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Software Engineering Manager

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Engineering Manager
At a Glance
- First-ever Engineering Manager for a fast-moving product re-platform, build the management foundation from scratch
- Ruby on Rails backend, React frontend… sports technology at global scale
- Hybrid working from Belfast
- £120-130k plus equity and performance bonus
- Permanent
About the Company
Our client is a global technology business powering more than 7,000 organisations worldwide. Founded in 2006 and now 600+ people strong, they have built the leading operational platform in their sector and continue to grow at pace. This is a business with genuine product complexity, a strong engineering culture, and a Belfast team that is central to how the platform evolves.
The Role
This is a first-of-its-kind hire. The team is in the middle of a full re-platform, rebuilding an acquired system into a modern, native product, and it is picking up speed fast. You will be the first Engineering Manager this team has had, which means you are building the management foundation rather than inheriting one.
Day to day you will own roadmap delivery in partnership with Product and Operations, bring structure to planning and execution, and invest heavily in developing a talented early-career team in Belfast. If you are a strong engineer who has moved into management and wants real ownership over something that matters, this is worth your attention.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the V2 roadmap in close partnership with the Product Manager and General Manager of Operations, spanning legacy support, new customer onboarding, and ongoing migration to V2
- Drive issue assignment, capacity planning, and milestone delivery across the Belfast engineering team
- Build and run individual growth plans for a team weighted toward apprentice and early-career engineers, including tracking apprenticeship learning requirements and supporting progression through their programmes
- Give substantive technical feedback on your team's code, maintaining quality and standards throughout the re-platform
- Partner with other engineering managers across the business to align on apprentice standards and support cross-team integrations
- Provide in-person leadership and support to the Belfast team as the hybrid working model requires
What You'll Need
Essential:
- 6+ years of hands-on software engineering experience, with strong Ruby on Rails depth and enough React familiarity to cover the full product surface
- 2+ years of people management experience, ideally across a range of skill levels including early-career and apprentice engineers
- Demonstrable experience partnering closely with product owners and engineering peers across a collaborative organisation
- Strong technical judgement, this is not a coding-heavy role, but code review and architectural input are expected
- Based within commutable distance of Belfast, with availability for in-office presence a couple of days per week
- Right to work in the UK (this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship)


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Nice to have:
- Infrastructure as Code experience
- Hands-on exposure to AI tooling or LLM-integrated features
- Familiarity with NI or UK government programmes such as apprenticeship schemes or grant funding
Why Apply?
- £120-130k plus equity and performance bonus
- Hybrid working from Belfast with a collaborative in-person team
- First Engineering Manager on this team, real ownership, no inherited system to maintain
- Lead a meaningful re-platform at pace within a genuinely growing global business
- Invest in and develop a high-potential early-career engineering cohort
- Part of a 600+ person organisation with strong cross-functional support and clear engineering standards
Next Steps
To discuss in confidence, connect with Ryan Quinn on LinkedIn or reach out directly at ryan@ochopeople.com.
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