Chief of Staff, Engineering

Job description

The opportunity We are looking for a practical, credible leader who can turn Engineering priorities into measurable results. Working directly with the EVP Engineering and the Engineering leadership team, you will create focus, improve decision-making and ensure important commitments lead to action. You will work across a global Engineering organisation, bringing structure to complex issues, challenging constructively and helping leaders deliver. The role combines strategic judgement, operational discipline and hands-on execution. What you will do Own the operating rhythm for the Engineering leadership team, including leadership meetings, planning cycles, business reviews, quarterly business reviews and town halls. Turn strategy and leadership discussions into clear plans, decisions, owners and measurable outcomes. Lead high-priority, cross-functional initiatives from problem definition through to delivery. Work with Engineering directors, VPs and partners to address delays, challenge assumptions and resolve competing priorities. Create clear agendas, briefings, recommendations and communications for executive and wider audiences. Improve the flow of decisions, information and performance measures across Engineering and its partner functions. Build and maintain trusted Engineering reporting and KPIs that support better and faster decisions. Improve visibility of delivery health, dependencies, risks and trade-offs across Engineering. Use AI, automation and connected data to improve reporting, decision-making and the efficiency of Engineering’s operating rhythm. Partner with Product, Finance, People and other functions on planning, budgets, workforce priorities and organisational change. Support workforce planning, organisational design and investment decisions by connecting business priorities, capacity and delivery needs. Identify gaps in ownership or delivery and step in to create clarity and momentum. Bring an external perspective and challenge established ways of working where a better approach is possible. What success looks like In your first 90 days You have built trusted relationships with the EVP Engineering, the Engineering leadership team and key partners. You have taken ownership of the leadership operating rhythm, including agendas, decisions and action tracking. You understand the current planning, reporting and delivery landscape and have agreed the most important gaps to address. You have established credibility across Engineering through practical knowledge, sound judgement and reliable follow-through. In your first 12 months Planning, reviews, reporting and leadership communications run consistently and lead to clear decisions. Priority cross-functional initiatives move from discussion to delivery with visible ownership and measurable outcomes. Engineering leaders have trusted measures and reporting to support their decisions. Delivery risks, dependencies and trade-offs are identified and addressed earlier. The EVP Engineering and leadership team have greater capacity to focus on strategic and organisational priorities. Established ways of working have been constructively challenged and improved where needed. What you will bring A proven track record of delivering complex work across teams, functions and countries, gained through strategy, transformation, business operations, programme leadership or a similar role. A practical understanding of software engineering environments, with the credibility to work with technical leaders on delivery, quality, automation and operational performance. Hands-on industry experience and evidence that you have implemented change and delivered outcomes within an organisation. Experience working in a global software, SaaS or technology environment. The confidence to challenge senior stakeholders while maintaining trust and strong working relationships. Sound judgement and the ability to challenge constructively, handle sensitive issues and build trusted relationships. The ability to influence and mobilise others without relying on formal authority. Experience using data, automation or AI-enabled tools to improve planning, reporting or operational processes. Clear and concise written and verbal communication, with the ability to simplify complex topics for different audiences. The ability to work effectively with ambiguity, sensitive information and changing priorities. We are looking for the right mindset and capability rather than one fixed career path. You may come from business operations, transformation, programme leadership, product or engineering operations, or consulting followed by meaningful industry experience. Previous Chief of Staff experience is not essential. Who we are We are a people-first community that nurtures all the areas surrounding your working experience. With us, you will be part of a high-performing team that supports your authentic self and celebrates your uniqueness. We believe that ‘How work should feel’ is an evolving statement. Work goes beyond tasks and everyday responsibilities. It is about feeling valued, empowered, supported, impactful, seen and appreciated. We are reimagining how work makes people feel. What we offer A culture built on trust and accountability, giving you the freedom and autonomy to be successful and make an impact. Balance , with our Flexible Leave Paid Time Off policy, remote working opportunities, Global Wellbeing Days and other great benefits . Growth opportunities , with the tools and guidance you need to focus on what matters and achieve your best work. Talented colleagues , role models and mentors, giving you the opportunity to work with, learn from and be inspired by some of the best talent in the software industry. A commitment to sustainability , supported by our Environmental, Social and Governance strategy and Act4Good programme. A safe and inclusive working environment , supported by Employee Resource Groups that are open to everyone. Our commitment to equity Unit4 is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for everyone. We make our hiring decisions solely based on skills, qualifications and our current business needs. We know that diversity brings fresh perspectives, ideas and solutions to our company. This is the essence of our culture. We also welcome and encourage people who are pregnant and/or parents-to-be to apply. You can read more about our commitment to diversity: Our focus on DEI remains central to who we are Inclusive hiring at Unit4: Building equal opportunities for all Background checks This role may require security clearance for customer projects and access to sensitive customer data. After you have accepted an offer, we may ask you to complete background checks. Subject to applicable local laws, these checks may require the disclosure of personal information, including a criminal record declaration, right-to-work documentation, personal identification and work history. We will handle all information in accordance with applicable local privacy laws. Meet Unit4. With over 40 years of heritage, we are an agile, fast-growing cloud company on a mission to redefine Enterprise Resource Planning for mid-market, people-centric organisations. With our innovative, self-driving, adaptive and intuitive software, our customers can spend more time on meaningful, high-value work. At the heart of what we do is a simple purpose: to improve how people work by focusing on what truly matters. We are shaping how work should feel. We empower our people by providing the tools and autonomy they need to do their best work.