Python Team Lead - Ethical Scaling Marketplace

Wolf & Badger is on a mission to make retail fair. Working to support our community of 2000+ independent designers from around the globe, we connect customers with ethically sourced fashion, design, home and beauty through our online marketplace and flagship stores in London, NYC and LA. We are a Certified B Corporation, with social and environmental purpose at the core of everything we do, read more about us here .

As the Python Team Lead, you will take ownership of the back end python development team, driving the architecture, design, and implementation of our web applications. You will work closely with product, design, and front-end teams to deliver high-quality, innovative, and customer-centric solutions. You'll lead by example, mentoring engineers, setting technical direction, and ensuring our platform is scalable, user-friendly, and performs.

Our team works collaboratively and values in-person connection. This is particularly important for people management, a significant aspect of this role. This is therefore a flexible hybrid role with a minimum expectation of 3 days per week of onsite attendance at our beautiful office in Soho, Central London. Candidates must be based within a commutable distance of the office and be happy to commit to this requirement.

Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Innovation:

• Spearhead the python development team in building intuitive, responsive, and high-performance software that aligns with Wolf & Badger's vision.
• Drive the architectural design and technological direction for the back end, ensuring code is well tested, maintainable, modular, and scalable.
• Stay current with emerging python and django technologies and best practices, incorporating these trends to improve platform performance and customer experience.

Team Management & Mentorship:

• Support the direction of, mentor, and grow a high-performing python team, fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Provide regular feedback to team members, encouraging professional growth and skill development.
• Develop training programs, pairing and coaching to improve team expertise in the latest python frameworks and technologies.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Work:

• Partner with product managers, designers, back-end engineers, and other cross-functional teams to define and execute on project goals.
• Ensure seamless communication across teams to ensure the back end vision aligns with product strategy and technical feasibility.
• Champion accessibility, usability, and performance as core principles in every design and implementation.

Project Delivery & Quality Assurance:

• Manage timelines, set priorities, and allocate resources effectively to ensure timely delivery of high-quality features.
• Oversee python strategies and ensure that automated tests, UI/UX tests, and code reviews maintain the integrity of the codebase.
• Advocate for coding best practices and high standards of quality in all deliverables.

Performance & Optimisation:

• Continuously analyse and optimise python code for performance, scalability, and efficiency, focusing on reducing load times, optimising assets, and improving overall user experience.
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks and performance issues in python architecture, collaborating with front-end and infrastructure teams.

Strategic Vision & Direction:

• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to define the long-term vision and strategy for the python team, ensuring alignment with company goals and customer needs.
• Drive change and improvements, promoting the adoption of modern frameworks, practices, and tools to elevate the development process.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives regarding platform evolution, scalability, and future growth.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Proven experience in a senior engineering leadership role, preferably in a fast-paced startup or scale-up environment.
2. Strong technical expertise in software development, with proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript, Java, etc.).
3. Solid understanding of modern software development methodologies, tools, and practices, including Agile/Scrum, CI/CD, and DevOps.
4. Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire engineering teams, driving innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
6. Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with a proven track record of delivering complex technical projects on time.
7. A passion for technology and a commitment to staying current with emerging trends and advancements in the field.
8. Experience with e-commerce platforms, payment gateways, and related technologies (desirable).
9. Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and headless architecture (desirable).
10. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (desirable).

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £80k-£90k p/a dependent on skills and experience
• Inclusion in our share options scheme, to benefit from our rapid growth.
• 25 day holiday allowance in addition to bank holidays
• Flexible hybrid working policy with access to a creative work environment in Soho, Central London. Current onsite requirement of 3+ days per week for this role.
• Paid volunteering leave, pet-ernity leave and heartbreak leave
• Quarterly Wellness Wallet - to spend on products or services meaningful to you
• Subscription to Yulife health and wellbeing app
• Opt in health insurance plan via salary sacrifice
• Ample paid sick leave to support mental and physical health
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff discount across Wolf & Badger, in-store and online
• Excellent career opportunities in a rapidly growing international business
• Meaningful work. You'll be part of a trailblazing B-Corp which is changing the e-commerce landscape - for people and the planet!
• Wolf & Badger is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and candidates. We encourage applications from people from all walks of life.