Head of Delivery Technology
Full job spec: https://shorturl.at/cbLF5
Business function: Solutions Delivery Function
Reports to: Chief Commercial Officer
Employment: Permanent, 1.0 FTE
Location: Hybrid/remote options available
Role Purpose
The Head of Delivery Technology is responsible for leading the technology, architecture and technical capability that underpin FrontierSI's client services and solutions. The role combines senior billable technical delivery with organisation-wide accountability for the technology environment, standards and capabilities used by FrontierSI's delivery teams.
The role provides senior technical leadership and specialist expertise across complex and strategically important client engagements. Its delivery focus will respond to business and market requirements but is expected to include solution architecture, spatial data management, spatial data infrastructure, data integration, technical assurance and strategic client advisory.
At an organisational level, the role sets the direction for FrontierSI's delivery technology through the Digital Strategy and technology roadmap. It oversees delivery architecture, technical governance, technology investment and risk, responsible AI adoption, SaaS and managed-service readiness, and the platforms and tools used to develop and deliver client solutions. This accountability relates specifically to FrontierSI's delivery technology and is distinct from the corporate and operational systems overseen by the Chief Operating Officer.
Working closely with the Development Technical Lead, Earth Observation Technical Lead, Project Managers and other technical specialists, the role ensures organisational technology direction and standards are translated into consistent, secure, scalable and high-quality project delivery.
The Head of Delivery Technology also leads assigned Delivery Team members and contributes as a member of the Senior Management Team to organisational strategy, business planning, risk management, performance, capability and culture.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Delivery & Client Advisory
Provide senior technical leadership, specialist expertise and billable delivery across client and internal engagements. The nature of the work will vary according to business and project requirements and may include:
- Solution Architecture: Lead or advise on the design of complex spatial, data and digital solutions, including system components, platforms, data flows, integration approaches, cloud environments and implementation pathways.
- Technical Discovery and Requirements: Lead technical discovery activities and translate client, business and research needs into clear requirements, solution options and practical delivery approaches.
- Spatial Data Management Advisory: Advise clients on how spatial data is governed, structured, stored, integrated, accessed and used, including spatial data infrastructures, data architecture, data models, interoperability and information management practices.
- Senior Technical Delivery: Undertake billable technical work aligned with the role's expertise, including analysis, architecture, options assessment, solution design, technical assurance and implementation planning or support.
- Technical Analysis and Reporting: Produce high-quality technical reports, architecture documentation, recommendations, options assessments and other client deliverables that communicate complex matters clearly.
- Client Technical Advisory: Act as a trusted senior advisor to clients, supporting informed decisions about technology, architecture, spatial data management and implementation priorities.
- Technical Assurance: Review complex or high-risk solutions to confirm they are feasible, secure, scalable, supportable and aligned with client requirements and FrontierSI standards.
- Proposal Development: Lead or contribute to the technical components of proposals, including solution design, delivery approach, assumptions, effort estimates, technical risks and resourcing requirements.
- Delivery Collaboration: Work with Project Managers, Technical Leads and delivery teams to define scope, manage technical risks, resolve complex issues and achieve agreed project outcomes.
Technology Leadership
Provide organisation-wide leadership and accountability for the technology, technical governance and capability used to deliver FrontierSI's client services and solutions. This role sets the direction and framework within which Technical Leads and delivery teams operate.
- Digital Strategy and Technology Roadmap: Develop and lead the implementation of FrontierSI's Digital Strategy, including the delivery technology roadmap, architecture priorities, responsible AI adoption and technology investment priorities.
- Delivery Technology Architecture: Provide oversight of the organisation's delivery technology environment, including cloud platforms, spatial and data environments, application architecture, integration approaches and shared technical infrastructure.
- Technical Governance and Assurance: Establish and maintain proportionate architecture principles, technical standards, development practices and review processes covering quality, security, interoperability, scalability and consistency. Work with the Development Technical Lead and other Technical Leads to support adoption and adherence.
- SaaS and Managed-Service Readiness: Lead the technical and operational readiness of solutions intended to be offered as SaaS or managed services, including security, availability, support arrangements, service levels, monitoring, maintenance and associated technical documentation.
- Delivery Technology Portfolio: Oversee the suitability, governance and effective use of platforms and tools used for technical delivery, development and collaboration. This includes technologies such as GitHub, Jira, Confluence, AWS, approved AI platforms, Miro, Mural and Mentimeter.
- Technology Investment and Risk: Evaluate significant technology choices and advise Senior Management and the Executive on investment priorities, security, technical debt, vendor dependency, platform sustainability and other enterprise-level technology risks.
- Innovation and Emerging Technology: Identify and evaluate emerging technologies, tools and platforms and prioritise practical initiatives that improve delivery, efficiency, quality or client value.
- Technical Capability: Identify critical technical capability gaps and coordinate appropriate responses through recruitment, development, mentoring, partnerships, standards or technology investment.
Team Leadership
Lead and support assigned Delivery Team members to perform effectively, develop their capability and remain engaged.
- Onboarding & Probation: Work with the COO to oversee the onboarding and probation management of new staff.
- Staff Development: Coach and mentor team members, identify training opportunities, professional development needs, and support career growth through managing professional development planning process (PDP). This may be done in collaboration with the appropriate Technical Lead.
- Performance Management: Work with Technical Leads, Project Directors and Project Managers to manage performance and address issues as needed.
- Communication and Collaboration: Act as a liaison between the Senior Management Team, Executive Team and the team, facilitating clear communication and collaboration across projects and teams.
- Employee Well-being and Engagement: Address concerns, maintain a positive work environment, and resolve issues and conflicts to keep team members motivated and engaged.
Experience and Capabilities
Essential Criteria
- Senior experience leading the technology, architecture and technical capability used to deliver complex data, spatial or digital solutions.
- Strong solution architecture and spatial data management expertise, including cloud platforms, data integration, governance and spatial data infrastructure.
- Experience developing technology strategies and roadmaps and providing organisational leadership across technical governance, investment, risk and responsible AI adoption.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver senior billable technical work and act as a trusted advisor to clients on complex technology and spatial data matters.
- Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to translate technical issues for executive, client and multidisciplinary audiences.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing technical teams, supported by relevant qualifications or equivalent professional experience.
Preferred Criteria
- Consulting or professional-services experience, including proposal development, technical estimation and delivery against commercial targets.
- Experience establishing SaaS products, managed services or other recurring digital service models.
- Experience advising government, research or industry organisations on spatial data strategy, enterprise architecture or digital transformation.
Role Boundaries and Collaboration
Role: Development Technical Lead
Primary Contribution: Hands-on software and cloud solution delivery; project-level architecture and technical decisions; development standards, engineering practice and mentoring of developers.
Role: Project Managers
Primary Contribution: Project scope, schedule, budget, governance and client coordination, supported by this role on technical approach, risk and quality.
The employee may perform other related duties as reasonably required to meet the ongoing needs of the organisation.