Engineering Director

dunnhumby is the global leader in Customer Data Science, empowering businesses everywhere to compete and thrive in the modern data-driven economy. We always put the Customer First.

Our mission: to enable businesses to grow and reimagine themselves by becoming advocates and champions for their Customers. With deep heritage and expertise in retail – one of the world's most competitive markets, with a deluge of multi-dimensional data – dunnhumby today enables businesses all over the world, across industries, to be Customer First.

dunnhumby employs nearly 2,500 experts in offices throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas working for transformative, iconic brands such as Tesco, Coca-Cola, Meijer, Procter & Gamble and Metro.

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Engineering Director to lead the design, development, and optimization of a cutting-edge Retail Media Intelligence and Real-Time Processing Platform.
This role will oversee all advertiser-, agency-, and CPG-facing demand products, including campaign planning, insights generation, and media measurement modules.

As a senior technology leader, you will define the engineering vision, guide product teams, and drive innovation across media planning, AI/ML-powered insights, and real-time data systems. You will collaborate closely with Product Management, Data Science, and UX Research to deliver scalable, intelligent solutions that enable clients to plan, optimize, and measure campaigns effectively across onsite, offsite, and in-store channels.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic & Technical Leadership

• Define and execute the engineering vision for the Retail Media Intelligence and Real-Time Processing Platform.
• Lead multiple engineering teams responsible for scalable APIs, real-time data processing, and machine learning–based recommendation systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into high-performing technical architectures.
• Drive innovation through adoption of domain-driven design, microservices, and event-driven architecture.
• Ensure timely delivery, adherence to SLAs, and alignment with overall business and product strategy.

Platform Engineering & Delivery

• Oversee the development of real-time data processing systems using technologies such as Apache Kafka, Flink, and Spark.
• Architect and scale data pipelines that integrate retailer loyalty, transaction, and media performance data.
• Build and operationalize AI/ML models that recommend optimal campaign strategies, audience segments, and performance forecasts.
• Ensure engineering excellence through robust DevOps practices, CI/CD automation, and continuous monitoring.

Data & Insights Enablement

• Partner with analytics and BI teams to deliver data products and visualization tools via platforms like Looker, Power BI, or ThoughtSpot.
• Enable self-serve insights for stakeholders to measure performance, incrementality, and multi-touch attribution.
• Integrate predictive intelligence and planning capabilities into the broader media ecosystem for real-time decisioning.

People Leadership & Governance

• Manage, coach, and develop a high-performing engineering organization distributed across multiple locations.
• Establish a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Define and track KPIs for engineering performance, quality, and delivery efficiency.
• Manage budget planning, capacity forecasting, and technical risk mitigation.
• Promote organizational values, ensuring compliance with the Code of Business Conduct, and support team development through training and mentorship.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Experience:

12–18 years of experience in software engineering, including 5+ years in senior engineering leadership roles.

Proven experience in retail media, adtech, or martech, preferably within a DSP, SSP, or Retail Media Network environment.

Demonstrated success in developing real-time processing systems, scalable APIs, and data-driven recommendation platforms.

Strong background in distributed systems, Apache Kafka, event-driven architecture, and cloud-native development.

Experience building and deploying AI/ML-enabled insights or planning systems for marketing and media optimization

Technical Expertise:

Proficiency in .NET/Java, Kafka, Flink, Spark, GCP/AWS, Kubernetes, REST/GraphQL APIs, and modern BI tools.

Solid understanding of microservices, DDD, CI/CD pipelines, observability, and DevOps frameworks.

Leadership Competencies:

Strategic and hands-on leader capable of managing distributed teams and balancing innovation with delivery.

Strong collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business impact.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience leading platform or product engineering for retail media planning, measurement, or campaign optimization tools.

Familiarity with audience targeting, programmatic advertising, campaign booking systems, and media lifecycle management.

Exposure to GDPR, CCPA, and retail data governance standards.

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field 

What we expect from you

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Certified Agile Product Owner
• Product management experience across the product lifecycle
• Strong communicator who can work with commercial and technical teams
• Experience of running scrum teams

What you can expect from us

We won't just meet your expectations. We'll defy them. So you'll enjoy the comprehensive rewards package you'd expect from a leading technology company. But also, a degree of personal flexibility you might not expect.  Plus, thoughtful perks, like flexible working hours and your birthday off.

You'll also benefit from an investment in cutting-edge technology that reflects our global ambition. But with a nimble, small-business feel that gives you the freedom to play, experiment and learn.

And we don't just talk about diversity and inclusion. We live it every day – with thriving networks including dh Gender Equality Network, dh Proud, dh Family, dh One, dh Enabled and dh Thrive as the living proof.  We want everyone to have the opportunity to shine and perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. Please let us know how we can make this process work best for you. 

Our approach to Flexible Working

At dunnhumby, we value and respect difference and are committed to building an inclusive culture by creating an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work.

We believe that you will do your best at work if you have a work / life balance. Some roles lend themselves to flexible options more than others, so if this is important to you please raise this with your recruiter, as we are open to discussing agile working opportunities during the hiring process.

For further information about how we collect and use your personal information please see our Privacy Notice which can be found (here)

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