Head of Technology

MyFirst is the UK’s fastest growing insurance brand with a solid core platform, a small and enthusiastic development team, and big ambitions to become a digital led, AI and innovation-led business.

The opportunity:

This isn’t a maintenance role. You’ll head up a team of three developers and systems engineers, own the technical direction of our Open GI platform and API landscape, and turn a pragmatic, hands-on department into an engine for innovation.

That means real influence: you’ll shape the roadmap, choose where AI and automation can transform how we work, and build the practices that let a small team punch well above its weight. You’ll report to the COO with a seat at the table where you can help share the future.

What you’ll do:

• Set the direction. Own the technology roadmap and our digital, AI and innovation strategy, from idea to live service.
• Put AI to work. Pilot and deploy automation and AI where it genuinely improves quoting, service, renewals and reporting, with the right guardrails.
• Make our APIs best in class. Lead design, security and governance for the integrations that connect us to partners and customers.
• Build a team that wants to stay. Coach engineers at different stages of their careers and give them room to grow.
• Raise the standard. Introduce practical delivery practices, from release management to incident response, that fit a small team.
• Be our technology voice. Translate technical possibilities into business value for senior colleagues and suppliers.

What you’ll bring:

You’re an engineer at heart who has grown into a leader. You don’t need to tick every box, but you’ll recognise yourself in most of these:

• 5-10 years in software and systems engineering, with experience leading or mentoring a team
• Strong API and integration expertise, covering design, security and governance
• A record of improving legacy or poorly documented systems without breaking the business
• Practical experience of digital change, automation or applying AI in a real business setting
• Solid delivery foundations: source control, CI/CD, release management and incident handling
• Clear, confident communication with technical and non-technical colleagues
• A pragmatic mindset that favours what works over what’s fashionable

Insurance or financial services experience, or knowledge of Open GI, is a bonus but not essential. Curiosity matters more.

What’s in it for you:

• £85,000–£110,000 base salary, depending on experience
• Pension
• Office Based
• The freedom to build a technology function your way, with the backing of leadership

Tech Knowledge:

You need working knowledge across these areas, and depth in APIs and integration. You also need practical knowledge of data, automation and AI tools, as set out in the digital transformation section.

Essential:

• API design and governance: REST, Open API/Swagger, versioning, authentication (OAuth2, JWT), rate limiting, API gateways
• Integration patterns: SOAP/XML and JSON, message queues, event-driven design, ETL, third-party and partner connections
• Databases: SQL, query tuning, data integrity, backup and recovery
• Delivery practices: Git, branching strategies, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, release and change management
• Monitoring and incident response: Logging, alerting, root cause analysis, post-incident reviews

Strongly preferred:

• Programming: C#/.NET, Java or equivalent
• Servers and infrastructure: Windows and Linux administration, virtualisation, networking fundamentals
• Cloud and automation: Azure or AWS, infrastructure as code (for example Terraform), containers
• Ways of working: Agile or Kanban suited to small teams, lightweight ITIL-style service management
• Legacy modernisation: Wrapping, strangling or migrating legacy platforms in stages

Pay: £85,000.00-£110,000.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site gym
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person