NB: 2nd interview consists of three tests as follows:

One is a technical test – how would you approach a technical problem

One is a screen share

One is a load of code and you have to spot the errors.

Central Gov

Ongoing upgrades on existing systems - support development work.

Good .Net / MVC / C#, asp.net. azure.

**SC cleared **  SC lapsed if left in the last year, but if expired no good.

Tony has team of 5/6 Developers.  About 70 altogether in the UK accross Civica.

(You will be on-call one weeknight per week and one weekend per month, which will be compensated.)

(Chris Barrett was offered but declined as found job elsewhere). 

Location - preference for Bristol / South West.  Look accross whole of UK - perhaps within 1.5 of a Civica office, but preference would be South West. 

Interview 1: MS Teams interview with Tony (Tony will try and put them off)

Interview 2: MS Teams again but with technical test in .Net.

- up to £50k + on call for being available, (worth £3 - 4K), and an overtime rate if they have to do anything - but this is rare. 

- works in Central Gov (consultancy not products)

- this team are responsible for ongoing updates to existing solutions. Example i give is DORS project (speeding ticket booking) - https://offer.ndors.org.uk/#/home 

- Home based but there will be team meetings. Contractually they will be linked to an office but won't be expected to go in any set days

- Preference is Bristol / South West

- must have valid SC. so need names, DOB, NI number and SC reference.

- on call (it's paid) - You will be on-call one weeknight per week and one weekend per month, which will be compensated (worth approx £3.5k / £4k a year - i think)

Need to double check these:

Weekday: £45 per day

Weekend: £75 per day

* High profile customers

* Fully remote role

* Great team!

Need to check their SC before we submit. 

- just need a good C#.Net dev with MVC and ASP.Net

Test Automation Manager
Permanent
Location: UK – Remote
Salary: Dependant on experience (+ Employee Benefits)

Skills: Team Management, ETRM (ie. Openlink Endur) Energy / Financial Trading experience, QA Team management, BDD, CI/CD, Python, Java etc.

We’re recruiting a talented Test Automation Manager for a leading software company that develops advanced solutions for trading and risk management across global financial and energy markets.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Test Automation Manager with proven team management experience to take ownership of automation practices and guide small, skilled teams. You’ll play a key role in driving an automation-first culture, ensuring quality and scalability across complex, high-volume systems.

This is a UK based fully remote role.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for 5+ years in Automation Test Team Management / Lead roles with strong experience in test automation as well as Testing of ETRM platforms such as OpenLink Endur.  Also, as many of the following as possible:

• Programming & Scripting: Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, Scriban
• Web Technologies: RESTful APIs, HTTP, JSON, HTML, CSS, Node.js
• Databases: SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB
• Tools & Frameworks: Git, Docker, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Agile (Scrum & Kanban), JIRA, Pytest, Powershell
• Operating Systems: Linux, Windows

Additional skills that will set you apart:

• CI/CD pipelines and debugging expertise
• BDD frameworks such as Cucumber
• Strong problem-solving mindset and collaborative approach

Industry background

Experience in the following sectors is highly desirable (in order of preference):

• Energy/Financial Trading (knowledge of Endur, Allegro or Findur platforms beneficial but not essential)
• Regulated software industries
• High volume, high complexity data systems

Lead Automation Tester
Permanent
Location: UK – Remote
Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 (+ benefits)

Skills: Team Management, Python, Java, CI/CD, BDD (Cucumber), Energy / Financial Trading experience (desirable)

We’re recruiting a Lead Automation Tester for a leading software company that develops advanced solutions for trading and risk management across global financial and energy markets.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Automation Engineer with proven team leadership or management experience to take ownership of automation practices and guide a small, skilled team. You’ll play a key role in driving an automation-first culture, ensuring quality and scalability across complex, high-volume systems.

