Director of Engineering

A message before you read on: We know that many talented leaders, especially women, will look at a role of this scope and wonder if they need to check every single box to apply. Let us be clear: you do not. If you are a leader who is passionate about developing people, clearing obstacles, and building supportive environments, we strongly encourage you to put your name forward. Experience is important, but your approach to leadership is what we value most.

About the opportunity: We are partnering with a leading financial services company to appoint their very first Director of Engineering. This isn't a role where you'll be stepping into someone else's shoes. This is a greenfield opportunity to build a leadership function from the ground up, designed to support and champion their talented engineering leaders.

They have created this role because they believe that investing in their people is the key to their success. They are looking for a leader who shares that belief.

The role: Champion our leaders, empower our teams. Your primary mission is to be the catalyst for success for 23 Engineering Managers and their 130 developers. Think of yourself as a leader of leaders: your focus is on their growth, their challenges, and their effectiveness. You will be the voice at the executive table ensuring your teams have what they need to thrive.

This role is less about technical mandates and more about human-centric leadership. It's for someone who gets genuine satisfaction from seeing others succeed because of the environment you helped create.

We are looking for a leader who:

• Believes that clearing a blocker for a team is as important as any strategic plan.
• Is a natural coach and mentor, invested in the professional journeys of the people they lead.
• Might describe their leadership style as "supportive," "enabling," or "servant-hearted."
• Values open communication, psychological safety, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Is ready to step into a role with significant scope because they know they don't have to have all the answers on day one—they just need the right mindset to find them.

You should apply, even if:

• You don't have the exact title "Director of Engineering" on your CV yet. Your experience leading other leaders is what counts.
• Your career path hasn't been a perfect straight line. Diverse experiences build more empathetic and effective leaders.
• You're motivated by collective achievement rather than individual glory.

Why you'll thrive here:

• Build Your Legacy: This is a new role. You will define it with your unique strengths and perspective.
• Genuine Executive Support: You will have active sponsors in the C-suite who want you to succeed and will back your decisions.
• Impact Where It Matters: Directly improve the daily work lives of over 150 people by creating a more enabled and supportive engineering culture.
• Grow as a Leader: This company is committed to your development with dedicated coaching and resources.

If this role sparks your interest but that voice of doubt whispers "what if...?", we urge you to quiet it and apply. Let's have a conversation. You might be exactly the leader we're looking for. Or perhaps this isn't the job for you and you like the sound of my style, get in touch with Dale Vardy |  |

At BLACKROC Recruitment, we are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We welcome applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including those with lived experiences.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please don't hesitate to reach out to the above-mentioned BLACKROC Consultant.