Director, Software Engineering – Web

JOB SUMMARY:   

Oversees day to day application development projects and engineering while leading continuous improvement on process definition and compliance. Directly manages software engineers and project managers.  Delivers on commitments to discipline partners and collaborates with architects on major digital initiatives across multiple channels (voice, web, mobile, API). Functions as the technical decision-maker and problem solver to deliver projects on time and on budget.  Promotes project quality and manages the application development team to promote satisfaction with all technology teams and business partners by following standard application development tools and processes.  Manages continuous improvement program to improve quality, consistency, and client satisfaction. Requires an understanding of AI-first implementation and enablement, including identifying high-value use cases, partnering with cross-functional stakeholders, and driving responsible adoption across engineering teams. 

CANDIDATE PROFILE   

Education and Experience  

Required: 

• 10+ years of application development leadership experience that includes: 

• 7+ years of technical experience within architecture development, integration of backend systems, and development 

• Ability to foster a culture of experimentation, innovation, and responsible adoption of emerging AI technologies within engineering teams 

• Led the integration of large language models (LLMs) such as GPT, Google Gemini, and Llama etc. into enterprise applications, enabling conversational AI, and intelligent automation 

• Proven track record of leading or contributing to AI-enabled development projects, including the integration of AI/ML solutions into enterprise applications and digital platforms 

• Deep understanding of integrating AI models into cloud-native architectures and microservices, enabling real-time data processing and intelligent automation 

• In-depth knowledge of integration approaches and architectures 

• Deep understanding of the cloud-native solution, microservices-architecture, and at least one or more of the following areas: API orchestration architecture, mobile-front end architecture, customer engagement architecture 

• Knowledge of backend technologies – Node.JS, Java, SQL, NoSQL, Spring boot, Kafka, Spark 

• Digital Customer Experience platforms (Adobe AEM and Marketing Cloud, Analytics, DTM, Target, Search & Promote) 

• Java, JavaScript and CSS for large scale website development – ReactJS 

• Ability to bridge the gap between technology and business 

• Self-driven, curious and a fast learner, and able to work in a fast-paced environment launching new consumer products to market 

• Possess strong problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks 

• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with the ability to coordinate between technical and business teams 

• Relevant experience in systems integration and development, package analysis, and implementation 

• Experience designing cloud native solutions (e.g., AWS, Azure) 

• Excellent collaborator, working in fully agile product or software delivery teams regionally 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as presentation skills 

• Influencing technology strategy by providing strategic advice, being a trusted advisor to discipline partners for leveraging/customizing software to meet their digital marketing requirements 

• Management of multiple Omni-Channel development efforts integrating with multiple back-end systems 

• Experience with Automation, CI/CD, Release Management processes and Application Deployments to Adobe Cloud. 

• Experience with multiple public cloud platforms like AWS and Azure 

• Working in a Product-based model and building strong partnerships with Product owners by providing innovative technology solutions to complex business problems 

• Ability to communicate complex technology solutions to both Product owners in a business-friendly manner and to Enterprise Architects in most technical detail 

• Direct management of complex budgets in excess of $5M+ annual direct and indirect costs 

• Direct management of cross functional, sourced, or matrixed teams 

• Undergraduate/graduate degree or equivalent education + experience 

Preferred: 

• Demonstrated experience designing and optimizing modern search experiences, including AI-assisted search, keyword relevance, and autosuggest/typeahead 

• Demonstrated success leading medium- to large-scale initiatives/transformations  

• Proven management experience in strategic planning and budgeting within one or more business groups 

• Experience with and knowledge of IT outsourcing activities in a managed services environment 

• Proven management experience in application development across waterfall and agile environments. 

• Proven knowledge of SDLC; good understanding of ITIL v3 Framework 

• Proven knowledge of Agile methodology; preferably SAFe Agile 

• Good process management, negotiating, influencing and problem resolution skills  

• Proven ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment 

• Knowledge of business environment, service requirements and hospitality culture 

• Demonstrated ability to assess customer/client needs, creatively approach solutions, decide and influence appropriate courses of action 

• Ability to understand and communicate the lifecycle of technologies and applications and to translate into business strategies for the client organizations. 

• Solid understanding of IT financial structures and ability to manage to corporate financial processes and standards - including drivers of process costs 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical ideas in easy to understand business terms 

• Ability to accomplish results through others, particularly by establishing relationships, effective controls and leading in a managed service environment 

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES   

Managing Application Development Standards, Processes, and Tools 

• Works with direct reports to facilitate consistency of service delivery across client groups 

• Facilitates compliance with the standard set of application development tools and processes that will drive consistency and predictability throughout the SDLC for all client groups including: 

• SDLC standard tools and processes for both waterfall and agile development 

• Estimating standard tools and processes, incorporating flexibility for small and large projects 

• Deployment standard tools and processes 

• Monitors projects for adherence to defined application development processes 

• Communicates to Application Development leaders opportunities to create broader IT related and corporate standards and policies where necessary 

• Communicates important application development policy changes that affect service provider and/or Marriott operations 

Managing Day-To-Day Relationships with Teams  

• Manages application development projects in partnership with IT teams, business partners and providers 

• Provides project management of business projects  

• Oversees effective reporting within application development team 

• Leads project reviews with team on application development projects 

• Manages day-to day relationships with all IT teams to promote the delivery of services that meet or exceed the client expectations 

• Monitors projects for alignment with defined business case process  

• Drives timely resolution of escalated service delivery problems and minimizes the impact of any client service delivery issues  

• Manages, and improves service level reporting for application development 

• Provides early warning to the appropriate Business Partnership & Planning leaders and team regarding degraded or missed service levels 

• Assists with application, development and maintenance of service provider project management standards and tools 

• Participates in client portfolio and demand management processes, and engages service providers to ensure client satisfaction  

• Works with application development service providers 

• Validates the service provider(s) performs the services agreed to by the master services agreement in a manner that is consistent with both the spirit and the letter of the agreement 

• Works with team to progress the service providers services to match client needs 

• Facilitates team and service provider compliance with the agreement 

• Validates service levels meet business needs 

• Facilitates the definition and enforcement of good service provider contracts 

• Supports the IT organization 

• Provides input to IT’s business strategy and planning as needed 

• Supports and follows defined IT Governance decision rights, standards and practices 

• Emphasizes accuracy and effectiveness of estimating and planning management with team 

• Provides input to business/discipline and continent IT budgets 

Implementing and Managing Continuous Improvement Program  

• Drives adoption of CMMi or similar metrics to demonstrate continuous improvement and alignment with the industry 

• Demonstrates continuous improvement through metrics of quality consistency and client satisfaction 

• Works with application development service providers, IT teams, and business partners to implement continuous improvement activities 

• Responds to issues identified in project surveys or other feedback processes, to continually improve client satisfaction