Tech Lead - 12 months FTC

As a Tech Lead at Zoopla, you will manage and mentor software engineers, focusing on their growth and engagement. Your key responsibilities will include making technical contributions through coding and system design, promoting innovation within your team, and collaborating with various stakeholders to implement effective technical strategies. Your leadership will play a key role in guiding projects that enhance user experience and system performance.

To qualify as a Tech Lead at Zoopla, candidates typically need substantial experience in software engineering, with a strong focus on both backend and frontend technologies. While familiarity with specific stacks like React, TypeScript, Node.js, or GraphQL is beneficial, we're more interested in your ability to learn and adapt. Relevant leadership or mentoring experience in a tech environment will give you a competitive edge.

At Zoopla, we invest in the growth of our Tech Leads through continuous professional development opportunities. This includes mentorship from senior management, access to training resources, and encouragement to explore new technologies and methodologies. We aim to cultivate a learning environment where you can expand your technical skills while also developing your leadership abilities.

In the role of Tech Lead at Zoopla, you can expect to work with a diverse tech stack. On the frontend, you'll primarily use React and Next.js, with TypeScript playing a key role in both your backend and frontend development. Familiarity with other technologies like Node.js, GraphQL, Golang, and Python is also advantageous, though we value your willingness to learn above all.

The interview process for a Tech Lead at Zoopla includes an initial chat with the talent team, followed by a technical discussion with engineering managers or principal engineers. You'll also take part in a technical interview where you'll present a previous project, concluding with a conversation with our leadership. This structured approach allows us to assess both your technical skills and cultural fit within our innovative team.

In answering this question, detail your previous experiences in managing teams, focusing on specific approaches you used to foster collaboration and innovation. Discuss how you engaged with team members, handled conflicts, and promoted a culture of success—focusing on outcomes that highlight your leadership abilities.

When discussing your approach to code reviews, emphasize your focus on constructive feedback, adherence to best practices, and mentorship. Share specific methods you use to ensure quality and efficiency, including any tools or processes you’ve found effective, which demonstrates not just technical expertise but a team-oriented mindset.

Show how you prioritize learning in your role as a Tech Lead. Talk about attending conferences, participating in workshops, or contributing to relevant online communities. Mention platforms or resources you utilize to stay updated, emphasizing your commitment to continuous improvement in technology and management skills.

In this answer, provide a specific scenario where you encountered a technical or team-related challenge, outlining the steps you took to address it. Highlight your analytical approach, how you worked with your team, and the final outcome, to demonstrate your problem-solving capabilities.

Illustrate your strategies for fostering collaboration, such as implementing regular team check-ins, utilizing collaborative tools, or encouraging open communication. Use examples from your past roles where your actions led to successful teamwork and innovation.

Share your practical experience with agile frameworks, including any specific roles you've taken on within agile teams. Discuss how you've implemented agile practices in previous projects and how they've contributed to the team's success and responsiveness to change.

Discuss your conflict-resolution strategies, emphasizing empathy and open dialogue. Provide an example of a conflict you successfully navigated, explaining how your approach led to a positive resolution and strengthened team dynamics.

Explain the key performance indicators (KPIs) you track to gauge team effectiveness, such as code quality, sprint velocity, or customer satisfaction. Discuss how you use these metrics to guide team discussions and improve overall performance.

Describe your prioritization process, which could include using frameworks such as the Eisenhower Matrix or agile methodologies. Share an example of how you've successfully managed and prioritized multiple tasks while ensuring project timelines and quality standards were met.

Express your enthusiasm for Zoopla's mission and culture. Discuss how the role aligns with your career aspirations, your passion for the property tech industry, and your desire to contribute to a team focused on innovation and inclusivity, embodying the same values that attracted you to the company.