Interim Head of Software Engineering

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 Services advertised are those of an Employment Business