Head of Engineering
Location: Zurich, hybrid
DEPT® is a Growth Invention company dedicated to accelerating the growth of ambitious brands by merging technology and marketing expertise. With 4,000 specialists across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data, we operate at a 50|50 tech-to-marketing ratio. Our clients include Google, Lufthansa, Meta, eBay, and OpenAI. We have been a certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.
JOB PURPOSE
This role is part of our Experience & Engineering team in Germany, focused on creating impactful digital experiences through the fusion of technology and design.
As a key leader, you will shape the strategic direction and growth of our Engineering teams, managing approximately 7-9 professionals, including Team Leads and Senior Engineers. Your responsibilities will encompass building systems, optimizing processes, developing future leaders, and driving the cultural shift towards AI-driven development.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
- Leadership of Leaders: Lead, coach, and mentor Team Leads and Senior Engineers, owning their career development and empowering them to excel.
- AI Change Management: Define the roadmap for integrating AI into the engineering lifecycle (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Agentic Workflows) and act as a change agent to enhance efficiency and innovation.
- Operational Excellence: Take full ownership of departmental operational performance, including resource planning, budget monitoring, and utilization, ensuring a profitable and scalable engineering organization.
- Strategic Partnering: Collaborate with Directors and VPs to refine DEPT®'s technological vision in the DACH region and serve as a high-level technical advisor for key accounts.
- Cultural Stewardship: Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture and implement modern department rituals that promote knowledge sharing and innovation.
WHAT YOU BRING:
- Proven People Manager: Demonstrated experience leading teams in a "manager-of-managers" structure or significant experience managing larger engineering departments.
- Change Agent: Passion for AI's potential in the software lifecycle and a clear vision for evolving modern engineering organizations.
- Frontend Background: Deep technical expertise in frontend development, enabling validation of architectural decisions and mentorship.
- Business Acumen: Understanding of agency/consultancy economic drivers and the ability to translate KPIs into actionable success.
- Communication: Confident communication skills in both German and English, adept at presenting complex technical topics to stakeholders and clients.
WE OFFER:
- Flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days in office).
- 25 days of holiday, with options for unpaid leave.
- Flexible health budget and Wellness & personal day.
- Learning & development budget.
- Referral bonus program.
- Occasional breakfast & lunch, Smoothie Tuesday.
- Contribution to health via the OpenUp platform.
- Choice of working from our spacious Zurich office or the well-equipped Bern office.
- Social events and opportunities for connection.
- Certified B Corp® and award-winning agency status.
- Opportunity to work with diverse and exciting clients.
- Support for professional development, training, and certifications.
- Global annual DEPT® Cares Month supporting local charities.
WHY DEPT®?
We are a Growth Invention company focused on accelerating brand growth through the intersection of technology and marketing. We pioneer ideas, act fast, and move further. Our culture values curiosity, intent, and a "get sh*t done" attitude, fostering collaboration and impact.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
DEPT® is committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We actively seek diverse talent and encourage applications from individuals who may not meet every qualification. We are open to discussing reasonable adjustments to support you throughout the recruitment process.
Learn more about our DEI efforts here.
