At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented technical team and shape our technology strategy.
- Company: Ambitious agency in Telford with a hybrid working setup.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunity for career progression, and influence on business direction.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture and help shape the future of technology in our agency.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving innovation and adopting AI in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in web/software development and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Requirements
- At least 7 years experience in web or software development.
- A strong track record of leading technical teams.
- Experience in an agency, consultancy, or similarly fast-paced client environment is highly valuable.
- Strong knowledge of modern web development technologies.
- Experience with HTML, CSS, Java Script, PHP, and CMS platforms.
- A sound understanding of UX and UI principles.
- Experience leading, mentoring, and developing technical teams.
- Ability to create and deliver a clear technical strategy.
- Strong commercial awareness and experience managing budgets or departmental financial performance.
- Confidence scoping complex technical solutions for clients.
- Practical understanding of AI, automation, and emerging technologies.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex technical challenges and make sound decisions.
- Genuine interest in innovation and improving how technology supports clients and the wider business.
Responsibilities
- Provide clear leadership and direction to our technical team.
- Create an environment where people can perform at their best, develop their skills, and progress their careers.
- Set objectives and performance measures for the department.
- Assess current and future skills requirements and ensure the team has the right structure, capabilities, and resources to support our growth plans.
- Take commercial ownership of the function, including responsibility for departmental revenue, costs, budgets, and profitability.
- Define our technology strategy and identify where new technologies can improve outcomes for clients and the efficiency of the wider business.
- Lead thinking around AI adoption and capability across our agency.
- Drive research, development, and technical innovation.
- Oversee automation of internal workflows and processes.
- Identify opportunities for new technology-led products and services.
- Improve reporting, delivery, and operational efficiency.
- Select and implement software and systems across the business.
- Create and maintain a longer-term development roadmap.
- Bring technical expertise into conversations with new and existing clients.
- Help scope solutions, shape proposals, and translate complex requirements into practical, commercially viable projects.
- Contribute to pitches and technical meetings when required.
- Act as a credible senior technical representative of our business.
- Ensure development projects are delivered to a consistently high standard.
- Oversee capacity, productivity, and utilisation across the team.
- Manage the balance between billable and non-billable activity.
- Build relationships with external technology partners where additional expertise or capacity is required.
- Champion AI across the organisation.
- Help senior leaders identify and deliver projects that improve productivity, workflows, client services, and decision-making.
- Keep ahead of emerging technologies and development trends.
- Assess where new tools and approaches can create meaningful value.
- Introduce new tools and approaches where appropriate.
Technologies
- AI
- CMS
- CSS
- Support
- Java Script
- PHP
- Web
- UX UI Design
More
We are working with an established and ambitious agency in the Telford area offering a hybrid working setup with regular office attendance.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for a Head of Development / Development Lead / Lead Developer to step up and take ownership of the technical function.
We offer the chance to shape our technology strategy, influence wider business direction, introduce AI and automation, improve internal systems and workflows, develop new services, support client growth, and lead a talented technical team spanning experienced, mid-level, and junior talent.
The successful person will report into our senior leadership team and play a major role in the future of the business.
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Head of Development in Wellington employer: Smile Digital
Join a dynamic and innovative digital product and venture business that values meaningful client relationships and high-quality delivery. As a remote employer based in the UK, we offer a collaborative work culture that fosters professional growth and encourages you to take ownership of your role in shaping new business strategies. With a focus on employee development and a commitment to building a structured sales function, this is an exciting opportunity for those looking to make a significant impact in a rapidly evolving industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Development in Wellington
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Smile Digital or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Smile Digital.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Smile Digital.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Smile Digital that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Development in Wellington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Smile Digital.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Smile Digital and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smile Digital
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Smile Digital uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
