Head of Engineering (Technology)

Head Of EngineeringAktivate, a Series A startup revolutionizing sports management and team fundraising for 1MM+ kids / 3,000+ public schools / 7 of the top 10 largest school districts in the country, is seeking an experienced Head of Engineering to lead our technology function as a solo leader. This role reports directly to the CEO and will oversee all technology operations, providing critical data-driven insights to support our product & sales-driven strategy.As a key member of the leadership team, you will facilitate strategic direction and implementation of cutting-edge software solutions, analytics, and AI expansion. You will be involved in every aspect of the product development process, from brainstorming, ideation to production launch and on-going expansion of our products. You will play a pivotal role in shaping our data-driven decision-making processes and advancing our technology capabilities across mobile, web and data.If you are a strategic thinker, innovative problem solver, and a leader passionate about leveraging data to drive business success, we invite you to apply for this challenging and rewarding role.Key ResponsibilitiesBuild, lead, and inspire a high-performing team of software and data engineers, quality assurance analysts and delivery managers.Accountable for execution of roadmaps across multiple product groups and agile teams.Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.Oversee the design and implementation of scalable and robust architectures aligned to deliver business outcomes and objectives.Ensure effective data governance, quality, and security standards are maintained.Drive the development and deployment of algorithms, design patterns, performance monitoring and devops.Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in AI.Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product, program, and business units, to understand requirements that meet business needs.Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.Provide direction for prioritization and resource allocation.Build and model a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and innovation.QualificationsBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.7+ years of experience in software development across web, mobile applications, APIs, and back-end systems, with hands-on use of modern technologies and AI.5+ years working in startup or small team environments, demonstrating ability to operate effectively with limited resources.4+ years of experience managing and scaling offshore engineering teams.5+ years of experience delivering B2B, B2C, and SaaS solutions, with a focus on customer service and highly transactional systems.3+ years leading agile teams with a strong customer-first mindset.Proficient in PHP, React, React Native, RESTful APIs, MySQL or PostgreSQL, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).Strong business acumen with the ability to align technical solutions with strategic objectives.Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.Track record of building and leading high-performing engineering teams.Sports fan is a PLUSCompensationBase salary range of $160,000 - $180,000 plus bonus (dependent on location and experience).Equity participation commensurate with experience, allowing for upside in the company's success.A competitive benefits package including health insurance, paid time off, and other perks typical of a venture-backed startup (to be discussed in the interview process).About Aktivate:Aktivate is a fast growing Series A startup with a mission to help kids live winning lives. Aktivate is transforming how scholastic sports are managed and funded. We serve 1MM+ kids, 50K+ coaches, 3K+ schools and 7 of the 10 largest districts in the country. We foster a culture of innovation and "resilient positivity," where every team member has an ownership mentality and is committed to relentless execution and systematic improvement.