At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the tech strategy for e-commerce, apps, and AI initiatives at Classic Football Shirts.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Classic Football Shirts, where football culture thrives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly, diverse team dedicated to enhancing the fan experience.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role that drives innovation in football merchandise.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in full-stack development with expertise in Magento and AI projects.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 € per year.
Job Description
About Classic Football Shirts
Classic Football Shirts started in 2006 when university friends Matt Dale and Doug Bierton set out to track down rare football shirts. From those early days in a bedroom full of rails, the company has grown into a thriving business with a talented team, a busy warehouse, and stores in Manchester, London, and the US.
Our passion for football and the stories behind every shirt drives everything we do. At Classic Football Shirts, we work together, stay grounded, and always put our fans at the heart of the business. We share the passion, win together, stay fan-focused, be agile, and stay grounded — values that guide how we operate every day.
To find out more about our story so far please follow this link: https://www.classicfootballshirts.co.uk/about-us
We welcome all suitably qualified applicants and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We have a great work ethic and a friendly group of diverse employees who enjoy working here to help carry out our mission.
The Role:
We are a leading e-commerce and retail business specializing in high-end football merchandise. As we expand our digital ecosystem, we are seeking a Head of Development to lead the technical strategy and execution across our e-commerce platforms, mobile applications, and AI-driven initiatives. This is a strategic leadership role with full ownership of the technology stack, team development, and the delivery of high-performance digital products.
Role Overview:
The Head of Development will define and execute the technical vision for the company’s digital ecosystem, encompassing e-commerce platforms (Magento), mobile apps, and AI initiatives. You will manage a multi-disciplinary team, drive innovation, and ensure robust, scalable, and high-performing technology solutions that align with business objectives.
Hours: The role is a full-time position
Key Responsibilities:
- Technology Leadership: Own the end-to-end technical strategy for e-commerce, apps, and AI initiatives. Ensure alignment with business goals and scalability.
- Team Management: Lead, mentor, and grow a diverse team of developers, engineers, and data scientists across multiple disciplines.
- E-commerce Development: Oversee Magento development and integration with internal systems, third-party APIs, and digital tools.
- App Development: Manage the architecture, development, and release of mobile apps, ensuring performance, UX quality, and seamless integration with the e-commerce ecosystem.
- AI & Advanced Technology: Drive AI initiatives, including product recommendation engines, computer vision, predictive analytics, and other ML-driven applications.
- Project & Delivery Management: Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to high-quality standards. Implement agile methodologies and best practices for engineering workflows.
- Infrastructure & Security: Oversee cloud infrastructure, data security, and compliance across all digital products.
- Collaboration with Stakeholders: Work closely with marketing, merchandising, operations, and leadership teams to ensure technology meets business needs and drives growth.
Required Skills & Experience:
- Proven experience in leading full-stack development teams, with ownership of e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, and AI or data-driven projects.
- Strong expertise in Magento 2, APIs, modern web and mobile frameworks (React, PHP) and cloud infrastructure (GCP)
- Hands-on experience with AI/ML initiatives, including model deployment, data pipelines, and analytics integration.
- Demonstrated ability to architect scalable, secure, and performant systems.
- Strong understanding of software development life cycles, agile methodologies, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Excellent leadership, team-building, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to translate business objectives into technical solutions.
Philosophical Traits:
- Visionary Leader: Sees the big picture and sets a long-term technology roadmap.
- Hands-On & Strategic: Balances technical depth with executive oversight and decision-making.
- Innovative Problem Solver: Encourages experimentation, evaluates emerging technologies, and drives innovation.
- Collaborative Mentor: Builds high-performing teams and fosters a culture of growth, learning, and accountability.
- Customer-Centric: Ensures all technical initiatives ultimately enhance the user experience and business impact
Application:
· Application method: please email CV and Cover Letter to recruitment@classicfootballshirts.co.uk
· Please note: We are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role, so we kindly ask that agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy.
Head of Development in London employer: Classic Football Company Ltd.
At Classic Football Shirts, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values passion, teamwork, and innovation. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration among a diverse team, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development in the heart of Manchester. As we expand our digital ecosystem, the Head of Development role offers a unique chance to lead cutting-edge technology initiatives while being part of a company that truly puts its fans at the forefront of everything we do.
Contact Detail:
Classic Football Company Ltd. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Development in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at Classic Football Shirts. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for football! When you get the chance to chat with someone from the team, share your love for the game and how it connects to your work. It’s all about aligning with their values and showing you’re a fan at heart.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their digital ecosystem. Familiarise yourself with their e-commerce platforms and think of innovative ideas you could bring to the table. This shows you’re not just interested but ready to contribute!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and are keen to be part of the Classic Football Shirts family.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your love for football shine through! We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Classic Football Shirts. Share any personal stories or experiences that connect you to the world of football.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Development role. Highlight your relevant experience with e-commerce platforms, mobile apps, and AI initiatives. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and achievements!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your CV and cover letter. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Classic Football Shirts. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Classic Football Company Ltd.
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Magento 2 and AI initiatives. Brush up on your knowledge of APIs and cloud infrastructure, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your approach to team management and development. Think of examples where you've successfully led a diverse team or mentored junior developers. This role is all about collaboration, so highlight your ability to build high-performing teams.
✨Align with Their Passion
Classic Football Shirts is all about football and the stories behind the shirts. Show your enthusiasm for the sport and how it connects to your work. Share any personal experiences or projects that reflect your passion for football and how it drives your technical decisions.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Be ready to discuss how you would handle specific challenges related to e-commerce development or AI initiatives. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