This is a UK based fully remote role.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for strong experience in test automation with as many of the following as possible:

• Programming & Scripting: Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, Scriban
• Web Technologies: RESTful APIs, HTTP, JSON, HTML, CSS, Node.js
• Databases: SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB
• Tools & Frameworks: Git, Docker, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Agile (Scrum & Kanban), JIRA, Pytest, Powershell
• Operating Systems: Linux, Windows

Additional skills that will set you apart:

• CI/CD pipelines and debugging expertise
• BDD frameworks such as Cucumber
• Strong problem-solving mindset and collaborative approach

Industry background

Experience in the following sectors is highly desirable (in order of preference):

• Energy/Financial Trading (knowledge of Endur, Allegro or Findur platforms beneficial but not essential)
• Regulated software industries
• High volume, high complexity data systems

Chat GPT questions:

1. Scaling & Growth
"Can you tell me about a time you’ve helped scale a software business — what were the key challenges you faced, and what changes did you put in place to support growth?"

✔ Covers scaling a business and knowing what “good” looks like.

2. Embedding Best Practices
"What processes or best practices have you introduced in an engineering organisation to improve delivery, resilience, or team effectiveness — and how did you ensure they stuck?"

✔ Covers embedding best practices, delivery velocity, and resilience.

3. Taking Over from a Founder
"This role involves stepping into a position previously held by the founder, who will remain as Chairman. How have you managed situations where you’ve had to take over from a very visible or influential leader, and how would you approach this dynamic?"

✔ Tests emotional intelligence, diplomacy, and ability to navigate founder influence.

4. Setting the Standard (‘Good’ Looks Like)
"In your view, what does ‘good’ look like in terms of engineering operations and delivery in a SaaS business, and how have you implemented that in previous roles?"

✔ Checks candidate has a benchmark from lived experience, not just theory.

5. Cascading Strategy into Execution
"How do you typically gather strategic objectives from the business, and then translate and cascade them effectively into engineering and product teams?"

✔ Covers communication, alignment, and glue role between CTO, product, and engineering.

Bonus (Customer-Facing Leadership):
"This role is customer-facing as well as internally focused. Can you share an example where you’ve had to handle a customer escalation or support a sales/RFP process from a technical standpoint?"

✔ From the spec — ensures they’re not just internally strong, but also comfortable with customers.

Scaling & Resilience

1. When you’ve inherited an engineering team during a period of growth, what were the first things you looked at to ensure scalability and resilience?

2. Can you give an example of how you reduced knowledge concentration within a team and built resilience through documentation, cross-training, or other approaches?

3. What strategies have you used to balance delivery velocity with system stability in a SaaS environment?

Leadership & Team Culture

4. How have you developed or reshaped a team culture when joining as a new leader, especially in a team with long-serving members?

5. Tell me about a time you’ve led geographically dispersed teams. What worked well and what lessons did you learn?

6. How do you mentor and grow technical leaders (e.g., system architects) while still ensuring accountability for delivery?

Working with Founders / Stakeholders

7. This role involves stepping in after a founder — how would you establish credibility with both the team and senior leadership while respecting their legacy?

8. How have you handled situations where a senior stakeholder had a strong personal view on how things should be done, but you felt a different approach was better?

Defining ‘Good’ & Best Practice

9. If you were dropped into this role tomorrow, what key metrics would you track to understand whether engineering operations are “good” or not?

10. Can you give an example where you transformed engineering delivery by embedding new processes or best practices? How did you measure success?

11. What does effective collaboration between engineering and product look like to you — and what pitfalls have you seen when that relationship goes wrong?

Customer-Facing Leadership

12. How have you engaged with customers to gather feedback on technical performance or service quality, and how did you feed that back into engineering?

13. Tell me about a time you’ve been involved in a customer escalation — how did you balance technical reality with the need to protect relationships?

14. What role have you played in supporting RFPs or pre-sales conversations, and how do you tailor technical input for non-technical audiences?

Financial & Commercial Awareness

15. How have you managed engineering budgets or optimised delivery to reduce marginal cost of sale?

16. Can you share an example where financial or commercial objectives clashed with engineering priorities — how did you resolve it?

Process & Continuous Improvement

17. How have you introduced or improved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in a growing business?

18. What tools, metrics, or frameworks have you found most useful for monitoring delivery health (e.g., sprint health, velocity, release cadence)?

