Head of Technology

Sanctuary Computer, a distinctive technology firm known for fostering collaboration, prioritising quality, and delivering inventive solutions, is seeking a Head of Technology to spearhead engineering efforts within both Sanctuary Computer and its creative collective, garden3d. This pivotal role emerges at a time of significant technological advancement, particularly in the burgeoning field of agentic computer code. The successful candidate will be instrumental in shaping the future of software development for a varied clientele, which includes notable organisations such as Google and The Nobel Prize.

The Role and Its Responsibilities

As Head of Technology, you will operate at the nexus of creative and technical excellence. This position demands a strategic vision for engineering across all facets of the garden3d verticals, working closely with studio leads, developers, designers, project managers, and clients. A core aspect of your mandate will be to establish and maintain robust technical blueprints for key projects, ensuring the underlying systems are both reliable and scalable.

Your leadership will be crucial in embracing and advancing agentic development practices, aiming to make software development processes more dependable and innovative. The role champions a philosophy of practical engineering, emphasising simplicity and the delivery of solutions that are easily understood and managed by clients. A significant part of your responsibility will involve setting and upholding rigorous coding standards to ensure the highest level of code quality across all projects. Furthermore, you will be tasked with identifying, attracting, and nurturing exceptional engineering talent, building and leading a high-performing team.

You will also play a critical role in project lifecycle management, from initial estimation and scoping through to successful delivery, ensuring that projects consistently meet timelines and quality benchmarks. As the primary technical voice in new business initiatives, you will advise prospective clients on project feasibility, technological approaches, and proposal development. A comprehensive understanding of hardware, alongside software, is essential, particularly for projects that integrate both. Beyond technical acumen, you will be expected to embody and promote garden3d's core values of curiosity, accountability, and partnership.

What They're Looking For

Sanctuary Computer is seeking an individual with a substantial background in software development, possessing at least 12 years of experience in building software, with a minimum of three of those years spent in a leadership capacity. Proven experience in engineering complex systems designed for production environments is a prerequisite.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate fluency across a broad spectrum of technological domains, including frontend, backend, data engineering, infrastructure, and native application development. A strong preference exists for candidates who champion practical engineering approaches and the utilisation of efficient technologies. Proficiency in agentic development practices is highly desirable.

Crucially, this role requires hands-on coding skills, indicating a continued engagement with the practical aspects of development. A solid grasp of contemporary technology stacks is expected, enabling informed decision-making and effective technical guidance.

This is an opportunity for a seasoned technology leader to make a significant impact within a forward-thinking organisation. The role offers the chance to shape technical strategy, foster innovation, and lead a talented team in delivering cutting-edge solutions for a diverse and prestigious client base.

In South Africa, a Head of Technology role typically commands a competitive salary, reflecting the strategic importance and leadership demands. Organisations that hire for such positions range from established tech companies and large corporations with significant in-house IT departments to innovative startups and consultancies. The career trajectory often involves moving from senior technical leadership into more executive-level technology strategy or general management roles.

• 12+ years of software building experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience engineering complex systems for production.
• Fluency with frontend, backend, data, infrastructure, and native technologies.
• Strong preference for practical engineering and efficient technologies.
• Proficiency in agentic development practices.
• Hands-on coding skills and a solid understanding of contemporary technology stacks.