Head - Engineering Operations

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Head of Engineering Operations to lead the operational excellence of our engineering division. As the Head of Engineering Operations, you will be responsible for the seamless management, optimization, and scaling of all engineering activities within the organization. This leadership role is critical to ensuring that our engineering teams work efficiently, effectively, and cohesively to deliver high-quality products and innovations on time and within budget. You will work directly with senior leadership to drive the long-term vision and the day-to-day success of engineering operations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership & Vision:
   • Define and execute the operational strategy for the engineering department to drive scalability, innovation, and performance.
   • Collaborate closely with senior leadership to align engineering operations with company-wide goals, ensuring that engineering is well-positioned to meet the demands of the business.
   • Develop, communicate, and implement key engineering priorities, ensuring that all teams are aligned and executing effectively.
2. Process & Operational Excellence:
   • Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to optimize processes, tools, and workflows, enhancing team performance and efficiency.
   • Implement and refine agile methodologies, software development practices, and operational systems to streamline engineering productivity and quality.
   • Establish and maintain engineering metrics and KPIs to measure performance, identify bottlenecks, and ensure projects meet established goals and deadlines.
3. Team & Resource Management:
   • Lead and mentor a high-performing engineering operations team, fostering a collaborative, high-impact culture that promotes growth, accountability, and innovation.
   • Ensure resource allocation is aligned with project needs, balancing short-term project delivery with long-term strategic goals.
   • Develop and implement talent acquisition, retention, and development strategies to ensure the engineering team is staffed with top-tier talent.
4. Project Delivery & Risk Management:
   • Oversee engineering project timelines, deliverables, and quality control to ensure successful on-time delivery of products and services.
   • Manage project risks proactively, using data and insights to identify issues early and implement mitigation strategies.
   • Ensure effective communication and collaboration across engineering, product, operations, finance and other departments, minimizing friction and maximizing efficiency.
5. Financial & Budget Management:
   • Lead the engineering budget planning and financial management, ensuring alignment with organizational goals while optimizing resource spend.
   • Monitor operational expenses, optimize cost structures, and implement strategies that ensure engineering productivity while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
   • Act as the central point of contact between engineering and other key departments (Product, Finance, IT, Operations, etc.), fostering strong relationships to align business and engineering priorities.
   • Drive alignment between product development timelines and engineering resources, ensuring smooth collaboration and delivery.
   • Collaborate with external stakeholders, vendors, and partners to ensure that engineering operations are aligned with industry best practices and emerging technologies.
7. Continuous Improvement & Innovation:
   • Stay at the forefront of industry trends, tools, and technologies, continuously evaluating and integrating new practices to improve operational efficiency.
   • Create a culture of continuous learning and innovation, encouraging teams to experiment, learn from failures, and iterate on solutions.
   • Ensure that the engineering team is agile, adaptable, and always focused on delivering high-impact solutions.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. PMP certification would be a huge plus. An MBA degree is highly desirable.
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years in engineering operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership or senior management role. Proven experience scaling engineering teams, managing cross-functional projects, and driving operational excellence.
• Skills: 
  • Expertise in engineering management, agile methodologies, and operational strategies.
  • Strong project management skills with a deep understanding of managing budgets, resources, and cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent leadership skills with a track record of building high-performance teams and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.
  • Proficiency with industry tools and technologies for project management, resource planning, and performance tracking.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
  • Superior communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience in leading large scale engineering transformations building strong product development mindset following agile methodologies.

Desirable Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision with short-term execution.
• Experience managing large-scale engineering projects across multiple teams.
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle management and its integration with engineering operations.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, leading teams through change and ambiguity.