Totara is an innovative, fast-growing technology leader in the learning and development space, and provider of learning development and HR solutions for 1500 customers across a variety of sectors in over 150 countries. At Totara you will find an army of talented, motivated, and ambitious people. Our team of over 200 people across 3 offices in the UK, US and NZ has been growing steadily over several years and we are now looking to expand the business further. As a community that looks after each other, we value diversity, collaboration, and personal development.

As an Engineering Manager (EM) at Totara, you’ll work as part of the Engineering Management team to nurture an environment where engineers are thriving, and delivery teams are supported to deliver on Totara’s business goals.

Work as part of the Engineering Management team

The EMs, Principal Engineer and Head of Engineering form a team who meet and collaborate regularly. We build and action initiatives to continually improve Totara’s engineering practice, with the aim of removing friction for increased delivery flow. This could be uplifting recruiting, quality or maintenance practices, measuring success - and much more! As a team, we encourage collaboration, information sharing, experimentation and reflection, and we’re all exemplars of the culture we want to see.

The team is based in Wellington, and we are looking for a local colleague to join us. The role is hybrid, offering flexibility to work both from home and the office, as we value the opportunity to collaborate in person.

Engineers are thriving

As EMs, we are people leaders who believe in building rapport through regular coaching 1:1s, scaffolded by clear expectations of the behavioural and technical competencies of each role. We each line manage around 15 engineers across three software delivery teams.

Our engineers use technologies including PHP, JavaScript, PostgreSQL, and AWS to build an open-core product distributed via a global partner network. You will support them by celebrating success, leaning in with constructive feedback, and matching up those wanting to grow with the opportunities, people, and help they need.

Delivery teams are supported to deliver on Totara’s business goals

EMs join other cross-functional leaders wrapped around each delivery team. Together, we ensure teams can connect their work to business goals, practices are continuously improving, blockers are removed, and appropriate expertise is accessible. Additionally, we ensure teams are staffed appropriately by matching capabilities required with growing or hiring engineers. Last, but certainly not least, we support teams to connect well interpersonally while delivering a quality software product to our partners.

What you’ll bring:

• Proven experience coaching and mentoring engineers; growing their potential as well as addressing performance challenges
• Expertise with Agile methodologies, including supporting engineers to run team ceremonies
• Years of experience working as an individual contributor in software delivery teams - likely as an engineer, quality engineer or technical product manager
• A highly collaborative approach, willing to double down on your current expertise and lean into growth areas - whatever is needed to move the needle for the EM team as a whole
• A proactive approach to building a positive and inclusive working culture
• Experience in recruitment, onboarding, and interviewing engineers

What We Offer:

Joining our team means joining the pursuit to create effective and engaging learning workplaces for all. We’re growing and are looking for people who are excited about making an impact on the global stage and are passionate about working in the software product industry.

Working at Totara, you’ll have:

• An inspiring and productive multicultural work environment with high autonomy and flat hierarchies.
• A collegiate and creative team who are passionate about solving our customers’ most important problems.
• Attractive salary, commitment to your professional development and flexible working.
• Strong support from a highly-skilled, well-connected and experienced international team.

Benefits and Perks:

• Enhanced Parental Leave
• Private Healthcare
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Annual Wellbeing Allowance
• New Joiner home working set-up allowance
• Additional Paid Leave: Birthday off, Working days between Christmas and New Years Eve

Please note that applications for this role will close on Monday 2nd June.