Tech Practice Principal - Backend Lead in Reading

Location: Hybrid: Client Site, AND Digital office, Remote. Proximity to Reading / Thames Valley is key.

Core Tech: Node.js, API Integration, Microservices, Microsoft Azure Cloud.

AND Introduction: At AND, we accelerate the development of digital capabilities. In practice, that means helping ambitious leaders and organisations build the teams, products, processes and even operational structures they need to close the digital skills gap within their organisation today, so that they thrive tomorrow. Clients rely on our experience, agility and craft skills across tech and business strategy, software development, AI and product management to address some of the toughest challenges facing their businesses. We bring aboard thinkers, tinkerers, passionate software craftspeople and inspiring technologists to help us solve these challenges. Together, we’re united by a sense of pragmatism, purpose and a deeply-held belief that digital products and technology alone won’t transform a business or save the world: it’s the people that count.

The Opportunity: We are looking for a Backend Lead to take the technical helm of a high-profile digital project. As a Lead, you won't just be overseeing delivery; you’ll be the technical heartbeat of the backend services that power complex website and mobile app environments using Node. This role is perfect for a hands-on technical expert who enjoys scaling complex microservices in the cloud while taking accountability for managing a distributed backend engineering team to deliver exceptional outcomes for the client.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Excellence & Execution:
• Hands-on Engineering: Lead by example by remaining hands-on, committing high-quality code primarily in Node to power cloud-deployed digital websites (React/Node) and mobile applications (React Native/Node).
• Architectural Stewardship: Work closely with Technical Architects to ensure the long-term health of our backend ecosystem, orchestrating integrations with platforms like Commerce Tools, Bloomreach, and Amplience alongside a separate Salesforce backend team. You will also oversee support for these backend systems.
• Engineering Culture: Set the "gold standard" for backend engineering routines. Drive a culture of technical pride, ensuring robust API design, secure cloud deployment practices, and insightful code reviews.
• Team Leadership & Delivery Management:
• Delivery Accountability: Operates in "Project Mode," taking full accountability for managing your team to deliver on-time backend outcomes, while ensuring adherence to budgets and high quality.
• Distributed Team Management: Act as the bridge between onshore stakeholders and a distributed team of Onshore and Nearshore Backend Devs: You will actively manage this team's day-to-day delivery to maintain velocity and ensure consistent backend standards across geographical boundaries.
• Technical Mentorship: Support the growth of developers on your project, fostering a high-achieving, collaborative environment through technical coaching and peer reviews.
• Stakeholder Management:
• Collaborative Influence: Navigate a multi-faceted stakeholder landscape. You will be equally comfortable discussing API design with frontend and mobile engineers as you are discussing business value and roadmap priorities with Senior Executives (C-suite/CxO level) to help them achieve their business ambitions.

What You’ll Bring:

• Backend Mastery: Extensive professional experience with Node and modern backend microservices.
• Cloud Expertise: Solid experience building and deploying scalable backend services in cloud environments, with practical, hands-on experience in Microsoft Azure being highly advantageous.
• Team Management & Delivery: Proven experience managing and leading distributed Onshore and Nearshore backend development teams. You know how to maintain velocity and quality to successfully deliver project outcomes when the team isn't in the same room.
• Consultative Mindset: The ability to build trust quickly, evaluate options, and translate complex business requirements into actionable backend technical designs.

Equal Opportunities Statement: At AND Digital we embrace diversity and are committed to equal opportunities. We are actively recruiting for a diverse and inclusive workforce so want to ensure we do everything we can to support your application. We want you to feel safe and empowered to let us know if you require any adjustments to be made to your application or interview process so please speak to our recruitment team.