UnZipped: Our ANZ Associate Engineering Manager pathway

To deliver our company strategy, we are committed to investing in and building the future capabilities of our Zipsters. One of the ways we’re doing this in the ANZ Technology function, beyond investment in learning platforms like Udemy and LinkedIn Learning, is through the creation of leadership development pathways.

Designed to build and sustain a pipeline of future Technology leaders, one such program is our Associate Engineering Manager (AEM) pathway, aimed at our current cohort of senior Software Engineers.

Insights gathered from the team suggested that while we have many very capable Engineers on the team, a number of those in individual contributor roles had yet to experience hands-on people management, often making the typical career pathway into Engineering Management roles a daunting one.

Giving Software Engineers a flavour of people management

The program, which typically lasts between 6 to 12 months, is intended to give Engineers a flavour of people management, helping them make an informed decision about whether the additional responsibility of managing a team is for them, or whether they’d prefer to remain an individual contributor (IC).

When a Zipster enjoys the AEM opportunity and excels as a capable people manager, Zip’s Technology leadership group will take the necessary steps to move them into a suitable Engineering Manager role once one is available. This is how the experience played out for Archana Kanakamedala, Engineering Manager in our Repayments squad.

“I had the opportunity to step into the Associate Engineering Manager role which is a pathway Zip has designed for Engineers, to test whether leading a team of people is aligned to their career aspirations and personal development plan.” Archana said.

“The program has been a great fit, as it’s allowed me to test and grow my skills as a leader. My main takeaway is the learning that ‘one size doesn’t fit all’. As a leader you need to tailor your management style to fit with your team members’ needs.”

Blending on the job learning and leadership responsibility for a small team

The pathway typically consists of on the job learning attached to the delivery of a specific program of work or key initiatives, with people management responsibility for 2-3 Engineers. While the program is still in its infancy, with new iterations in scope to ensure maximum benefit for Zipsters who are a part of it in the future, other participants have been quick to call out how it has helped shape their careers. Engineering Manager Nilu Cassim is one of them.

“I’ve been at Zip for almost three and a half years now, joining as a Senior Mobile Engineer for Android. Having been promoted to Senior Software Engineer II, I then got the opportunity to explore our AEM pathway leading a team of three Engineers.” she said.

“As a new AEM, the first project I was responsible for was the launch of our new product in ANZ, Zip Plus. I’m really grateful that leaders kept faith in me and the team to deliver such a complex project. The mentoring I’ve received as part of this pathway has really helped me develop as a Zipster and more recently as an Engineering Manager.”

Andre Susanto - who was recently promoted to Engineering Manager after a stint in the AEM role - agrees.

“Previously, I felt fulfilled in my career working as an individual contributor or specialist. I thought it was the only pathway for me. However, my experience as an AEM gave me the opportunity to solve other types of challenges that were equally, if not more, satisfying than what I was used to before.” he said.

“From directly leading teams and managing conflicts and performance, to planning and finding new ways to motivate the team, these were very different challenges, ones that have pushed me out of my comfort zone and kept me learning. I was able to call on our Engineering Directors for support, and I’ve accelerated my leadership skills by learning from them.”

Write the next chapter of your Engineering story with a career at Zip

George Gorman, Chief Information Officer for Zip in ANZ believes it's an exciting time to be joining the team, with other career pathways and opportunities looming, including Zip’s first early careers program expected to launch in FY25.

“I've championed the AEM program as our key funnel for growing and nurturing exceptional talent into the management career path. It’s truly positioned for those who are uncertain about the responsibilities of leadership to try, with an opportunity to return to their role as an IC if they don't take to it, or grow as a leader if they do.” he said.

Time to write your next chapter? We currently have a number of Engineering vacancies in the ANZ Technology team - check out the Zip careers site to learn more.