27 days holiday plus public holidays, plus performance-rated bonus, enhanced pension, and generous private medical, family, sickness and insurance benefits, and share schemes.
A full role profile can be downloaded -here

Over to You

If you have a genuine enthusiasm and an ability to quickly adapt to new technologies, you may be just what we’re looking for!

Apply here...

What’s in it for you?

Your Money

Taking care of your financial wellbeing, and making your money go further.

Performance bonus

Annual bonus based on individual performance.

Yearly pay increases

We review your salary annually, to make sure we’re paying you fairly.

Pension scheme

Up to 10% employer pension contribution.

Share scheme

Access to our Legal & General share schemes.

Your Health

Taking care of your physical and mental wellbeing.

Work life balance

Hybrid home or office working to help strike the perfect balance for you, while supporting your expenses to visit the office.

Health and Dental Insurance

Access to private medical plans for you and your family.

Employee Assistance Programme

Free, day-to-day wellbeing and counselling service.

Virtual GP

Fast and direct access to a Virtual GP and Mental Health service.

Tailored office environment

Life at Team Idol.

Social events

Exceptional events delivered by our social committee team.

Breakout rooms

Spacious meeting rooms and breakout areas.

Drinks and snacks

Complimentary hot and soft drinks, free fruit and a lunch allowance while at the office.

Free parking and charging

Access to electric charging points and no need to worry about parking charges!

Your life

Protecting you and your family.

Death in service insurance

Insurance to protect you and your family at 8 times your salary.

Holidays

Generous holiday allowance and the ability to buy and sell holidays according to your needs.

Work+Family Space

Access to advice, guidance, resources to balance work and caring responsibilities.

Income protection

Support if you are unable to work in the long-term due to illness or injury.

Where we are

Based in Eden Business Park, our modern office space reflects our culture and how we want to work. Step outside and you’re instantly looking out onto the Thacka Beck Nature Reserve.

We love where we live and we’re proud to remain a homegrown Cumbrian technology business. This pride extends to embracing our role in the community to champion, inspire and develop digital skills.

What to expect

We create a rewarding working environment for our teams to develop, collaborate and enjoy. Expect high energy, creative flair, attention to detail and an embraced adoption of new technologies.

Working in agile development squads, our teams freely exchange ideas and expert knowledge - sharing this both with each other and our clients. This approach encourages for continuous improvement, ensuring the projects we deliver are as truly considered and innovative as possible.

Find your balance

Adopting a healthy work life balance is an essential part of our culture. We offer flexible working hours, remote or blended home/office working, as well as funded social events.

Our modern, custom-built office is the perfect working environment for our teams, with spacious social working areas, free hot/cold drinks and fresh fruit. Facilities include an on-site gym, showers and table tennis.

Challenge yourself

Continuous professional development is more to us than ticking a box. It underpins our approach and belief in the value of personal and professional growth.

Training is accessible to everyone in all roles and across all levels, enabling you to develop and deliver your best work with us.

Working with you, we’ll identify and build a tailored development plan. Training opportunities include short courses and bootcamps, through to apprenticeships and industry-recognised qualifications.

You’re in good company

It’s important, dare we say essential, to enjoy what we do and have fun at work. Our staff-led social events team organises exceptional social events, including Christmas parties, axe-throwing, cheese and wine evenings, bake off events and even trips to the Crystal Maze!

Our annual summer party brings everyone together in the heart of the Lake District for an evening of live music, free food and drink.