Head of Software Delivery & R&D | Hybrid | Makati | Flexible Shift

Emapta; Metro Manila; Hybrid; PHP 3,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary Package

Hybrid work arrangement

HMO for dependents upon regularization

Prime Makati office location

Job summary

Emapta is seeking a Head of Software Delivery and R&D to steer enterprise software architecture and AI innovation across global operations from its Makati hub. The role combines leadership of five technology squads with governance of modular architectures and AI-enabled data infrastructure.

You will mentor senior leads, drive architectural standards, and partner with Product and Implementation Management to ensure scalable, secure solutions.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in software engineering and delivery.
• Experience collaborating with Solutions Architecture and QA functions.
• Proven ability to manage distributed, squad-based delivery models.
• Experience implementing modular/service-based architectures and AI-ready data infra.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end software delivery across five Technology Squads.
• Lead transition to modular, service-based architectures for backend and frontend.
• Promote reuse of services/components across squads to reduce duplication.
• Mentor Squad Technical Leads and establish engineering standards.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Leadership

Stakeholder management

AI readiness

Solutions Architecture

Quality Assurance collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Job description

Lead Enterprise Software Excellence and AI Innovation Across Global Operations

The future of global talent demands technology leadership built for scale. Lead that evolution as Head of Software Delivery and R&D, influencing the digital foundations of an international workforce solutions provider. Position enterprise software architecture and AI innovation at the center of sustainable growth. Through Emapta, gain executive influence, hybrid flexibility, and long-term career opportunities alongside top 1% talent.

Job Overview

• Employment type: Full-time
• Shift: Flexible Shift Schedule, Weekends Off
• Work setup: Hybrid, PNB Building, Makati

Exciting Perks Await!

• Competitive Salary Package
• Hybrid work arrangement
• HMO coverage with free dependent upon regularization
• Prime office location in Makati (easy access to MRT stations, restaurants, and banks)
• Salary Advance Program through our banking partner (eligibility and approval subject to bank assessment; available to account holders with a minimum of 6 months of company tenure)
• Unlimited upskilling through Emapta Academy courses (Want to know more? Visit: https://emapta.com/training-calendar/)
• Free 24/7 access to our office gyms in Ortigas and Makati, with a free physical fitness trainer
• Exclusive Emapta Lifestyle perks (hotel and restaurant discounts, and more!)
• Unlimited opportunities for employee referral incentives across the organization
• Standard government and Emapta benefits
• A total of 20 annual leave credits to use at your discretion, including 5 credits convertible to cash
• Fun employee engagement activities
• Mentorship and exposure to global leaders and teams
• Career growth opportunities
• Diverse and supportive work environment

The Qualifications We Seek

Educational Background

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

Professional Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in software engineering and delivery leadership, including senior-level experience managing multiple engineering teams or squads.
• Proven experience leading or collaborating closely with Solutions Architecture and Quality Assurance (QA) functions.
• Demonstrated experience managing distributed, squad-based software delivery models across multiple concurrent projects and initiatives.
• Experience implementing modular or service-based architectures, phased release strategies, and AI-ready data infrastructure.

Required Skills

• Strong technical architecture expertise, with the ability to establish, implement, and enforce enterprise design standards.
• Comprehensive knowledge of modern software testing and release management practices, including parallel or scoped testing and phased deployments.
• Working knowledge of AI-enabling data patterns, including Data Operations (DataOps), centralized Identity and Access Management (IAM), and governed API layers, with an understanding of their importance in secure AI integration and reduced hallucination risks.
• Strong people leadership and team development skills, with experience managing engineering managers and technical leads.
• Excellent stakeholder management, executive communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred / Nice to Have

• Experience establishing or scaling an AI Technology Squad or equivalent research and development (R&D) or innovation function.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted development tools and modern engineering productivity practices.
• Experience in enterprise or business-to-business (B2B) software delivery environments.

Your Daily Tasks

Software Delivery & Engineering Leadership

• Oversee end-to-end software delivery across all five Technology Squads and lead the transition to modular, service-based, and component-based architecture for backend services and frontend applications.
• Promote the reuse of existing services and components across squads to reduce duplicate development efforts, improve efficiency, and accelerate software delivery.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Squad Technical Leads while establishing technical standards and consistent engineering practices across all squads.

Solutions Architecture

• Oversee the Solutions Design function and ensure consistent application of enterprise architecture principles and design standards across Digital Office initiatives.
• Provide senior architectural guidance and conduct design reviews for major initiatives to ensure new applications, AI capabilities, and integrations align with a modular, governed technology foundation.
• Collaborate with Product Management, Product Ownership, and Implementation Management to validate technical feasibility, architectural alignment, and solution readiness before development.

Testing & Release Management

• Oversee the Quality Assurance (QA) function and establish distinct test scopes for baseline and extended capabilities, including comprehensive functional and regression tests for core functionality and parallel, independent tests for extended features.
• Implement phased, lower-risk deployment strategies that prioritize internal and baseline capabilities before third-party and external integrations to reduce release risks and shorten the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC).

Research & Development / AI Readiness

• Direct research and development (R&D) initiatives through the AI Tech Squad, including the evaluation and pilot implementation of emerging technologies, agentic AI, and automation capabilities.
• Maintain AI-ready enterprise architecture through a dedicated Data Operations (DataOps) implementation layer, centralized Identity and Access Management (IAM), and a governed, auditable API infrastructure.
• Enforce secure data access protocols that require Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI applications to access information exclusively through governed APIs rather than direct database connections to reduce hallucination risks and prevent unauthorized data exposure.

Team Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop multidisciplinary technical teams across Software Engineering, Solutions Design, Quality Assurance, and the AI Tech Squad upon budget approval.
• Establish strategic priorities and allocate workloads across squads and functions to balance feature delivery, technical debt, architectural improvements, and software quality.

Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Serve as the primary technical point of accountability for Digital Office and collaborate with the Chief Digital Officer, Head of Implementation Management, Product Management and Design, and Data Architecture & Delivery to align technical feasibility, software delivery, and governed data and API access.
• Represent Software Delivery and R&D in Digital Office leadership discussions and strategic planning sessions.

Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate and improve software engineering, enterprise architecture, quality assurance, release management practices, technical standards, and development tools across Digital Office.
• Champion the adoption of modular architecture as the strategic foundation for future enterprise applications, system integrations, and AI development initiatives.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform additional administrative and non-administrative duties as assigned by authorized organizational representatives through written instructions or verbal directives.

Join Emapta, recognized as one of HR Asia's Best Companies to Work For in Asia 2026 for the fifth year in a row and winner of Inspiring Workplaces Australasia 2026. With a 50/50 gender ratio and a culture rooted in care and empathy, you'll feel valued from day one. We're committed to growing talent and setting you up for success.
Be part of a team that showcases Filipino excellence to the world. With over 30 offices across 11 countries and 1,200+ clients, you'll create real impact every day-whether you work from home or on-site. Our 100% virtual recruitment process makes it easy to get started.
At Emapta, you're not just joining a company-you're becoming part of a thriving community of 13,000+ professionals growing careers with purpose. And behind every partnership we build is a deep respect for people and the impact they make.
We place integrity at the heart of everything we do and truly value the human experience. That's why, for clients, it's a profound and transformational process that gives them the opportunity to achieve the business growth they desire.
Tim Vorbach, CEO

#EmaptaEra