Senior Engineering Manager (f/m/d)

As a Senior Engineering Manager at Contentful, you will be responsible for hiring, leading, and managing multiple teams of software engineers dedicated to new product development. This includes establishing the team’s practices and culture, collaborating closely with Product Management and Design, and championing customer-driven product development. You'll also mentor and guide team members while focusing on continuous improvement in code and processes.

To be successful as a Senior Engineering Manager at Contentful, you should have at least 5 years of experience in leading and managing engineering teams. A strong software engineering background is essential, along with project management skills, experience with early-stage product development, and excellent communication abilities. Familiarity with modern web application technologies and a passion for learning and mentorship also play a key role in this position.

At Contentful, we emphasize professional growth by providing an annual education budget for courses, conferences, and resources to enhance your skills. As a Senior Engineering Manager, you will also have the opportunity to mentor your team members, guiding them in their professional development while learning collaboratively through team events and workshops.

Expect a vibrant and inclusive team culture at Contentful where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Senior Engineering Manager, you will cultivate an atmosphere of respect, empathy, and inclusivity within your teams. We encourage open dialogue and continuous improvement, ensuring every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute creatively.

Contentful provides a range of benefits for Senior Engineering Managers, including stock options, flexible working conditions, generous paid time off for various life events, and stipends for wellbeing and communication needs. We also support fertility and family-building benefits, acknowledging the importance of a balanced work-life dynamic.

It's crucial to articulate that your leadership style is adaptable and collaborative, focusing on empowering team members. You might mention being open to feedback and prioritizing communication, ensuring everyone feels heard and respected.

Provide a clear example that showcases your problem-solving skills and how you approached project ambiguity. Highlight how you utilized innovative thinking and encouraged collaboration among the team to find effective solutions.

Mention your approach to prioritization, which may involve assessing project impact and urgency, consulting with stakeholders, and utilizing frameworks like Agile to ensure your team remains focused and efficient.

Share your philosophy on mentorship, which could include regular one-on-ones, personalized development plans, and creating opportunities for team members to take ownership of projects, thus enabling their growth.

Discuss specific strategies you’ve implemented, such as team rituals, open feedback sessions, or collaborative tools that have enhanced communication and teamwork. Providing quantifiable results can strengthen your response.

Identify factors such as customer feedback, iterative processes, effective communication across teams, and a solid understanding of market trends. Link your answer to your previous experiences and successes.

Outline a calm and constructive approach to conflict resolution, emphasizing open dialogue, understanding different perspectives, and working together towards solutions that create a collaborative environment.

Discuss experiences relevant to AI, including leading projects that utilized AI functionalities, working online with AI methodologies, or understanding AI ethics. This shows you are familiar with emerging technologies and trends.

Talk about your commitment to coding standards, code reviews, unit testing, and fostering a culture of technical excellence, underlining your proactive measures to maintain high-quality deliverables.

Express your passion for technology and leadership, focusing on the joy of seeing your team thrive, successfully delivering products, and contributing to the overall growth of the organization.