Director, Client Software Development Services

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Canada.

📋 Description

• Lead, develop, and enhance the Software Development practice at VC3, focusing on capability, capacity, and commercial performance.

• Collaborate with Sales and Client Strategy to strengthen existing client relationships, attract new clients, and create opportunities for the practice.

• Manage scoping, estimation, statements of work, and the delivery of commercial software development client projects.

• Define and refine the service offerings, pricing strategies, and delivery methodologies of the practice.

• Oversee the entire P&L for the business unit, with direct responsibility for gross margin performance across all client engagements.

• Transition the team from traditional software development to an AI-first, code-generation-driven approach utilizing tools like Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and agentic development workflows.

• Enhance the skills of existing engineers through coaching, pairing, and structured training.

• Establish guidelines for AI-assisted development, including code review standards, evaluation frameworks for AI-generated outputs, security scanning, and human-in-the-loop reviews.

• Create and maintain the practice's AI-first engineering playbook.

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of team capabilities within the first 30 days and devise a talent plan that includes development pathways and role transitions as necessary to ensure team success.

• Build and lead a high-performing, AI-first Software Development team, focusing on hiring, mentoring, performance management, and capacity planning.

• Drive team billable utilization to achieve defined targets.

• Manage the technical roadmap and delivery for client web and software projects across modern web (React, Next.js) and cross-platform technologies.

• Set architecture, tooling, and quality standards within the practice; maintain enough hands-on involvement to lend credibility in design reviews and pull requests.

• Act as the senior technical representative in client discussions, from discovery and pre-sales through delivery and account expansion.

• Collaborate with Marketing, Customer Success, and other VC3 practice leaders to synchronize on delivery, speed, and product development.

• Work closely with the Lead of the AI and Data practice to: 1) Convert software developed through client engagements into commercial offerings as part of the VC3 Managed AI Offering, 2) Establish the AI Council agenda, 3) Standardize AI best practices.

• Educate internal teams (Automation and Tools Teams, AI POD) on new or updated development practices to ensure alignment.

• Achieve measurable improvements in delivery throughput, chargeable utilization, and engagement margins across client projects.

• Maintain client satisfaction scores across active engagements, with direct responsibility for resolving escalations and ensuring client retention.

• Develop a clear plan and demonstrate early progress on practice growth, pipeline development, new client acquisitions, and/or expanded scopes with existing clients.

• Ensure the team confidently delivers AI-generated and AI-reviewed code as standard practice, supported by a documented engineering playbook.

• Showcase visible modernization progress on the EdTech product, with a credible roadmap leading to an AI-native offering.

• Foster an upskilled, motivated team operating under modernized rituals and tools.

⛳️ Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience leading Software Development teams and a minimum of 8 years in software development.

• Proven track record in growing software delivery services with external clients, focusing on delivery, capability, and commercial performance.

• Experience in AI and Software Development Services, with a demonstrated history of building and scaling an Application Development or Software practice within a services organization.

• Hands-on AI-first practitioner with personal experience in shipping production work using tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, and agentic workflows.

• A history of successfully transitioning traditional engineering teams to code-generation-driven practices.

• Proficient in full stack development, including database, API, and data integration.

• Sales experience or strong pre-sales acumen, including scoping, statements of work, client pitches, and account growth.

• Experience in evolving an existing product into a more AI-native offering.

• Knowledge of P&L, utilization, and capacity planning within an AI and Software Development Services context.

🏝️ Benefits

• **Well-being & Support** - We prioritize the well-being of our team beyond work hours. Our benefits range from mental health and leave support through our Employee and Family Assistance Program to financial wellness via company-matched 401(k)/RRSP plans. Whether addressing immediate needs or future aspirations, we have you covered.

• **Grow with Us** - Whether you’re at the beginning of your career or looking to advance, we are dedicated to fostering your growth. We provide structured development through our Leadership Academy, monthly learning sessions, mentorship opportunities, learning reimbursements, internal career fairs, job shadowing, and tailored career-pathing to facilitate internal mobility.

• **People-First Culture** - We embody our values, support one another, and cultivate an inclusive environment. We share a common goal of performing meaningful work, with autonomy, recognition, and a mission to support those who serve.

• **Transparent Leadership** - With open communication and clear company objectives, our leaders remain engaged, and our managers are committed to supporting your growth at every stage.

• The applicant selected will undergo criminal and department of motor vehicles background checks and must meet Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) requirements after employment.

• Thank you for considering a career with VC3. We appreciate all applications; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

• To learn more about VC3, please visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated!