Lead Developer

Location: Boston Spa
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours)
Grade: SB4
Salary: £50,518 per annum

About the role
This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with a passion for software development and team leadership with a customer centric approach. You will play a key role in delivering the British Library's services.

As a Lead Developer, you will work as an integral part of the Application Development team on our exciting new and existing platforms, both designing and implementing new systems and developing enhancements to both our back-end systems and customer facing web based systems.

You will be responsible for:
- Leadership of a development team that undertakes software engineering to maintain and develop new key products and services in use across the British Library.
- Development of software products that meet the Library’s standards using the recommended tools and processes.
- Line Management of the team including Performance Management and Personal Development. Recruitment and induction of new team members.
- Takes a lead role in all key stages of the solution delivery life cycle in relation to software development activities, including analysis, design, development, testing and implementation.
- Support other Software Engineers by allocating, mentoring and reviewing their work, ensuring the team maintains in-depth expertise in software engineering and the application systems portfolio. Foster a cohesive and inclusive team culture that supports collaboration, knowledge sharing, cross-skilling, and the development of both technical and stakeholder engagement capabilities.


About You
We are looking for someone who combines a strong aptitude in software development with excellent team leadership skills.

You will be able to demonstrate:
- Substantial and up-to date knowledge and experience of software development and implementation in a structured, object orientated environment.
- Knowledge of software development using C# or Java with supporting frameworks and technologies.
- Knowledge of Azure DevOps and GitHub, or associated technologies.
- Experience in leading and mentoring developers.
- Experience in line management of staff (e.g. performance management) and allocating resources across multiple concurrent projects.
- Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders and influence decision-making at all levels.


About us
We are the national library of the UK and we are here for everyone. Our shelves hold over 170 million items – a living collection that gets bigger every day. Although our roots extend back centuries, we aim to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and far into the future. Our trusted experts care for this collection and open it up for everyone to spark new discoveries, ideas and to help people do incredible things.

What we can offer you
- 25 days’ holiday plus 2.5 privilege days.
- Access to a defined benefit Civil Service pension scheme.
- Flexible working arrangements, including flexi-time.
- Full details of employee benefits can be found on our Careers: Benefits
- This role qualifies for a digital allowance.

Things you need to know
- We are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role.
- Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check (DBS check).
- 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.
- We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse candidates and disabled candidates. Creating an inclusive workplace is the core of our business and a way to engage the diversity of thought that is essential to achieve our aims.

Closing at 23:59 on Sunday 11 October 2026

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

Museum Website: https://ce0752li.webitrent.com/ce0752li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=5071482BMD