Cape Town: Lead Developer (Hands-On) (Head of Technology) Cape Town (Hybrid: 3 days in office – Woodstock, 2 days remote) posted by DataFin Recruitment

February 9, 2026 Jobs in Cape Peninsula

DataFin Recruitment

Western Cape

Online and Digital Media

Job Description

ENVIRONMENT

Our client is a well-established digital agency working with world-class luxury travel and hospitality brands. After years of rapid growth and innovation, they are entering a phase where execution, stability, and delivery excellence are the priority.

They are seeking a hands-on Head of Technology / Developer Team Lead, someone who is technically strong, people-focused, and calm under pressure. This role is not about being distant or purely strategic. Its about leading from the front, owning delivery, and building a stable, high-performing engineering function in a fast-paced agency environment.

This is a Cape Townbased hybrid role (3 days in office, 2 days remote) and is suited to someone who enjoys agency velocity, cares deeply about quality, and knows how to lead without ego.

THE ROLE

You will act as the technical anchor and team lead for a group of Full Stack Developers, owning both technical delivery and people leadership.

This role has historically been difficult to fill, not because of culture, but because it requires a rare balance of:

Strong technical capability
Emotional intelligence
Calm, credible leadership
Comfort with agency pace and accountability

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Hands-On Technical Leadership

Remain close to the code and delivery, providing technical direction and unblockers
Lead and mentor Full Stack Developers while maintaining technical fluency
Set and uphold standards for code quality, architecture, security, and reliability
Guide development across web platforms, CMS builds, APIs, and infrastructure
Own production stability and technical outcomes across client and internal platforms

Delivery, Infrastructure & Reliability

Oversee hosting environments, deployments, CI/CD pipelines, and monitoring
Ensure security best practices, backups, documentation, and incident readiness
Reduce operational risk through systems, validation, and preventative improvements
Lead infrastructure upgrades and platform evolution pragmatically (no rebuild-for-ego)

Architecture & Platform Ownership

Guide architectural decisions with a focus on maintainability, performance, and scale
Manage technical debt sensibly while keeping delivery moving
Partner with leadership on internal platforms and proprietary tooling (Next.js-based)
Balance short-term agency delivery with long-term platform health

People & Culture Leadership

Build a calm, accountable, execution-focused tech culture
Mentor developers and help them grow without micromanaging
Encourage autonomy while maintaining high standards
Collaborate closely with Marketing, Client Experience, Ops, and Leadership
Lead with credibility, emotional intelligence, and trust

View Job Cape Town: STAGER posted by KERSTON FOODS CC

Commercial & Leadership Contribution

Act as the senior technical voice in leadership discussions
Support accurate scoping, estimation, and delivery planning
Protect margins through sound technical decisions and realistic timelines
Partner closely with the CEO on technology direction and resourcing

REQUIREMENTS

Essential

8+ years experience in full-stack web development, with deep hands-on experience in JavaScript / Next.js, CMS platforms (WordPress, Payload), REST APIs, and cloud infrastructure, this is not a people-only leadership role.
Proven experience leading developers in a delivery-focused environment
Strong JavaScript foundations (Next.js or similar)
Experience with CMS-driven and custom web platforms (WordPress, Payload, etc.)
Solid understanding of APIs, CI/CD, version control, and cloud environments
Strong grasp of security, reliability, and operational risk
Experience in agency, SaaS, or high-output delivery environments
Based in Cape Town and open to hybrid work (3 days in office)

Nice to Have

Experience with DigitalOcean or similar cloud providers
Exposure to performance optimisation, CRO, and SEO from a technical perspective
Experience contributing to internal platforms or proprietary products
Familiarity with headless CMS and API-first architectures
Experience inheriting and stabilising existing systems rather than rebuilding

ATTRIBUTES (IMPORTANT)

A hands-on technical leader, not a distant manager
Calm, grounded, and confident, no ego, no insecurity
People-focused with strong EQ and ethical leadership
Comfortable owning imperfect systems and improving them steadily
Thrives in fast-moving agency environments
Commercially aware and understands the impact of tech decisions
Motivated by execution, stability, and team success, not novelty

How to Apply

Click the green “Go Apply” button below to apply directly online with the employer.

About Online and Digital Media Jobs in Western Cape

The online and digital media industry is a rapidly growing field in the Western Cape, with a strong demand for skilled professionals to drive innovation and success. Typically, careers in this sector require a unique blend of technical expertise, creative flair, and business acumen. Generally, individuals working in online and digital media roles are found across various industries, including technology, financial services, and manufacturing.

Salary expectations for online and digital media professionals in the Western Cape can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, company size, and industry sector. Typically, entry-level positions may start within a broad range of R200 000 to R400 000 per annum, while senior roles can command salaries upwards of R800 000 to R1,2 million or more. However, it is essential to note that these figures are only a rough guide and actual salaries may differ significantly depending on individual circumstances.

View Job Cape Town: Head of Dialer & Data Management posted by CallForce

Common skills required for online and digital media roles include proficiency in content management systems (CMS), graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite, programming languages like HTML/CSS and JavaScript, experience with social media platforms, video editing software, and knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) principles. Other essential skills often include data analysis, project management, and communication skills.

The online and digital media industry is diverse and employs professionals across various sectors, including the technology industry, where companies like Google and Microsoft have a significant presence. Financial services firms also rely on online and digital media specialists to enhance their brand presence and customer engagement. Additionally, the manufacturing sector is increasingly leveraging digital platforms to reach customers and promote products.

Career development opportunities in the online and digital media field are plentiful, with many professionals advancing into senior roles or transitioning into related fields such as marketing, sales, or entrepreneurship. Typically, ongoing education and training are necessary to stay up-to-date with industry trends and technological advancements.

This information provides general career guidance. Actual salaries and requirements vary by employer.

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