19. How do you approach risk management in engineering operations, and can you share a time where proactive risk identification saved a business from a major issue?

my notes:

• Call with Paul Brown
• Have placed – Theo Eguahon & Diogo

• Plagiarism / AI detection produce – acquired Besart’s company – going to stay 1 day a week

• Talks about sales and working with the customer – translation requirements

• Besart – founder and product evanilegist – like the CEO becoming the Chairman

• There is a good product person in that division

• More of a business scaling technical director type of person – report in to Paul

• Product in to Brent, then technical aspects in to Paul

• Paul has a VP of Engineering already – this person is more of a glue at the operating level

• More COO sitting alongside product

• Eg new brief from the business – this person to be at the front and driving it, cascade to product, engineering, how it looks

• Paul has been CTO of marketing servives, had to someone at director level – how they price it, glue things together

• Need to help that business scale – eg a director in a medium sized business – need to know what good looks like, from established company

• 3 – 6 months will be Mon – Fri in Kosovo. Likely not to have family ties. Once established, and get culture change, be more hands off

• Look in UK and Portugal

• Doesn’t major enough it needs to be background in technology and saas

• There is a solid principal engineer so can separate

• Double agent – report to Paul and implement org changes, and keep team on side

• 70% engineering – and scaling

• Person in post by Jan 2026 – shortlist within 3 weeks

MOD Sales Consultant
3 Month Contract - Part Time
Location: Home / London (Hybrid)
Day Rate: £350 - £400 per day (OUTSIDE IR35)

We’re working with a leading provider of software and technology solutions to the MOD and wider Defence sector, seeking a highly connected Strategic Engagement Lead / Account Executive on an initial 3 month contract.

This is a flexible part time position working 2 / 3 days a week.

This is a strategic, high-impact role focused on leveraging your existing MOD network—particularly at senior military and command levels—to help identify new opportunities and strengthen client engagement.

This is not a cold business development role; the emphasis is on trusted relationships, insight into MOD buying cycles, and helping shape the organisation’s Defence sales strategy using your knowledge and access.

Key Responsibilities:

• Client Access & Influence: Leverage your MOD network (ideally 1–3 star level or equivalent) to open the right doors and facilitate strategic conversations.
• Sales Enablement: Collaborate with internal sales teams to inform and shape positioning, value propositions, and go-to-market plans.
• Stakeholder Insight: Provide strategic guidance on MOD procurement processes, decision-making hierarchies, and timelines.
• Opportunity Shaping: Help qualify and steer high-value opportunities through early engagement and relationship development.
• Advisory Role: Act as a trusted adviser internally on Defence sector priorities, structure, and key influencers.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience in a senior MOD, military, or Defence-facing commercial role (e.g., senior officer, Defence consultant, or client engagement lead).
• A highly developed personal network of senior MOD stakeholders (preferably 1*, 2*, or 3* ranks, or equivalent civilian influence).
• A deep understanding of how the MOD evaluates, selects, and procures technology solutions.
• Credibility and presence to engage with senior military, command, or operational leadership.
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to act as a bridge between operational Defence needs and technical/software offerings.

This role would suit someone who’s recently left service or transitioned into the tech sector, and wants to use their Defence relationships to make an impact.

Key Account Manager - EPOS/SaaS/Contract Catering

Home Based with UK Travel

£50k Basic, Car Allowance & realistic 90=95k OTE

My Client a leading provider of Payment/EPOS Solutions within the Public & Private Sector require a Key Account Manager to be is responsible for managing a key Client in the Contract Caterting Sector, cross and Up selling Software/SaaS, Hardware and IT Services to this Client. You will be responsible for fostering and developing strong relationships with numrous contacts within the account. The aim is to drive back to base sales growth within this account through a sales-through-service approach, maximising revenue from the client and  minimising attrition.

Responsibilites:

• Use a consultative sales approach to understand client needs and provide tailored Payment/EPOS solutions.
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the Company’s product portfolio and awareness of competitor products
• Maintaining an awareness of industry trends and reporting back to Product Management and Marketing
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key accounts at both operational and strategic levels.
• Lead contract negotiations and renewals, ensuring mutually beneficial terms and long-term account satisfaction.
• Develop and execute account-specific strategies and business plans to achieve revenue and profitability goals.
• Respond to and follow up all sales enquiries using appropriate methods and in a timely manner
• Develop and maintain a qualified sales pipeline of sufficient size and appropriate stage of the buying cycle to enable achievement of agreed sales targets
• Ensure all monthly sales targets (KPIs) set by management and agreed on in advance are met or exceeded
• Fulfil reporting requirements according to the deadlines set for the Department
• Identify the needs and wants of a potential customer and map a solution to meet these needs
• Demonstrate software solutions and associated products in person or over the Internet
• Handle objections and alleviate risks from potential sales opportunities
• Prepare and present quotations/proposals to sales opportunities
• Negotiate and close sales
• Maximise profit on all potential sales opportunities
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships, alliances and networks within industry (or any other vertical market) as well as with other key stakeholders to generate sales leads)

