Salary: £50,000 - 60,000 per year
Requirements
- At least 7 years experience in web or software development.
- Strong track record of leading technical teams.
- Experience in an agency, consultancy, or similarly fast-paced client environment.
- Strong knowledge of modern web development technologies.
- Experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and CMS platforms.
- 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 the 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.
- Take commercial ownership of the function, including revenue, costs, budgets, and profitability.
- Define the technology strategy and identify where new technologies can improve client outcomes and business efficiency.
- Lead thinking around AI adoption, research and development, technical innovation, workflow automation, new technology‑led products and services, reporting improvements, and system selection and implementation.
- Create and maintain a longer‑term development roadmap.
- Bring technical expertise into client conversations, helping scope solutions, shape proposals, and translate complex requirements into practical, commercially viable projects.
- Contribute to pitches and technical meetings when required.
- Ensure development projects are delivered to a consistently high standard.
- Oversee capacity, productivity, and utilisation across the team.
- Build relationships with external technology partners where additional expertise or capacity is required.
- Stay ahead of emerging technologies and development trends.
- Champion AI across the organisation and help identify and deliver productivity and workflow improvements.
Technologies
- AI
- CMS
- CSS
- JavaScript
- PHP
- Web
- UX UI Design
- Support
More
We are an established and ambitious agency based in the Telford area, offering a hybrid working arrangement with regular office attendance. This is a senior leadership opportunity reporting into our senior leadership team, where you will take ownership of our development function and play a major role in shaping our future. We offer the chance to influence our technical strategy, introduce AI and automation, improve internal systems and workflows, shape new services, and contribute directly to client delivery and commercial growth.
Head of Development - 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.
