Our client is a successful, established, and expanding Lloyd’s syndicate insurance firm. The opportunity has arisen for a hands-on Java Developer with Technical leadership experience to join an expanding organisation with limited technical debt that is putting technology first in a number of exciting business transformation and expansion programmes. Our client also offers exceptionally flexible working with in-person attendance on required a few days a month.

THE ROLE: Java Technical Lead

You will be a Java Developer with previous “Hands-on” technical leadership experience overseeing a team of 6 talented and enthusiastic software engineers delivering custom solutions to their end-user clients. This is a new role that has been created as the business headcount expands. You will report to the Head of Technical Delivery.

Whilst you will retain the opportunity to be hands-on, design, and code our client requires someone with demonstrable experience in leading a team, improving Agile SDLC processes, and managing stakeholder relationships. From a technical perspective, you will have a strong background in Middleware and Messaging based architecture (E.g. Kafka, RabbitMQ etc.) . Our client is FCA regulated so an emphasis and awareness of Security is essential. Whilst Cloud experience is not mandatory is it highly desirable as there are a number of greenfield initiatives related to Azure in the near future.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Java Technical Lead

• Lead the Agile development process, overseeing sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
• Guide and support team members on Agile methodologies, fostering an environment of openness, teamwork, and responsibility.
• Stay updated on emerging technologies, tools, and industry trends related to integration and middleware.
• Assess and suggest new technologies to improve the team's effectiveness and productivity.
• Offer technical direction and supervision to the development team, ensuring they adhere to coding standards, best practices, and architectural principles.
• Set a positive example in software development by actively participating in code reviews, pair programming sessions, and knowledge exchange.
• Work with stakeholders to define product goals, features, and outcomes, translating requirements into manageable user stories and tasks.
• Collaborate closely with various teams, including QA engineers and product managers, to deliver seamless and unified solutions.
• Define and monitor key Agile metrics like velocity, burndown charts, and cycle time to evaluate team performance and project progress.
• Serve as a liaison between technical and non-technical stakeholders, facilitating clear and efficient communication.
• Encourage knowledge-sharing efforts within the team and contribute to building a collective knowledge base.

SKILLS / EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Java Technical Lead

•  Proven track record of leading Agile development teams from a technical standpoint.
• Extensive experience (typically 8+ years) in various software engineering roles.
• Strong technical proficiency in software development, including expertise in programming languages and development tools like Spring Boot, SonarCloud, and Kafka (or similar Middleware and Messaging technologies).
• Thorough grasp of Agile principles and methodologies, emphasizing iterative development, continuous integration, and delivery.
• Familiarity with Agile project management platforms such as Jira, Trello, or Azure DevOps.
• Knowledgeable about cloud security protocols, data privacy regulations, and compliance standards.
• Understanding of network architectures, encompassing VPNs, CDNs, and DNS, along with a solid comprehension of system architectures and the interactions among different cloud components.