Application Development Manager

OverviewWe are working with a major global financial services organisation undergoing a large-scale technology modernisation programme. As part of this transformation, they are investing heavily in cloud-native platforms, microservices architectures, and AI-driven engineering practices. They are looking for an Application Development Manager (VP level) to join their engineering function, playing a key role in building and evolving modern, scalable applications within an agile delivery environment. Key Responsibilities • Design, develop, test, and maintain high-quality, scalable software applications across the full SDLC • Build and enhance Java-based, containerised microservices, contributing to cloud-ready architectures • Analyse, optimise, and modernise existing applications to meet evolving business, regulatory, and technical requirements • Drive best practices in agile engineering, including: • CI/CD pipelines • Test automation • Code reviews • AI-assisted development • Collaborate within cross-functional agile teams, ensuring alignment across engineering and business stakeholders Required Skills & Experience • Proven experience in Java-based application development within enterprise environments • Strong understanding of: • Microservices architectures • Containerisation technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) • Build and deployment pipelines (CI/CD) • Experience working with relational databases (Oracle preferred) • Solid understanding of the full software development lifecycle • Experience working in agile delivery environments (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) Desirable Experience • Experience within financial services or regulated industries • Exposure to platform modernisation or transformation initiatives • Familiarity with cloud-native development practices • Experience leveraging AI-assisted development tools and automation Soft Skills & Attributes • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills • Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams • Proactive approach with a strong sense of ownership and accountability • Passion for continuous improvement and modern engineering practices • Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities