At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead tech development and scale a global sports-tech platform.
- Company: Fast-growing sports-tech business transforming player engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and significant growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a high-velocity culture with real impact.
- Why this job: Join a pioneering team and shape the future of sports technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in software leadership and managing development teams.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
This is a rare opportunity to join one of the fastest-scaling sports-tech businesses at a genuinely formative stage. This consumer-facing gamification platform is transforming how sports clubs monetise their courses and engage players. With a zero-cost, zero-barrier model, the platform delivers immediate revenue uplift and enhanced player experience through a seamless, technology-enabled solution.
The business has:
- Completed successful funding rounds, oversubscribed
- The next round is imminent, already oversubscribed by existing investors, valuing the business at £40m
- Scaling to 250+ live locations across 4 continents before the end of this year
- A live pipeline exceeding 600 locations, continuing to grow at pace
- A clear path toward a £100m+ valuation in the short to medium term
The core commercial model is highly attractive, generating approximately £100,000 revenue per location for the business, fully self-operating with minimal installation and operational friction, and no meaningful direct competition in the category.
With further technology platform launches planned over the next 12 months, the business is evolving from a single product into a broader global multi-product proposition, expanding its footprint into operational and B2B solutions for its growing client base.
A critical aspect of this plan is to recruit a Head of Technology/Deputy-CTO, to take an autonomous but hands-on technical leadership role as the business continues to expand and develop at an accelerated pace, building the next revenue layer for the business.
Reporting to the high-profile, US-based CTO, but working extremely closely with the UK-based CEO and COO, the appointee will take ownership of the day-to-day technology function, ensuring the current platform continues to perform, scale and evolve, while also leading the development of new product offerings designed to deepen engagement with the existing customer base.
This is not a pure strategy or architecture role. It is building the backbone of the future development, responsible for delivering, scaling and evolving the technology that underpins a rapidly growing global business.
Core Objectives
- Enable the business to scale from hundreds to thousands of locations through robust, repeatable technology infrastructure.
- Ensure the stability, scalability and performance of the existing platform.
- Build and lead a high-performing development function.
- Develop and launch new B2B-focused technology products.
- Support the business in scaling internationally at pace.
- Act as the technical bridge between UK operations and the global CTO function.
Key Responsibilities
- Ownership of Product Delivery
- Lead the development and release of platform features
- Manage sprint planning, delivery cadence and development workflows
- Ensure engineering output aligns with commercial priorities and timelines
- Platform Stability & Scalability
- Maintain and continuously improve platform performance
- Ensure the system scales effectively alongside rapid global growth
- Proactively manage technical debt, resilience and system architecture
- Lead, mentor and manage internal and external developers
- Establish clear standards, processes and accountability across the team
- Build a development function capable of scaling with the business
- International Scalability Support
- Ensure platform readiness for global deployment, including:
- Payments infrastructure
- Compliance considerations
- Work closely with the COO to support international rollout capability
- Development of New Product Lines
- Lead the build and delivery of two new software products within the golf ecosystem
- These products will be:
- Operational / B2B focused
- Designed to support sports club management and performance
- Translate commercial ideas into scalable, user-centric software solutions
- Ensure robust and scalable data architecture
- Support development of dashboards and reporting tools
- Enable visibility across:
- Player behaviour
- Customer performance
- Product usage and engagement
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with:
- COO (scalability and infrastructure)
- Sales Director (client and market needs)
- CEO (product vision and direction)
- Act as the interface between technical delivery and commercial execution
- Alignment with Global CTO Function
- Report into and collaborate with the US-based CTO
- Ensure alignment with global technology strategy
- Act as the local technical lead, translating strategy into execution
This is a high-velocity environment. Speed of delivery is critical, and priorities will evolve.
What Success Looks Like (12 months)
- Platform remains stable under rapid global growth
- Development cadence is consistent and predictable
- New products successfully launched
- Technology enables seamless international rollout
- Clear visibility of data and performance across the platform
Candidate Profile
Candidate profile and chemistry fit is as critical for this pivotal role as technical performance. Working within a fast-paced, innovative, highly-entrepreneurial environment, attitude is as important as aptitude. The person is everything. The Head of Technology will be instrumental in technologising both the delivery objectives and embracing the culture of this business; the gravity of success is all about having the right attitude, underpinned with demonstrable experience.
Suitable candidates will already be high achieving, experienced software leaders with a track record of personal success and success in running technical teams no matter how small. They will possess a strong ethos in objective delivery, workflow planning, project management, customer/consumer appreciation and engagement plus a background in creating a culture of success. They will ideally have come from the gamification of consumer-tech sector, but more importantly will have the ability to excel in such an environment.
Experience
- Background as a developer or engineer, now operating in a leadership capacity
- Experience managing development teams (internal and/or external)
- Exposure to B2C platforms, SaaS or marketplace environments, preferably within gamification or consumer/sporting/leisure sectors
- Experience delivering technology in high-growth, fast-paced businesses
Capabilities
- Strong understanding of:
- Development workflows and delivery management
- Architecture trade-offs and scaling challenges
- Ability to balance:
- Speed vs stability
- Delivery vs perfection
- Comfortable operating in an evolving, high-growth environment
Personal Attributes
- Pragmatic, hands-on and delivery-focused
- Strong communicator with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Comfortable working at pace and under ambiguity
- Takes ownership and drives outcomes
- Naturally collaborative, with the confidence to challenge where required
Why This Role
- Join a business with exceptional early traction and investor backing
- Play a key role in scaling a global technology platform
- Build new products within an established and rapidly growing customer base
- Work within a highly commercial, fast-moving leadership team
- Operate as a technical leader with real influence, not just a functional manager
Summary
The Head of Technology/Deputy CTO will build, run and evolve the platform, ensuring it scales globally while delivering the next generation of products that underpin the business’s continued growth.
Head of Technology - Scale Global Platform & Products in Manchester employer: GARY CHAPLIN LTD
Join a dynamic and rapidly scaling sports-tech company that is revolutionising player engagement and monetisation for sports clubs. With a strong focus on innovation, employee growth, and a collaborative work culture, this role offers the chance to lead technology initiatives that directly impact global expansion and product development. Enjoy the benefits of working in a high-velocity environment where your contributions are valued and recognised, alongside opportunities for professional advancement as the company continues to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technology - Scale Global Platform & Products in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the sports-tech industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects or a GitHub account, make sure to highlight them. When you’re chatting with potential employers, share examples of how you’ve tackled challenges in tech and how you can bring that expertise to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for interviews! Research the company and its products thoroughly. Prepare to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around scaling technology and product delivery. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can demonstrate your leadership style.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technology - Scale Global Platform & Products in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology and sports shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission to transform the sports-tech landscape.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in tech leadership and product development. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so showcase how your background fits with our goals.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Head of Technology role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at GARY CHAPLIN LTD
✨Know the Business Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the company's mission, values, and recent achievements. Understand their gamification platform and how it transforms sports clubs. This knowledge will help you connect your experience to their goals and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Showcase Your Technical Leadership
Prepare to discuss your past experiences in leading development teams and managing projects. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully scaled technology solutions or improved platform performance. This is your chance to demonstrate that you can take ownership of the technology function.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be ready to share examples of how you've effectively collaborated with non-technical teams. Discuss how you’ve translated technical concepts for different audiences, ensuring everyone is aligned on project goals.
✨Be Ready for Rapid-fire Questions
Given the fast-paced nature of the business, expect questions that assess your ability to think on your feet. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially around balancing speed and stability in technology delivery. This will showcase your adaptability and readiness for the role.
