Overview
- Salary: £50,000–£65,000 p.a. (dependent on experience) + share options
- Reporting to: CEO
- Contract: Permanent
- Location: Remote-based
Patchwork Hub is a rapidly scaling business in the recruitment and technology sector, committed to transforming the employment landscape for disabled and neurodivergent people. As a disabled-led social enterprise, we are passionate about closing the disability employment gap and creating a world where every individual is given the opportunity to thrive in work, achieving ‘decent work for all’.
To support our ambitious growth and long-term strategy, we are seeking a Founding Engineer (Head of Technology) to join our leadership team. This is a unique opportunity for a technology leader who is not only passionate about strategy and leadership but also eager to roll up their sleeves and engage in hands-on development work. You will drive the digital innovation that powers our inclusive employment platform, enabling us to scale our impact across the UK and beyond.
The role would suit a dynamic, results-driven leader who has a track record of delivering innovative technical solutions within a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Company Background
Patchwork Hub is an award-winning, disabled-led employment platform and jobs board. Our platform connects disabled and neurodivergent people, carers, and others needing accessible work practices to job opportunities with inclusive employers.
Alongside our jobs board, we also support employers across their whole accessibility and disability inclusion journey, from attraction and recruitment to retention of talent. We provide a range of training, consultancy and support packages to drive forward change within organisations.
Our technology is central to our growth. A PHP-based web application is the foundation of our technological offering, with plans to build integrations with third party systems, explore AI-powered job matching and future expectations of an app version of our employment platform.
About the Role
As the Founding Engineer and Technology Lead, you'll lead our digital transformation, engaging directly in the development of our various digital platforms and leading the strategic direction of our technology.
You will be responsible for the development, improvement and smooth functioning of Patchwork Hub’s web application and core digital services. You will also provide oversight of critical infrastructure, key relationships, process improvement and embedding best practice around digital accessibility.
The successful candidate will also work closely with the CEO and other colleagues across a range of internal work, to ensure delivery of frontend and backend responsiveness of our platform.
The role requires a driven individual with a strong background in project management and technology development, proven track record in successfully delivering technical solutions to costs and budget and with a keen interest in leadership, accessibility and disability inclusion.
As such, we welcome candidates who have lived experience of disability and/or the barriers our talent pool can face in employment.
Key Responsibilities:
Technology Leadership:
- Oversee the administration and development of Patchwork Hub’s web application and associated business technology infrastructure, ensuring a robust and effective system.
- Ownership of our product roadmap, providing leadership and direction for the organisation's technology strategy, infrastructure, systems, and applications.
- Take ownership of features end-to-end, from concept through to deployment and maintenance.
- Lead on the accessibility of Patchwork Hub’s website, ensuring we reach and maintain WCAG 2.1/2 AAA standard.
- Manage relationships with technology vendors and service providers.
- Stay abreast of technological developments, recommending and implementing innovative technology solutions for the business.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and report on the effectiveness of technology processes.
Development and Coding:
- Engage directly in hands-on coding.
- Provide architectural and technical design direction.
- Code review, testing and quality assurance of product and deployment onto live site.
Compliance and Risk Management:
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards, particularly regarding data protection and cybersecurity.
- Develop and implement risk management strategies and reporting, related to technology functions.
Team Leadership & Collaboration:
- Lead and project manage any subcontractors from product development to deployment, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence.
- As part of the senior leadership team within Patchwork Hub, working closely with CEO and other senior leaders to drive progress and the direction of the business in this critical stage of expansion and growth.
- Engage with customers and users to gather feedback and insights, using this information to guide product improvements.
Budget Management and Business Growth:
- Develop, manage and report on the technology budget, ensuring cost-effective utilisation of resources against agreed budgets and timescales.
About you
Essential Skills and Attributes
- Proven experience in a leadership role overseeing and owning technology functions.
- Product minded - we're looking for an individual who gets excited about building a product that solves problems for users, not necessarily just about the technical side of things.
- Strong coding skills, with detailed and practical experience in full-stack software development and technology infrastructure.
- Proficiency in: Languages (PHP - Laravel framework desired, Javascript, HTML5 and CSS3). Database management (SQL /NoSQL). Cloud services (experience with AWS, InMotion, Azure or similar)
- Knowledge of and commitment to implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to Level AA/AAA standard.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and team-working skills.
- Strong strategic planning and project management skills (owning the technology strategy, roadmap and vision), with a track record of building and managing high performing teams, while also being an active contributor to the codebase.
- Future-Oriented Developer: Enthusiastic about R&D for future advancements, including tech-enabled sourcing, AI-empowered job matching, UX/UI optimisation and multi-platform integrations.
- Excited to contribute towards a small, fast-growing company and committed to growing with the company to support its long-term success.
Desirable Skills and Attributes
- Previous work experience in a similar position within a busy scale-up environment.
- Experience of delivering and maintaining compliant technical solutions - including meeting GDPR and cybersecurity requirements.
- Demonstrated experience in process improvement and change management.
- Knowledge and interest in disability inclusion and accessibility.
- Cyber security background - whether that's securing applications, working in a more IT role previously or red team activities.
- In-depth knowledge of technology trends and their application to business operations.
Other Requirements
- Availability to work outside regular office hours when required, demonstrating a commitment to the success of the organisation.
- Flexibility to travel occasionally across the country, as/if needed.
Benefits
True to Patchwork Hub’s values and vision, we believe that when our team members work in a way that removes barriers for them, it benefits the whole organisation.
Benefits offered include:
- Autonomy and product ownership - Helping to shape and share the rewards of an expanding business.
- A chance to grow with the organisation - As we grow, so will the role, with opportunities to lead new initiatives and play a key role in our expansion.
- Remote Working / Working from home.
- Flexible Working.
- EMI Share Option - Attractive equity options, allowing you to share in the success of the business.
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.
- A commitment to your learning and development, with opportunities and a chance to expand your skill-set and advance your career.
- A supportive team of knowledgeable, driven and passionate colleagues.
Accessibility Statement
As a disabled-led business, Patchwork Hub is committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are barrier-free and as inclusive as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.
If you would like us to do anything differently during the recruitment process, please contact our hiring manager at [email protected] or 020 3916 5773.
How to Apply - The Recruitment Process
Selection Process: Application > 1st stage interview > Technical Skills assessment > Final stage interview > Work trial
The first step is simply to apply. Send us your CV and a supporting statement detailing why you think you would be a good fit for this opportunity to [email protected].
Your application will then be reviewed by our hiring manager. If your application is progressed, you will have an online or telephone screening call that will allow us to assess your potential fit with the position. This will also be an opportunity for you to ask us any questions you may have and judge if you feel you would be a good match for the role.
Application Closing date: 30th October 2024 - applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so may close earlier.
Equal Opportunities
Patchwork Hub is committed to being an inclusive employer, welcoming candidates regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, neurodiversity, or caring responsibilities.
The ethical and business case of ensuring that our workforce is representative of wider society is at the heart of our work. If you believe you have most of the skills to fulfil the role we encourage you to apply. We particularly welcome applications from people who also have lived experience in reference to our mission, in particular disabled and neurodivergent people.