API Standards and Controls Lead

Vanloq Ltd; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A major financial services organization is seeking an experienced API Standards Lead to shape and evolve API standards. In this hybrid role based in Sheffield, you'll collaborate with engineering teams and senior stakeholders to improve developer experience and compliance. Candidates should possess deep technical knowledge of APIs and proven leadership skills, driving a customer-centered approach to standards that genuinely meet needs. This contract offers a compelling opportunity to influence critical technology practices.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of defining, setting and designing standards.
• Proven ability to lead and influence teams.
• Experience coordinating multiple workstreams and strategies.

Responsibilities

• Own, refine and enhance API standards in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Lead product planning and prioritization aligned to a long-term vision.
• Champion the use of data to understand adoption and pain points.

Skills

Defining standards and controls

Deep technical knowledge of APIs

Leading and influencing teams

Experience in control-led technology

Strong communication skills

Job description

Overview

Financial Services | Sheffield (Hybrid – 2 days on site)

Inside IR35

We’re looking for an experienced API Standards Lead to join a major financial services organisation as part of a newly forming Standards & Controls team within the wider CTO function.

This is a high-impact contract role where you’ll shape, own and evolve API standards used across the organisation, working closely with engineering teams, product leaders and senior stakeholders to ensure controls are effective, usable and genuinely improve developer experience.

About the Project

The Standards and Controls team is a new capability focused on improving how development teams understand, consume and comply with Technology controls.

API standards are a new and critical set of requirements for all teams exposing APIs externally. In this role, you’ll:

• Refine and own the organisation’s API standards
• Engage with a large and varied customer base to understand real-world challenges
• Work alongside engineering teams to integrate, evolve and streamline tooling into a coherent, user-centred journey

The goal: standards that are robust, pragmatic, and genuinely work for teams — not just controls for the sake of compliance.

Key Priorities (What We’re Looking For)

Required

• Strong understanding of defining, setting and designing standards and controls
• A mindset focused on doing what’s right for the bank, not just the quickest or easiest solution
• Deep technical knowledge, particularly around APIs and API development
• Proven ability to lead, influence and guide teams
• Experience coordinating multiple workstreams and defining a clear, coherent strategy

Nice to Have

• Hands-on experience developing APIs or working in API-focused teams
• Knowledge of inventory and asset management

Your Responsibilities

As a senior member of the Standards and Controls leadership team, you’ll work closely with the Head of Standards and Controls. You will:

• Act as a proactive, collaborative and inquisitive leader within the team
• Own, refine and enhance API standards in collaboration with key stakeholders
• Lead and facilitate product planning and prioritisation aligned to a long-term vision
• Align tooling and standards into a clear, consistent customer journey
• Define and communicate product roadmaps to internal customers
• Run and facilitate customer forums focused on API standards
• Ensure customer needs are central to all new work and transitions
• Champion the use of data and metrics to understand adoption, behaviour and pain points

Skills & Experience We Require

• Experience leading development teams or technical initiatives
• Product ownership, product planning and roadmap delivery experience
• Experience working in control-led or regulated technology environments
• Background working within large, global organisations and distributed teams
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate ideas, concerns and trade-offs
• Proven ability to build effective networks and collaborate across teams and disciplines
• Location: Sheffield
• Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2 days per week on site