Skills Required:

• Proven 5 years+ experience selling software solutions/SaaS ideally EPOS solutions within the Contract catering Sector
• Proven record of over achievement of sales targets
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to close sales
• Experience using CRM tools like Salesforce
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation communications skills
• A moderate to high degree of computer literacy and technical competency is a must
• Demonstrable evidence of organizing customer accounts and projection implementation
• A desire to solve customer problems
• An innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. Perseveres to be successful with the ability to overcome objections to achieve sales targets
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to build relationships with senior management and C-suite stakeholders over the phone through value-added conversations
• Self-motivated and driven with the ability to work independently and autonomously
• Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to clearly understand and address client requirements
• Technical proficiency and aptitude with the ability to quickly pick up and understand software product features
• Excellent listening, interpersonal and communication skills

Enterprise Architect
Permanent
Location: Home / Hampshire (Hybrid)
Salary: £100,000 - £110,000 (+ benefits)

Skills: TOGAF, Zachman, Sparx, OWASP, NCSC

Are you a seasoned Enterprise Architect with a passion for designing modular, scalable, and future-ready technology solutions?

We’re working with a leading technology consultancy delivering a high-impact transformation programme within central government. This is an opportunity to shape the strategic technology roadmap of a critical public sector organisation by embedding best-practice architecture and capability-led design.

About the Role

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will play a key role in translating business needs into robust enterprise and solution architectures. You will work closely with technical and non-technical stakeholders to define current and future states, identify opportunities for reuse and modularity, and enable agile delivery of strategic outcomes.

This is a hybrid role with travel to the Hampshire area approximately 2 days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain enterprise architecture artefacts, roadmaps, and standards
• Align architecture with wider business, data, and technology strategies
• Support capability-based planning and service-oriented architecture
• Provide architectural oversight across the full delivery lifecycle
• Engage with senior stakeholders to influence direction and drive value
• Contribute to pre-sales and business development activities as needed

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience as an Enterprise Architect, ideally on public sector or regulated industry programmes
• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF, MODAF, NAF, or equivalent)
• Ability to model architectures across business, application, data, and technology domains
• Comfortable producing capability maps, roadmaps, and system views using tools like Sparx EA or ArchiMate
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills across technical and leadership levels
• TOGAF certification (or similar) is preferred

Bonus Points For:

• Experience with modular or service-oriented architecture design
• Familiarity with defence or central government ecosystems
• Understanding of data security, interoperability, or command & control systems

Automation Tester (ETRM Platforms)
Permanent
Location: UK – Remote
Salary: £55,000 - £90,000 (+ benefits)

Skills: ETRM platform experience, (Openlink Endur, Findur etc.), Automation testing Python, Java etc.

We are seeking Automation Testers, (up to Lead Tester), for a leading software company that delivers advanced solutions for trading and risk management across global financial and energy markets.

There are options for both fully remote and hybrid / London working.

What you’ll bring

Essential skills include strong experience in test automation with an ETRM platform with as many of the following as possible:

• Programming & Scripting: Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, Scriban
• Web Technologies: RESTful APIs, HTTP, JSON, HTML, CSS, Node.js
• Databases: SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB
• Tools & Frameworks: Git, Docker, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Agile (Scrum & Kanban), JIRA, Pytest, Powershell
• Operating Systems: Linux, Windows

Additional skills that will set you apart:

• CI/CD pipelines and debugging expertise
• BDD frameworks such as Cucumber
• Strong problem-solving mindset and collaborative approach

Industry background

Experience in the following sectors is highly desirable (in order of preference):

• Energy/Financial Trading (k
• Regulated software industries
• High volume, high complexity data systems