Senior Director Technology – Web Technologies & AI (all genders)

Valtech; Köln; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Valtech is seeking a Senior Director Technology to lead digital transformation initiatives for clients, champion AI-first engineering, and drive modern web and cloud-native architectures. You will shape technology strategy, guide cross-functional teams, and influence C-level stakeholders to accelerate AI-enabled delivery and digital experiences.

You will build engineering excellence, foster innovation, and ensure scalable, secure platforms while expanding Valtech’s impact across industries.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive technology leadership experience.
• 5+ years in senior technology management roles.
• Proven leadership of large distributed engineering teams.
• Experience managing multiple client engagements simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Define technology vision and architecture strategies for enterprise-scale platforms.
• Lead roadmaps across web, ecommerce, cloud, data, and AI.
• Drive AI-first engineering and governance practices.
• Act as executive technology advisor for strategic accounts and translate business needs into scalable tech solutions.

Skills

Technology leadership

Executive communication

AI strategy

Cloud architecture

Frontend technologies

Backend technologies

Team leadership

Client advisory

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

React

Next.js

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Why Valtech? We’re the experience innovation company - a trusted partner to the world’s most recognized brands. To our people we offer growth opportunities, a values-driven culture, international careers and the chance to shape the future of experience.

The opportunity

At Valtech, you’ll find an environment designed for continuous learning, meaningful impact, and professional growth. Whether you're pioneering new digital solutions, challenging conventional thinking or building the next generation of customer experiences, your work will help transform industries.

We Are Proud Of

• The work we do and the innovation we drive
• Our values of share, care and dare
• A workplace culture that fosters creativity, diversity and autonomy
• Our borderless, global framework, which enables seamless collaboration

The role

The Senior Director Technology (all genders) is a strategic technology leader responsible for driving digital transformation initiatives for Valtech clients through modern web technologies, cloud-native architectures, and AI-enabled solutions.

This role combines technology leadership, client advisory, solution innovation, and people leadership.

The individual will shape technology strategy, lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, influence C-level stakeholders, and accelerate the adoption of AI-driven delivery and digital experiences across client engagements.

The Senior Director Technology (all genders) serves as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, ensuring the successful delivery of scalable, secure, and future‑ready digital platforms while fostering engineering excellence and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Technology Leadership

• Define technology vision and architecture strategies for enterprise-scale digital platforms.
• Lead technology roadmaps across web, ecommerce, composable platforms, cloud, data, and AI.
• Drive adoption of MACH, composable architecture, API-first ecosystems, and modern engineering practices.
• Establish engineering standards, governance frameworks, and quality benchmarks.
• Champion AI-first engineering and AI-assisted software development practices.

AI & Emerging Technologies

• Shape AI strategy and implementation approaches for internal and client-facing solutions.
• Guide teams in applying Generative AI, Agentic AI, RAG architectures, intelligent automation, and AI-enabled customer experiences.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies, frameworks, and platforms.
• Define governance, security, and responsible AI practices.
• Drive measurable business outcomes through AI innovation initiatives.

Client Leadership & Consulting

• Act as executive technology advisor for strategic accounts.
• Build trusted relationships with CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, and business executives.
• Lead technology discovery sessions, architecture workshops, and transformation programs.
• Translate business objectives into scalable technology solutions.
• Support business development, pursuits, and executive presentations.

Delivery Leadership

• Provide technology oversight across multiple client programs.
• Ensure successful execution of complex digital transformation initiatives.
• Manage technology risk, engineering quality, scalability, and security.
• Support program governance and strategic decision-making.
• Drive continuous improvement in delivery methodologies.

People & Capability Development

• Build and develop high-performing engineering organizations.
• Mentor Engineering Managers, Architects, Tech Leads, and Senior Engineers.
• Drive talent acquisition and workforce planning.
• Promote continuous learning, innovation, and engineering excellence.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and growth-oriented culture.

