Technology Director

APPLY is the Agentic Customer Experience (ACx) partner for the world's most ambitious consumer and entertainment brands. We bring together deep domain expertise across Retail, CPG, Sports, and Media with AI-native delivery capability, designing and delivering agentic solutions that turn CX vision into commercial reality. We are the partner of choice for brands like Arc'teryx, NFL, Lululemon, and Kraft Heinz. For more information, visit applydigital.com.

LOCATION: APPLY is hybrid friendly with remote options available if needed. The preferred candidate should be based in (or within a location commutable to) the Greater London Area of the United Kingdom, working in hours that align to the UK timezone.

THE ROLE: As a Technology Director, you'll provide strategic technical leadership across dedicated client accounts, guiding delivery, defining architecture, and mentoring the team, while taking genuine ownership of the client relationships that make the work matter. This means accountability not just to delivery contacts, but to senior stakeholders across the organisation and being able to navigate the commercial and structural complexity that comes with operating at that level. The role sits at the intersection of technical excellence and business growth: you'll help transform client organisations through innovative technology solutions, while deepening Apply’s presence and impact within each account.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Technical Leadership
  • Define and oversee high-level technical architecture and technology stack for accounts or portfolios.
  • Define and communicate the AI adoption strategy for delivery squads, including how agentic workflows, AI-assisted development and LLM-based tools integrate into engineering practice.
  • Guide and review documentation that communicates architecture and topology of technical solutions.
  • Act as the primary escalation point for technical issues both internally and externally.
• Team Management
  • Oversee the work of software engineers and technical team members to maintain high quality standards.
  • Mentor technology team members to improve their contributions and professional growth.
  • Define and manage the composition of delivery squads, ensuring deadlines are met and dependencies addressed.
• Client Engagement
  • Serve as the primary client-facing representative of the Technology and Account Leadership Team.
  • Build credibility and trust with technical and non-technical stakeholders within client organizations.
  • Provide expert advice and nurture relationships while navigating organizational complexities.
• Strategic Development
  • Actively contribute to growing existing accounts and to winning new work as part of the Business development team.
  • Work with Program Managers to identify, prevent, and mitigate project risks.
  • Drive thought leadership initiatives that solidify Apply Digital's position as a top global MACH delivery partner.

REQUIREMENTS

• 8+ years of experience in technology leadership roles, with expertise in commerce, platforms, and product delivery.
• Comprehensive understanding of MACH (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, Headless) and Composable architecture, including design, implementation and how these principles align with strategic business objectives.
• Proven consultancy experience providing strategic technological guidance to clients.
• Experience contributing to business development including supporting proposals, scoping, estimation and client acquisition in an agency/consultancy context.
• Comprehensive understanding of software engineering, system architecture, and project management.
• Working knowledge of AI/ML platforms and agentic development practices, with an ability to evaluate and guide their adoption in a client delivery context.
• Familiarity with Google Cloud Platform (GCP); GCP certification preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency across front-end, back-end, mobile, and platform engineering.
• Strong leadership abilities with experience mentoring teams and managing complex projects.
• Strategic thinking skills that align technology solutions with business objectives.
• Excellent risk management capabilities across technical, staffing, scoping, client relationship and AI-augmented delivery domains.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills that foster trust and collaboration.
• Awareness of security and compliance requirements in cloud-native environments and the ability to engage credibly with enterprise clients on these topics.

Nice to Have

• Hands-on experience integrating LLM-based tooling (e.g. Vertex AI, Claude, agentic workflows) into engineering teams.
• Experience advising clients on AI strategy or AI-enabled product development.
• GCP Professional Cloud Architect or equivalent certification.
• Certifications in MACH tooling such as commercetools and Contentstack.
• Background in digital transformation projects.
• Experience in multiple industry verticals.

LIFE AT APPLY

People are at the core of everything we do at APPLY. We provide you with modern tools, systems and approaches, value your time, safety, and health, and strive to build a work community where you can thrive and grow. Here are a few benefits we offer to support you:

• Agentic Delivery: Our people work in a modern way to deliver client outcomes. Broaden your skills on a range of engagements with international brands that have a global impact.
• An inclusive and safe environment: We’re truly committed to building a culture where you are celebrated and everyone feels welcome and safe.
• AI & Strategic Upskilling: Accelerate your professional growth with generous training budgets and mentorship, with a specific focus on Agentic AI expertise and the critical human skills required for the future of work.
• Vacation policy: We value work–life balance, so you’ll enjoy 24 days of vacation plus 8 bank holidays to rest, recharge, and focus on what matters most.
• Benefits: We use Vitality benefits designed to enhance your health, well-being, and work–life balance.
• Flexible work arrangements: We work in a variety of ways, from remote, to in-office, to a blend of both.

APPLY is a safe, respectful, and inclusive community where differences are celebrated. We are committed to equal opportunity and fostering a workplace where everyone belongs.