Head of Products and Engineering

Position Overview: 

As the Head of Products and Engineering, you will be a pivotal member of my leadership team, driving the technological engine of PwC Africa's digital transformation. This is a unique opportunity to lead both the creation of innovative, next-generation products and the management of our extensive application ecosystem. 

You will be responsible for building and scaling our internal product capabilities—from cutting-edge Generative AI and automation solutions to sophisticated data products and cloud-native applications. Simultaneously, you will ensure operational excellence across our portfolio of vendor-supplied and globally-provided applications, guaranteeing seamless service delivery to our business. 

This strategic role requires a leader who is both a visionary technologist and a pragmatic operator, capable of inspiring high-performing teams and translating complex business needs into tangible, value-driven technology solutions. 

Culture Vision Statement: 

Our Africa Tech team is a dynamic community of self-starters and innovators who embrace change and the constant evolution of technology. We are committed to driving an environment where curiosity thrives and creativity is celebrated. By leveraging AI-assisted tools and respecting diverse perspectives, we drive collaborative success while enhancing our collective knowledge and skills. We believe in the power of technology to transform and improve our processes, always seeking to challenge the status quo. Together, we work with urgency and empathy, united in our mission to create impactful solutions that benefit our firm and our clients. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic & Technology Leadership  

• Define and execute the product and engineering vision, strategy, and roadmap in alignment with PwC Africa's overall business objectives. 

• Act as the primary technology leader for product development and application management, championing innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies like GenAI, Agentic AI, and modern data platforms. 

• Oversee the entire Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), embedding best practices for quality, security, and velocity across all development initiatives. 

• Manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and strategic vendor relationships to maximize ROI and operational efficiency. 

Product Development & Engineering 

• Lead the Product Development team in the end-to-end creation of internal software solutions, including: 

• Cloud-native applications on Azure (CaaS, PaaS). 

• Low-code solutions using Power Apps and Power Automate. 

• Intelligent automation and AI products leveraging Azure, Google and AWS AI, LLMs, and RAG patterns. 

• Data products for our Data Mesh architecture using Databricks and Microsoft Fabric. 

• Create a culture of engineering excellence, championing modern development frameworks (Angular, Next.js, Node.js, Python) and CI/CD practices. 

Product Service & Application Management 

• Lead the Product Service Management team to ensure the stability, performance, and reliability of our application portfolio. 

• Oversee the management of SaaS applications, custom off-the-shelf software, and internal applications provided by the global PwC network. 

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with technology vendors, driving performance and value. 

• Adhere ITIL-based service management processes to deliver exceptional support and stakeholder satisfaction. 

The Ideal Candidate Profile 

Essential Experience & Skills: 

5 to 10 years in product engineering, 5+ years leading multi-disciplinary teams 

BSC CompSci (or equivalent), MBA or product leadership certifications, or equivalent work experience. 

Proven Leadership: Extensive experience in a senior technology leadership role (e.g., Head of Engineering, Director of Product) with a demonstrable track record of leading and scaling both development and product service management teams. 

Deep Product Knowledge: Deep understanding of modern product management principles, including Agile and Scrum methodologies, business analysis, and quality assurance. You are an expert in translating business vision into a product roadmap. 

Strong Engineering Acumen: A deep, hands-on understanding of modern software development and architecture. 

Technical Expertise: 

You must be fluent in the concepts and practical applications of the following technologies: 

• Artificial Intelligence: Generative AI, LLMs, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Agentic AI patterns, and platforms like Azure AI Foundry. 

• Cloud & Development: Azure (PaaS, CaaS), Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse), and development frameworks such as Angular, Next.js, Node.js, and Python. 

• Data Technologies: Modern data platforms like Databricks and Microsoft Fabric, with knowledge of SQL, ETL processes, and Data Mesh principles. 

Leadership Qualities: 

Strategic Thinker: Ability to see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and build a forward-looking technology strategy. Embodies agency and urgency in their approach to solving problems. 

Exceptional Communicator: Can articulate a complex technical vision to non-technical stakeholders and inspire and motivate technical teams. 

Collaborative Partner: Skilled at building strong relationships across the business, a true partner to other functions. 

Inspirational Leader: A passion for mentoring and developing talent, instilling a culture of innovation, ownership, and continuous learning. Leads with empathy and compassion. 

If you are a visionary technology leader ready to make a significant impact at the heart of one of the world's leading professional services firms, I encourage you to apply. 

Conclusion 

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. As we navigate an increasingly complex world, we are dedicated to ensuring that the systems on which communities and economies depend can adapt and thrive. Each role within our organisation contributes to this mission, reinforcing our commitment to high ethical standards and the importance of trust. 

Our five core values guide our actions and define who we are. They emphasize building trust through professionalism, ethical behaviour, and a commitment to quality in all our interactions, whether with clients, colleagues, or the broader community. We respect privacy and confidentiality, and we strive for transparency in our operations, demonstrating care and integrity in our relationships. 

As part of our human-led, tech-powered approach, we empower our people through technology and create an environment where speaking up is encouraged, and diverse perspectives are celebrated. By embodying these principles in our daily work, we can collectively drive impactful outcomes that resonate with our clients and society as a whole. Together, let's embrace our purpose and values to create meaningful change.