Global Head - Engineering

The Global Head of Engineering at Mercans will lead and manage the IT department, driving the strategic direction and daily operations of the global software development teams. This role requires establishing and optimizing key processes, selecting and managing personnel, and fostering continuous improvement in engineering practices and organizational performance. The ideal candidate will combine strong leadership skills with deep technical expertise to ensure the delivery of high-quality software solutions aligned with the company’s goals.

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership:
Develop and communicate a clear vision and strategy for the global development organization that promotes innovation and excellence. Oversee daily operations and governance of worldwide software development teams. Conduct resource planning to ensure adequate staffing aligned with the company’s strategic objectives and product roadmap. Provide guidance and supervision to the leadership team, ensuring their performance meets established goals. Plan team structures and roles based on current and future company needs, competencies, and resource requirements. Collaborate with HR and line managers in recruitment planning and execution.

Performance Management:
Design and implement performance measurement metrics aligned with industry best practices. Ensure individual goals correspond with organizational objectives and track these metrics regularly. Analyze performance data to identify inefficiencies and underlying causes. Set and monitor performance goals for team leads and members in coordination with HR and leadership. Use performance discussions to evaluate professional growth and work outcomes, setting realistic future goals.

Process Management:
Develop detailed procedures and process maps for the development organization, ensuring alignment with industry standards and company-wide processes. Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of strategic IT and development processes. Collaborate with other department heads on cross-functional process improvements. Participate in company policy development and manage information and communication flows effectively.

Financial Management:
Manage budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for the IT discipline. Identify and implement opportunities to optimize the IT cost base without compromising quality or performance.

Additional Responsibilities:
Complete additional tasks assigned by management within the business scope. Support business development and marketing efforts by engaging in client and sales calls and contributing to marketing activities. Ensure all development processes comply with security and quality standards such as ISO 9001, 20001, 27001, 27017, 27018, OWASP, SOC 1, and SOC 2. Assist Compliance and Data Security teams during audits by providing necessary documentation. Develop and maintain a Risk Management Framework, including a Risk Register and Risk Matrix, actively mitigating risks related to development. Maintain transparency of development processes and standards for external stakeholders. Create and implement an annual strategic plan for the development organization.

Required Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years’ relevant industry experience.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in English with excellent written and verbal communication.
- Hands-on experience in IT management, resource planning, and process optimization.
- Proven track record leading global software development teams and managing large-scale engineering projects.

Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with enterprise-level software development and architecture.
- Familiarity with cloud technologies, DevOps methodologies, and security frameworks.
- Knowledge of HR and payroll software solutions.

Performance Goals
- Achieve at least 10% year-on-year improvement in organizational performance by analyzing data, identifying inefficiencies, and implementing targeted improvements.
- Optimize engineering efficiency by reducing time spent on non-development activities by 10% annually through workflow improvements and automation.
- Ensure a minimum of 75% of development resources’ time is dedicated to development tasks by minimizing administrative overhead and unnecessary meetings.
- Reduce rework and reuse tasks by 30% within the year by enforcing code quality standards, automated testing, and regular code reviews.
- Decrease the product backlog by 30% by year-end, ensuring all remaining items have clear priorities and acceptance criteria to streamline project delivery.

This role offers the opportunity to lead a dynamic global engineering organization, driving innovation and operational excellence while supporting Mercans’ growth and strategic objectives.