Lead Developer

Purpose of Role:

Last.fm is looking for a Lead Web Developer with a combination of strong PHP / SQL, software design principles, and hands-on architectural / framework expertise, as well as knowledge of XHTML, CSS and Javascript.

The Lead Web Developer will lead a team of PHP and front end web developers to deliver high quality software following an Agile development process.

The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and innovative, good at “getting things done”, and have experience using Last.fm / AS.

Deliverables and Responsibilities

• Designing and implementing core software components for new Last.fm website features
• Improving our internal PHP tools and frameworks
• Identifying bottlenecks and profiling Last.fm's existing PHP codebase
• Improving development practices at Last.fm
• Leading team of 6-8 developers
• Technical mentoring of developers
• Ensuring software delivered by the team is of requisite quality

Key Relationships:

• Web Development Team
• Design Team
• Technical Operations
• Product Management

Skills and Experience:

• An intimate familiarity with object-oriented PHP & standards-compliant SQL
• Experience with XHTML, CSS and Javascript
• 5+ years experience working on high-volume PHP websites
• 2+ years experience leading software development teams
• 2+ years experience in Agile software development, preferably Scrum
• Expert knowledge of Agile engineering practices including Test Driven Development
• Independent problem solving skills, ability to write code that scales well
• Understanding of how the web works, from low to high levels
• Familiarity with a wide range of relevant technologies and web standards
• Flexibility: we are small company, but we move quickly

Desirable:

• Experience with C / PHP internals
• Smarty templating system (smarty.php.net) and extensions
• Subversion
• Memcached
• Web services and syndication
• Linux CLI
• Experience with PostgreSQL, MySQL
• A preference for vi over emacs
• Certified Scrum Master

Education and Qualifications:

• Honours degree level education in relevant discipline

Behaviours & Personality:

• Willingness to commit to a goal
• Ability to focus on job in hand
• Openness and clarity in communication
• Strong leadership
• Ability to work well in a collaborative team environment
• Desire and drive to deliver

^ How to Apply

Flash Developer

Last.fm is looking for an in-house Flash developer to join the team. The ideal candidate will be creative, enthusiastic, and good at “getting things done”. Chief responsibilities will include maintaining Last.fm's existing roster of Flash products (streaming players for both audio and video, Flash widgets for 3rd-party sites, scrobbling lib, etc), as well as building the next generation of Last.fm Flash applications for the website and beyond.

Requirements:

• Strong object-oriented Actionscript 2.0 skills
• Ability to build robust applications from the ground up
• Proven experience in interaction design and an eye for detail
• Comfortable dealing with web services and the inherent design issues
• Experience using Last.fm / Audioscrobbler

Pluses:

• Experience with Actionscript 3.0
• Experience with source control tools (SVN/CVS)
• Flex/Laszlo
• Experience with streaming applications
• Fluent in another (non ECMAScript compliant) programming language

^ How to Apply

Front-End Developer

Last.fm is looking for a talented front-end web developer who lives and breathes tight, elegant XHTML, CSS, and Javascript.

The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and innovative, good at “getting things done,” and have experience using Last.fm / AS.

What you’ll be doing:

• Implementing the front-end markup for new Last.fm features on your own, as well as improving existing features of the website
• Working hand-in-hand with our design team and PHP developers to quickly prototype and roll out new pages and functionality
• Helping to advance Last.fm's Javascript and markup best practices
• Improving Last.fm's browser compatibility and "alternative platform" experience

Requirements:

• Proven expertise in modern XHTML and CSS web development / design
• Familiarity with browser quirks and peculiarities; able to tame multiple versions of Internet Explorer into submission
• An eye for visual consistency and aesthetic detail
• An understanding of how the web works, from low to high levels.
• Familiarity with a wide range of relevant technologies and web standards.
• Flexibility: we are small company, but we move quickly.

Pluses:

• Smarty templating system (smarty.php.net)
• Prototype or other Javascript framework experience
• Subversion basics
• Programming experience (PHP or other)
• Understanding of design principles / UI best practices
• Interest in fields of music, social networking, blogging and related technologies, recommendation systems, and data mining.

^ How to Apply

PHP Developers

Last.fm is looking for developers with a combination of strong PHP / SQL, software design principles and HTML skills.

The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic and innovative, good at “getting things done”, and have experience using Last.fm / AS.

What you’ll be doing:

• Designing and implement new features on your own, as well as building on existing features of the website.
• From conception through to implementation, you’ll be writing code used by millions of people every day.
• Working well within the Last.fm team to help improve the product and take over the world.

Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of object-oriented PHP & standards-compliant SQL.
• Sound knowledge of HTML.
• Independent problem solving skills, ability to write code that scales well.
• Understanding of how the web works, from low to high levels.
• Familiarity with a wide range of relevant technologies and web standards.
• Flexibility: we are small company, but we move quickly.

