Head of Engineering

1 week ago

Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Trade Me Full time
Trade Me Role Description



At Trade Me, we're about connecting Kiwi to create the life they want.
Whether it's the big things like finding a home, a job, a car or growing their
business, or the smaller things, like finding that right bedside table or parting
ways with some old stuff. At Trade Me our vision is to be the place where Kiwi
look first.

We are looking for a pragmatic, forward-thinking Head of Engineering to lead our Motors vertical in Auckland. This is a pivotal leadership role where you will empower a team of engineers, Senior Product Owners and Managers to deliver high-quality products while navigating the exciting transformation of AI-led engineering practices.

Why Trade Me?
We believe in fostering a supportive, inclusive environment where you can thrive. Our Senior Leadership Team is proud to have 50% women in its ranks, and we are committed to maintaining a diverse workplace where everyone belongs. You'll find a culture that is high-performing but human-centric, where we tackle complex technical challenges with pragmatism and heart.

What we offer:
Flexible Work Options: Flexibility means different things to different people and we support you to find what works, including a home office set up and utilities allowance. We value team connection and come together in person on Monday and at least two other days a week.
Wellness & Culture: Access to wellness resources, company-paid shared lunches, and a vibrant social culture.
Leave: We support you with leave when you need it, including 5 days of wellness leave each year and 10 days of sick leave from day 1.
Invest in Your Growth: Dedicated time for learning and development to keep you "ahead of the curve" with new technologies

Here is what you can expect from this role:

  • Lead the Transformation: Drive the engineering organization toward leveraging AI capabilities and agentic software engineering tooling to increase efficiency.
  • Strategic Partnership: Act as the key technical counterpart to the Head of Product, navigating trade-offs between technology and market strategies.
  • Stay Close to Execution: Work closely with Engineering Managers, Senior Product Owners/Managers and squads; you'll be a leader who understands the craft and isn't afraid to get close to the execution.
  • Drive a "Bias to Action": Translate complex, strategic challenges into immediate, actionable steps for your team.
  • Manage Complexity: Comfortably lead through the uncertainty of complex projects and deadlines without losing your pragmatic edge.

What you will bring to our team:

  • Proven Leadership: Deep experience (12+ years) running engineering organizations and leading teams through technical or structural change.
  • Technical Chops: You are an engineer by trade with a strong understanding of architecture and engineering practices. While you won't be "cutting code" daily, you understand how things work.
  • AI Curiosity: You're an early adopter of AI who enjoys staying 'hands-on'—constantly experimenting with new tools and finding ways to apply them to real-world challenges.
  • Agile & Product Mindset: A strong focus on delivery and a commercial acumen that ensures we build the right things for our users.
  • Adaptability: An agile leadership mindset that moves beyond traditional playbooks to embrace the rapid, exciting changes brought about by AI and modern engineering.
We know some candidates can be reluctant to apply for roles if they feel they don't 'tick all the boxes'. If you're excited about this opportunity, we'd still really like to hear from you so please send us your resume and a short cover note outlining the "Why".

Trade Me is an INZ accredited employer. We truly value diversity and embrace a flexible workplace where people are encouraged to achieve their potential.

Check out the job description for this role here 

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