Lead Developer

Bristol, Darlington, London, Manchester, Wolverhampton Job Summary Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people's lives. Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we're all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you're thinking of joining us, there's never been a more exciting time. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Digital Planning Programme, our mission is to modernise the planning system through digital transformation; making it more transparent, accessible, and efficient for everyone. As a Lead Developer, you will lead the technical delivery of planning data services This includes public and private APIs as well as Front end focussed web applications which must meet government standards for digital applications. You’ll guide engineering teams to build robust, scalable, and secure services that support planning reform. You’ll work closely with architects, product managers, and data specialists to ensure technical excellence and delivering at pace. This role has a strong emphasis on building both front end applications and backend APIs. You’ll help plan technical work, mentor developers, and ensure our services meet user needs and policy goals. Job Description As a Lead Developer You'll; • Lead the design, development, and maintenance of robust, scalable APIs and open data services to support digital planning tools and systems. (Fast API, Flask, Express.js) • Provide strategic technical leadership by setting software architecture, engineering practices, and technical direction across the Planning Data Team. • Own the technical delivery of key products, ensuring code quality, performance, and maintainability. • Collaborate with Technical Architects to align implementation with target architecture and standards. • Guide teams on API design, versioning, testing, and developer experience. • Line manage developers and support their growth through coaching, feedback, and career development. • Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement. • Lead technical reviews, pair programming, and knowledge sharing across teams. • Work with Delivery Managers and Product Leads to plan sprints, manage risks, and unblock teams. • Embed security and privacy by design; ensure compliance with NCSC guidance, GDPR, and data licensing. As a Lead Developer You'll; • Lead the design, development, and maintenance of robust, scalable APIs and open data services to support digital planning tools and systems. (Fast API, Flask, Express.js) • Provide strategic technical leadership by setting software architecture, engineering practices, and technical direction across the Planning Data Team. • Own the technical delivery of key products, ensuring code quality, performance, and maintainability. • Collaborate with Technical Architects to align implementation with target architecture and standards. • Guide teams on API design, versioning, testing, and developer experience. • Line manage developers and support their growth through coaching, feedback, and career development. • Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement. • Lead technical reviews, pair programming, and knowledge sharing across teams. • Work with Delivery Managers and Product Leads to plan sprints, manage risks, and unblock teams. • Embed security and privacy by design; ensure compliance with NCSC guidance, GDPR, and data licensing. Person specification As a Lead Developer You'll have; • Proven experience leading software engineering teams in agile environments. • Strong proficiency in backend development (e.g., Python, Node.js). • Strong proficiency in frontend development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS). • Hands-on experience with cloud-native development and containerised applications • Deep understanding of CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and monitoring/alerting. • Strong communication skills and ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders. • Experience mentoring developers and fostering inclusive engineering culture. Alongside your salary of £72,764, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £21,079 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. • At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here. Selection process details Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Application and Selection The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles: Behaviours , Experience , Technical Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information. Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link. Stage 1: Sift (CV) Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors. In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead sift question listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview. Lead sift question (Experience): Digital Planning services rely on multiple suppliers, data sources, and delivery teams. Describe a time when you led the development of a complex digital service. How did you set technical direction, ensure engineering quality, and support delivery across multiple teams, and at the same time ensure designs and technical decisions remained aligned to user needs? Stage 2: Interview • Behaviours: Leadership, Managing A Quality Service, Changing and Improving • Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description. • Technical: Technical questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description. Sift and Interview Dates Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 15th December 2025 Interviews are envisaged to take place the week commencing 5th January 2025 and are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change. Group 1 Digital and Data roles MHCLG has implemented the Digital and Data capability framework for Group 1 roles. Applicants that are successful and have been offered a position will be required to complete a capability assessment after the interview. MHCLG will honour completed capability assessments for this role from other Government Departments for existing civil servants on level transfer only. Please provide a copy of your capability assessment to the Hiring Manager when applying. If you have any queries on pay, please contact the Hiring Manager. Each experience or technical skill is assessed between 1-3, representing working towards, at or above the job level requirements. You are awarded a proficiency level accordingly, and you will be given opportunity to annually re assess your capability and potentially increase your overall remuneration, through payment of allowances, depending on level of assessed capability. Candidates moving from another government department have the option to retain their current basic pay if this is within our pay band for the relevant grade. GRADE Group 1 Digital and Data Salary • The basic pay for this role will be between £79,575 - £97,062 (London), £72,764 - £90,242 (National).   Candidates will usually be recruited to the median of the payscale. • A digital allowance may also be payable depending on the level of assessed capability, in order to meet the MHCLG overall targeted remuneration rate for the specific grade, location and capability rating. • For applicants in receipt of existing allowances, we will assess each case individually, but we would seek not to exceed the MHCLG overall targeted remuneration rate for the specific grade, location and capability rating for existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply, subject to the statements above. How We Recruit Find out everything you need to know before applying here.. • Applying • Sifting • Interview • Interview Results & Feedback • Reserve List • Near Miss • Civil Service Grades • We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer • Reasonable Adjustments How To Apply What you need to know before applying. You must review the following information from the MHCLG Career's Site before submitting your application. This step is essential to ensure your eligibility for the role and that your application is completed correctly. • Security Clearance Requirements • Civil Service Nationality Requirements • Right to Work • Artificial Intelligence • Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles • CV Declaration • Sponsorships • Salary and Grade • Existing Civil Servants • Conflict of Interest • Location and Flexible Working • Fixed Term Contracts • Internal Fraud Database - Internal Fraud Register • Appeals and Complaints • Conflict of Interest Security Clearance Requirements National Office: SC London Office: SC Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups • UK nationals • nationals of the Republic of Ireland • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact • Name : Digital Data Jobs • Email : digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk Recruitment team • Email : digitaldatajobs@communities.gov.uk