Pluses:

• Smarty templating system (smarty.php.net).
• Subversion.
• Web services and syndication.
• Linux CLI.
• Experience with PostgreSQL, MySQL.
• Experience developing scalable web applications for high-volume sites.
• Javascript, and when not to use it.
• Flash.
• Interest in fields of music, social networking, blogging and related technologies, recommendation systems, and data mining.
• A preference for vi over emacs

^ How to Apply

Linux Sysadmin (varying levels)

Last.fm is looking for a system administrator to help support our growing infrastructure. The role is mainly focused on our server infrastructure, and also includes some desktop support in the office. A keen interest in Linux and networking is essential, as is a thirst for more knowledge in related areas. You will be working within our systems engineering team to maintain and expand the hardware and tools that keep Last.fm on the air.

We have junior and more senior positions available.

Responsibilities:

• Configure new servers, including linux installs (debian/ubuntu) and network setup
• Assist in network management tool administration
• Sysadmin related development support
• Hardware installs and bringing new equipment online at our datacentres (this includes rackmount server installs)
• Hardware maintenance and troubleshooting (why is it broken, dead disks and what not)

Desired skills:

• Linux and sysadmin-fu
• Good LAN and WAN troubleshooting skills
• Windows Desktop Support; email / printing / network connectivity
• Desktop installation and setup of new office machines
• Scripting skills
• A preference for vi over emacs

^ How to Apply

DBA, PostgreSQL and MySQL

Last.fm is looking for an experienced SQL Database Administrator to act as DBA and co-Architect in the development and maintenance of our federated database environment (PostgreSQL and MySQL).

This position reports to the CTO and is part of our core engineering team.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage our existing PostgreSQL and MySQL databases
• Perform DB administration, maintenance, upgrades, and monitoring
• Plan and perform stress test and volume test on pre-production databases
• Work closely with developers to ensure availability and integrity
• Manage the expansion and scale up of our database environment as we continue to grow
• Document and update procedures and processes

Required Skills/Experience

• Minimum of 3 years as a PostgreSQL or MySQL DBA for large scale databases
• Experience in database performance tuning, clustering, replication, backup and recovery, system architecture and design
• Work experience on UNIX / Linux
• Ability to quickly identify and resolve performance problems
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Strong sense of ownership
• Computer Science degree or equivalent

^ How to Apply

Data Warehouse Developer

Last.fm is looking for a Data Warehouse Developer, equipped with experience in databases, software development, a knowledge of common data analysis methods and natural curiosity, to explore some of the largest data sets in the industry.

Job Description

• Software Developer with focus on implementing data warehouses
• You will develop and maintain the storage and data processing layers of your systems: database design, ETL, automation systems
• Analysis and long-term monitoring of e.g. product feature success, ad revenue management, …

Requirements

• Good knowledge of Java 1.5
• Good knowledge of Hibernate, Ibatis, Spring, …
• Excellent knowledge of SQL using MySQL or PostgreSQL
• Independent problem solving skills
• Experience in designing and maintaining large databases
• Experience in data warehouse design and implementation, ETL, …

Pluses

• Experience with distributed data processing systems (grid computing, MapReduce)
• Experience with open source warehousing and analytics software (Pentaho, BIRT, or others)
• Experience in creating secure web interfaces for database-driven applications using Java, PHP, Rails, …
• Sound background in statistics
• Subversion, Linux CLI
• Interest in fields of music, social networking, blogging and related technologies, recommendation systems, and data mining

^ How to Apply

QA Tester

Last.fm are looking for a smart and thorough software tester for its desktop application and web site.

What you’ll be doing

• Testing the Last.fm desktop application for bugs prior to release
• Keeping abreast of new releases of operating systems, devices and 3rd party player software
• Drawing up test plans in cooperation with the development team
• Implementing testing procedures and documenting them
• Ultimately improving the quality of the Last.fm software

Requirements

• An obsessive attention to detail
• Experienced Last.fm user
• Familiarity with different flavours of Windows and Mac OS X
• Familiarity with a wide range of desktop applications
• Excellent communication skills

Pluses

• Experience in software testing
• Familiarity with Linux
• Some coding skills

^ How to Apply

Design Director - Marketing Communications

Purpose of Role:

We are looking for a highly experienced digital design professional with a proven track record of delivering a wide range of advertising and design projects. Working with direction from the CD and VP Marketing, you will take a leading role in originating and managing timely production of work for product marketing and brand integrations in collaboration with the designers.

Deliverables and Responsibilities

• Bring original ideas to the team while maintaining defined brand standards
• Liaising with the marketing and ads team to develop communication strategies
• Execute briefs within allocated timeframes and budget
• Review of all work to ensure visual and strategic integrity
• Design process management of multiple projects from initiation to completion
• Create key-art and direct the team to define how designs will be executed
• Build up and liaise with a network of illustrators and freelancers

Key Relationships:

• Creative Director
• VP Marketing
• VP Ad Sales
• Head of Business Development
• Creative agencies and freelancers (varies by project)
• Project Manager (Advertising, Marketing)
• Design Team

Skills and Experience:

• 5+ years of senior employment in an digital creative agency (or equivalent)
• Experience managing both the output and people in teams
• Basic technical knowledge (HTML, CSS, web services, APIs)
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Understanding and sensitivity towards product/UI design
• Must be well versed in the following mediums: web, video/motion graphics and print

Desirable:

• Copywriting skills

Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in design (or equivalent)

Behaviours & Personality:

• Able to see the big picture as well as the details
• Strong business sense
• Passionate about using Last.fm to promote other brands in clever, original and innovative ways
• Believes in, and loves working with the Internet
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment
• Can succeed amidst changing requirements
• Enthusiastic, positive, with a proactive attitude
• A focused and diplomatic leader
• A clear communicator
• Likes to take responsibility and to be held to account

In addition to your CV, please submit a PDF of 3 work samples (or live URLs) clearly stating your design role in each.

