Lead Developer
Responsibilities:
Pagabo is one of the fastest-growing Development, Construction and Services related framework providers for the Public Sector. Due to this growth and unique service offering, we are seeking a Lead Developer t to help us build on the strong foundation of capability and expertise within the company. This means we will keep on meeting the requirements of our ever-growing client base and growing portfolio of procurement solutions. This will include:
- Lead the development of scalable and maintainable PHP applications using the Laravel framework
- Drive technical excellence through code reviews, architectural input, and informal mentoring
- Champion best practices in software development, testing, and deployment
- Design and implement RESTful APIs and ensure seamless integration with third-party services
- Advocate for DevOps practices and cloud adoption, leveraging Azure for scalable deployments
- Work closely with the Engineering Manager to align technical execution with strategic goals and team priorities
- Partner with product managers, designers, and developers to deliver high-quality features
- Collaborate with the Head of Cloud Infrastructure to improve deployment and release pipelines
- Represent the development team in cross-functional meetings.
- Ensure secure, fast, and repeatable release processes across development, QA, and production environments
- Continuously improve development workflows, tools, and team productivity
- Collaborate with QA to embed automated testing and CI/CD pipelines into the development lifecycle
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues across the stack
- Proactively identify and address bottlenecks and areas for improvement
- Maintain clear and comprehensive technical documentation for codebases and processes.
- Ensure documentation is kept up to date to support onboarding, knowledge sharing, and long-term maintainability.
- Delivery of high-quality, scalable PHP applications built using the Laravel framework
- Improved deployment and release processes in collaboration with the Head of Cloud Infrastructure
- Technical alignment with strategic goals through close partnership with the Engineering Manager
- Clear, up-to-date documentation supporting maintainability, onboarding, and knowledge sharing
- Adoption and promotion of best practices across the development lifecycle
- Timely resolution of complex technical issues with minimal disruption to delivery
- Enhanced team productivity through improved workflows, tools, and informal mentoring
- Measurable improvements in codebase maintainability and deployment speed
Skills and Experience:
-
Strong proficiency in PHP, with deep experience using the Laravel framework - Solid understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, and best practices
- Knowledge of containerisation tools like Docker and infrastructure as code concepts
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams
- Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
- Proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement
- Exposure to cloud platforms (e.g. AWS, Azure, GCP). We use Azure but experience of any other cloud platform is welcome.
- Experience with Agile principles and frameworks, including Kanban
- Experience improving development workflows and team productivity
- Knowledge of testing strategies and frameworks to support quality assurance when needed
Who are we?
Pagabo is a privately-owned public sector procurement specialist. They help public sector organisations establish and manage UK compliant framework agreements, dynamic purchasing system(s) to be used by a growing number of clients, and they also provide tailored procurement consultancy services. They’re currently based in central Hull (55 Whitefriargate, HU1 2HU), having relocated in 2021 due to their rapid growth. They have a focused team led by MCIPS qualified procurement professionals and have a balanced public and private sector ethos that deliver strong results. They’ve been successfully meeting their clients’ needs for over 10 years and are financially very robust. Their growth during the last few years has been controlled and progressive, and in 2025, they’re seeing further expansion as demand for their services continues to increase.
Pagabo is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and ensure equal opportunities for all, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic
The role
We’re looking for a hands-on Lead Developer with deep expertise in PHP and the Laravel framework. You’ll be a technical leader within the team, driving development best practices, contributing to architectural decisions, and delivering high-quality software. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative environment, enjoys solving complex problems, and is passionate about building scalable, maintainable systems. While this role does not include line management, it requires strong technical ownership and the ability to influence and support others through mentorship and guidance.
What’s On Offer:
- Salary £40k depending on experience
- Performance related incentives
- Company pension scheme
- Life insurance
- Access to Employees Assistance Programme
- 1 paid volunteer day per year
- Private medical insurance (following probation) dental and optical included
- 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, 1 day off for birthday
- Paid Christmas leave
- Hybrid working
- Study package and development plan to be agreed (following probation)
- Casual dress
- Recognition awards
- Social events
- Enhanced families’ policy
- Free meals and refreshments
- Real living wage paying company
- B Corp certificate
For more information or an informal chat about the role contact:
To Apply, please send your CV and Covering Letter to:
