Laura Knill

Experience

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  StayinFront

  Jan 2007 - Nov 2008

  Software Developer

  Developed a driver in C# .Net using Visual Studios 2005 to communicate between StayinFront CTI Toolbar and Nortel Communication Control Toolkit.Developed a data migration application in VB6 to validate and transform data and import into the StayinFront CRM system.Configured virtual machines as development environments to match client production environments. Configuration included setting up Oracle 8i, Oracle 9i and SQL Server 2000 databases.Developed SQL and T-SQL scripts to create views for StayinFront Analytics reports and update data as required for client system changes.Developed a DTS package in SQL Server 2000 to export data from a database view to a .CSV file in a location specified in a .txt file.Developed VBScript applications that interact with StayinFront CRM API to update client system data. Show less

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  Aspex Consulting Limited

  Mar 2009 - Dec 2013

  Software Developer

  My primary responsibility at Aspex Consulting was to build, support and enhance StoreConnect, an integration system that extracts data from retail store nodes, syncs it via HTTPS to a consolidated server and then serves as a data hub. StoreConnect also has a web interface component that delivers the data in a user-consumable form such as in reports and charts.• Created the StoreConnect Email Campaign module which integrated with the Campaign Monitor engine through their .NET API. Built custom, javascript intensive pages to allow email creation, design and scheduling.Used: Visual Studio 2012, SQL Server 2012, Umbraco, SQL, C#.NET, HTML, Javascript, jQuery, jQuery UI, AJAX, CSS• Created the StoreConnect Document Portal module which implemented an Apache Solr search engine to support fast searching across a large number of records.Used: Visual Studio 2012, SQL Server 2012, Umbraco, SQL, C#.NET, HTML, Javascript, jQuery, AJAX, CSS, Apache Solr• Created the StoreConnect Net Promoter Score (NPS) module to collect customer engagement data.Used: ASP.NET, HTML, C#.NET, SQL• Integrated the StoreConnect consolidated database with FlyBuys NZ.Used: SSIS, CuteFTP, VBScript, SQL• Designed and implemented the relational database schemas for the StoreConnect V2 node, staging and consolidated databases.Used: SQL Server 2008, Sybase Central Show less

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  Findly

  Dec 2013 - Sept 2016

  Senior Software Developer

  Technologies: Javascript, Backbone, Marionette, Angular, React, MongoDB, Amazon Web Services, Puppet, TeamCity, Git, Bitbucket, TargetProcess, Jira, C# .NETDuring my time at Findly, I focused primarily on JavaScript development, both on the back end using Node.js and on the front end, using jQuery, Backbone Marionette, Angular and React.I was the Lead Developer on a web proxy solution using Node.js that converts an outdated website into a modern, mobile friendly and responsive website in real time by intercepting HTTP requests and responses and injecting javascript and CSS.I implemented features in Findly’s product suite in javascript using both the Backbone Marionette framework and Angular.I facilitated Scrum meetings - Daily Scrum, Sprint Refinement, Sprint Planning, Sprint Review and Retrospectives - and I took the Scrum.org Professional Scrum Master course and achieved the PSM 1 certification. Show less

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  Mighway

  Sept 2016 - Sept 2018

  My role as Head of Engineering at Mighway required me to have a focus at both the software development level and at the business level.At the development level I was responsible for:• Timely delivery of key projects including US launch• Running agile ceremonies• Developing and coaching engineers• Interviewing, hiring and onboarding• Annual performance reviews• Design and architecture of the Mighway platform• Developing solutions at the code levelAt the business level my responsibilities included:• Building project roadmaps• Monitoring and analyzing KPIs to optimise conversion• Defining strategies for meeting business targets• Meeting with partners to discuss integrated solutions and improve process efficiencies• Managing P&LsKey Achievements• Delivered our US Launch project on time and meeting financial targets.• Implemented a system to track unplanned work and assess its impact on productivity and sprint performance.• Implemented a process for bug identification and prioritisation. This helped ensure that bugs were proactively and correctly logged and triaged.• Increased team moral and promoted greater transparency of new features by introducing a sprint showcase• Spearheaded an initiative to add automation testing to the Mighway platform in order to reduce time spent on regression testing, reduce deployment risks and to move toward the goal of continuous delivery.• Supported a culture of trust and transparency through encouraging pair programming, code reviews, 'no blame' post mortems and judgement free communication in meetings.• Developed a motivated and self-directed team with the capability and drive to delivery projects autonomously. Show less Technologies: Javascript, React, Redux, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Meteor, Node, Express, Travis, Git, Github, JiraAs a relatively new platform, most of my time as a Software Developer at Mighway has been spent building features to mature both the core website and the backend management system, and to improve the stability of both systems.Responsibilities• Develop features and resolve bugs using the MERN tech stack (Mongo, Express, React, NodeJS, Redux and Webpack)• Investigate and propose design and architectural approaches• Facilitate Scrum process• Ticket management in JIRA• Investigate and resolve build errors in TravisAchievements/Projects• Implemented deposit and refund functionality into our backend management tool.Used: MongoDB, Node, Express, React, Redux, JSX, CSS• Implemented a reskin of the backend management tool Used: MongoDB, Node, Express, React, Redux, JSX, CSS• Implemented various queries and mutations in our API serviceUsed: MongoDB, Node, Express, React, Redux, GraphQL• Implemented a configurable and dynamic service fee based on date, country and booking typeUsed: MongoDB, Node, Express, Meteor, React, Redux• Developed a living style guide to help centralise and unify Mighway styles Used: Node, Express, CSS, DocumentJS Show less

  • Head Of Engineering

    May 2017 - Sept 2018

  • Senior Software Developer

    Sept 2016 - May 2017
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  Northmill

  Oct 2018 - Feb 2019

  Engineering Manager

  During my time at Northmill, I led the software development of a new React App that provided internal metrics and tooling.

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  Spotify

  Feb 2019 - Jan 2024

  I was the Technical Lead for the Client Playback product area, which was responsible for enabling audio and video playback for all Spotify clients, from mobile, to web, to speakers, TVs, consoles and more. The role responsibilities were- Leading the ~60 person organisation.- Supporting the managers reporting to me with their personal growth and in developing high performing teams, - Building a strong organisational culture- Developing and executing on the technical and product strategies Show less

  • Senior Engineering Manager

    Mar 2022 - Jan 2024

  • Engineering Manager

    Feb 2019 - Mar 2022
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  Pleo

  Oct 2024 - now

  Senior Engineering Manager