Commercial & Growth

• Contribute to sales, pre-sales, and solutioning activities.
• Lead technology responses for strategic RFPs and proposals.
• Support account growth through innovation and strategic advisory.
• Identify opportunities for new service offerings and AI-enabled solutions.
• Drive revenue growth and delivery profitability.

Required Experience

Leadership

• 12+ years of progressive technology leadership experience.
• 5+ years in senior technology management roles.
• Proven leadership of large distributed engineering teams.
• Experience managing multiple client engagements simultaneously.

Digital & Web Technologies

Strong Expertise In

• Modern web application architectures
• Headless CMS platforms
• Ecommerce platforms
• Cloud-native development
• Microservices architecture
• API-first ecosystems
• Frontend engineering (React, Next.js, Angular, Vue)
• Backend technologies (.NET, Java, Node.js)
• Platform engineering and DevOps

AI & Data

Experience Delivering Solutions Involving

• Generative AI
• Large Language Models (LLMs)
• RAG architectures
• AI Agents and Agentic workflows
• Prompt engineering
• AI governance and responsible AI
• Data platforms and analytics
• MLOps and AI deployment practices

Cloud Platforms

Deep Knowledge Of

• Microsoft Azure
• AWS
• Google Cloud Platform

Key Competencies

Strategic Leadership

• Technology vision and strategy
• Executive communication
• Business acumen
• Organizational leadership

Client Engagement

• Executive stakeholder management
• Consultative selling
• Solution shaping
• Enterprise architecture advisory

Technical Excellence

• Digital architecture
• AI solution design
• Cloud transformation
• Security and governance

Commercial Impact

• Revenue growth
• Account expansion
• P&L awareness
• Contract and risk management

Success Measures (KPIs)

Business Impact

• Revenue growth across technology engagements
• Client satisfaction (NPS/CSAT)
• Strategic account expansion
• Solution win rate

Delivery Excellence

• Delivery quality
• Technology governance compliance
• Program success rate
• AI adoption across projects

Organizational Impact

• Employee engagement
• Retention of key talent
• Capability development
• Leadership pipeline growth

Innovation

• AI solution adoption
• New service offerings launched
• Technology thought leadership contributions
• Reusable accelerators and frameworks created

Typical Career Profile

A successful Senior Director Technology at Valtech is a technology executive, architect, innovator, and business leader who can:

• Influence C-suite stakeholders.
• Lead large-scale digital transformation programs.
• Scale engineering organizations.
• Shape AI-enabled business solutions.
• Drive growth through innovation.
• Position Valtech as a trusted technology partner in experience innovation and AI-driven transformation.

Commitment to reaching all kinds of people

We design experiences that work for all kinds of people - and that starts with our own teams. At Valtech, we’re intentional about building an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported to grow, thrive and achieve their goals. No matter your background, you belong here. Explore our Diversity & Inclusion site to see how we’re creating a more equitable Valtech for all.

We do not require information such as age, gender, marital status, or a headshot in your application. We review all candidates based on skills, experience, and potential.

We are committed to inclusion and accessibility. If you need reasonable accommodations during the interview process, please either indicate it in your application or let your Talent Partner know.

About Valtech

Valtech is the experience innovation company that exists to unlock a better way to experience the world. By blending crafts, categories, and cultures, we help brands unlock new value in an increasingly digital world.

At the intersection of data, AI, creativity, and technology, we drive transformation for leading organizations, including L’Oréal, Mars, Audi, P&G, Volkswagen Dolby, and more.

At Valtech, we don’t just talk about transformation. We make it happen. Our people are the heart of our success, and we foster a workplace where everyone has the support to thrive, grow and innovate.

Are you ready to create what’s next? Join us.

Why do we state “all genders” in the title of this job description?

As per the AGG (General Equal Treatment Act) in Germany and equivalent in France, jobs must be advertised in a gender-neutral manner. We use the statement (all genders) to make it clear that this position is open to all genders in these countries, even if the job title itself can be translated or interpreted as "masculine" in the French or German language.