^ How to Apply

Lead Copywriter

You are a technically-minded person with an understanding of Last.fm's honest, transparent tone and ready to nurture this into a strong brand identity and messaging. You're a responsible leader and work well in a fast-paced, changing environment.

What you’ll be doing:

• Writing and managing copy for the Last.fm interface informed by use-cases and SEO
• Maintaining a consistent message and vocabulary across various products within the Last.fm service working closely with the design and product teams.
• Writing for marketing and promotion while maintaining the honest transparent tone indicative of Last.fm product integrity
• Writing FAQs and working with the customer support team achieve clear communication and a tone indicative of the Last.fm brand
• Working closely with the Technical Writer and Head of PR to maintain consistent tone and message.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• 5+ years copywriting experience
• Fluent English speaker
• Basic HTML, ability to use a text-editor a plus
• Quickly develop rapport with engineers, designers and translators

^ How to Apply

Head of Financial Planning and Analysis

Last.fm is seeing a Head of Financial Planning and Analysis to lead the development of a function that will provide the analytical horsepower supporting important business decisions facing the company. Reporting directly to the CFO, this position will directly support the entire business, driving both top and bottom line success. The company is building a finance function whose role is to be both business partners as well as leaders who challenge the business to maximize controllership and return on investment. This position will have a tremendous range of responsibilities and expectations for success.

Qualifications

This position will work closely with the product and executive teams to ensure that the business is maximizing is goals of growth, involvement, and monetization. A very important part of the role’s reasonability is in providing robust analytical modelling and analysis. The second key requirement will be to maintain strict controllership over the business so that we can forecast and report accurate financials. Lastly, our expectation is that this position will be critical in continuing to emphasize a culture of data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

We are now seeking a Head of Financial Planning to help grow our business by:

• Providing financial analysis to prioritize and lead business decision-making
• Designing & maintaining metrics models
• Analyzing new business ideas and making an analytical judgment on the quality of the idea.
• Collecting and analyzing quantitative data
• Designing and maintaining reports based on collected data
• Challenging the business on performance and assumptions
• Maintaining data and financial integrity
• Formulation of strategic & corporate plans to operating profit
• Leadership of ad hoc projects
• Interrogating data using excel (pivot tables/v-lookups) and access
• Driving process improvements

Suitable candidates will have a strong work ethic, strong analytical and commercial judgment, interpersonal skills, and effective communication skills. The successful candidate will have 2-4 years of relevant experience, be comfortable with ambiguity, making assumptions with imperfect data and presenting findings to senior management. Bachelor’s degree required, MBA preferred.

Location: London, GB

^ How to Apply

Senior Advertising Executive (Germany)

Last.fm is looking for a Senior Advertising Executive to help grow and manage a unique, innovative line of online advertising products. World-class agencies and brands are beginning to leverage the rich profile information on Last.fm to find the right audience and spread the word about their products in a new way.

What you'll be doing

• Devising and executing sales strategies
• Interfacing w/ key German clients and partners (ad-agencies, media buyers, brands etc.)
• Working closely with internal design and development teams, clients and advertising agencies to develop new advertising and promotional concepts
• Helping drive the creation of tools and metrics to run the German business
• Meeting monthly and quarterly sales targets, and reporting these to the executive team.

Requirements

• Minimum 3 years postgraduate experience
• An outstanding track record of sales is essential
• Previous experience in advertising sales within another highly successful German online business would be highly desirable

This position is ideally based in Germany, with regular trips to London.

^ How to Apply

Artist & Label Support Intern

Last.fm is looking for an intern to join its Music Team. As an intern with us you'll be on the frontline of our communication with artists and labels, providing support to those using our Music Manager as well as helping with the day to day running of the department. The ideal candidate will be passionate about music and have excellent IT skills, as well as bucket loads of enthusiasm and a willingness to 'muck in'. Knowledge of the music industry and an interest in digital media and social networking would be a bonus.

The position runs for a minimum of three months and is unpaid, however travel and lunch expenses are covered.

Responsibilities

• Provide email and online support to artists and labels
• Ingest and import received music and video content
• Day-to-day departmental admin tasks
• Work with the rest of the team to enhance the experience of artists and labels on Last.fm

Requirements

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• A passion for music and something akin to good taste
• IT skills: confident with Office and ripping/encoding CDs
• Enthusiasm, a good sense of humour and ability to juggle tasks

Pluses

• Prior knowledge of the music industry
• Good understanding of Last.fm and/or the Music Manager

^ How to Apply