Global Head of Software Engineering (all genders)

Global Head of Software Engineering (all genders): Architect the Future of Retail Tech

As Global Head of Software Engineering (all genders), you are responsible for the strategic direction and further development of the software engineering teams our Professional Services business unit in Europe and South Africa. In this role, you lead more than 250 FTEs globally, covering both the technical and the people leadership side.

What You’ll Do

• Teams lead, scale, grow: You lead the line organization, plan and allocate software engineers across all projects, secure qualified talent, and develop your people deliberately. Across cultures and time zones, you build collaboration that works.
• Quality meets velocity: You ensure every project meets the highest quality standards, and you apply modern engineering practices and AI tools to raise efficiency and the customer experience to a new level. You tackle operational challenges hands-on and scale solutions across all projects.
• Customer-facing and trusted: You are the central point of contact for our customers, especially in sales processes, when introducing agile and AI-supported engineering processes, and in escalations. You engage decision-makers at eye level and build partnerships that last.
• Global stage: You represent GK Software at international conferences and trade fairs, presenting forward-looking retail tech solutions that establish us as a leading provider in the industry.
• Build what’s next: GK Software is growing. You plan and build new software engineering locations worldwide, from site selection and infrastructure to building strong teams.

What You Bring

• You bring extensive experience leading software teams, ideally in international environments, and have scaled locations across national borders.
• IIdeally, you have a deep understanding of the retail business and POS systems, experience with cloud and omnichannel solutions, and know how to turn them into seamless, personalized, and sustainable shopping experiences for our customers.
• Ideally, you bring many years of hands-on technical experience, know modern toolchains, the Secure Software Lifecycle and ISO standards, and ideally Jira/Confluence. Experience with AI tools in software development is a clear plus.
• You communicate confidently with customers at all levels, including C-level, and make complex matters clear, concise, and persuasive.
• You treat challenges and conflicts as design tasks. You quickly find workable solutions that safeguard the interests of both GK Software and our customers.
• The initial phase requires a high willingness to travel: visiting teams, supporting customers, and evaluating new locations. Flexibility and the ability to work effectively on the road are essential.
• You communicate confidently in German and English, both written and spoken. Additional languages are a plus.