Head of Development, Development Lead, Lead Developer

Head of Development, Development Lead, Lead Developer Location: Telford area, Hybrid, with regular office attendance.

The opportunity

We are working with an established and ambitious agency that is looking to appoint a Head of Development / Development Lead / Lead Developer ready to step up to lead its technical function and play a major role in shaping the future of the business.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who combines strong technical credibility with commercial awareness, team leadership and a genuine appetite for innovation. You will take ownership of the development function, lead a talented technical team and help define how technology, AI and automation can improve both client delivery and the wider agency operation.

The role goes well beyond managing website and software projects. You will have the opportunity to influence technical strategy, shape new services, drive research and development, improve internal systems and workflows, support client growth and develop the capability of the team around you.

You will report into the senior leadership team and have responsibility for a development department spanning experienced, mid-level and junior technical talent.

Your role will involve:

You will provide clear leadership and direction to the technical team, creating an environment where people can perform at their best, develop their skills and progress their careers.

You will 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 the agency's growth plans.

Alongside people leadership, you will take commercial ownership of the function, including responsibility for departmental revenue, costs, budgets and profitability.

Setting the technology direction

A major part of the role will be defining the agency's technology strategy and identifying where new technologies can create better outcomes for clients and improve the efficiency of the wider business.

You will lead thinking around:

• AI adoption and capability across the agency.
• Research, development and technical innovation.
• Automation of internal workflows and processes.
• New technology led products and services.
• Improvements to reporting, delivery and operational efficiency.
• The selection and implementation of software and systems across the business.

You will also create and maintain a longer term development roadmap, setting out priorities for new services, technical improvements, team requirements and future opportunities.

You will bring technical expertise into conversations with both new and existing clients, helping to scope solutions, shape proposals and translate complex requirements into practical, commercially viable projects.

You will be comfortable contributing to pitches and technical meetings when required, acting as a credible senior technical representative of the business.

You will have overall responsibility for ensuring development projects are delivered to a consistently high standard.

You will oversee capacity, productivity and utilisation across the team, including the balance between billable and non-billable activity, and build relationships with external technology partners where additional expertise or capacity is required.

Innovation, AI and continuous improvement

This role will be central to the agency's continued evolution.

You will keep ahead of emerging technologies and development trends, assess where they can create meaningful value and introduce new tools and approaches where appropriate.

You will act as a champion for AI across the organisation, helping senior leaders identify and deliver projects that improve productivity, workflows, client services and decision-making.

About you:

You are likely to have at least 7 years' experience in web or software development, together with a strong track record of leading technical teams.

Previous experience in an agency, consultancy or similarly fast-paced client environment would be particularly valuable.

Technically, you will bring strong knowledge of modern web development technologies. Experience across areas such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and CMS platforms would be highly relevant, alongside a sound understanding of UX and UI principles.

You will ideally bring:

Experience leading, mentoring and developing technical teams.

• The 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.
• A practical understanding of AI, automation and emerging technologies.
• The ability to troubleshoot complex technical challenges and make sound decisions.
• A genuine interest in innovation and improving how technology supports both clients and the wider business.

This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of a technical function rather than simply managing a development team.

You will have the scope to influence the company's wider technology direction, introduce AI and automation, improve internal systems, shape new services and play an active part in commercial growth.

Apply now for immediate consideration - client is ready to interview!