[Hiring] Head of Development and Solutions - Shopify Specialist @Avex Designs

Role Description

The Head of Development & Solutions — Shopify Specialist is a senior technical leader who combines deep Shopify expertise with strategic thinking and hands-on execution. This role sits at the intersection of architecture, delivery, and client engagement, responsible for ensuring our e-commerce solutions are technically exceptional, scalable, and directly aligned with client business objectives.

This is not a purely managerial role. The ideal candidate thrives when moving between high-level architectural decisions and the technical nuances of Shopify platform implementation. They are equally comfortable presenting solutions to clients, mentoring developers, and reviewing code or API integrations.

Role & Responsibilities

• Shopify Platform Leadership
  • Own the technical standards, architecture patterns, and best practices for all Shopify builds across the agency.
  • Stay ahead of Shopify platform releases, new APIs, and ecosystem trends, translating them into actionable improvements for the team and clients.
  • Serve as the ultimate technical authority on complex Shopify challenges including custom theme development, Liquid templating, Hydrogen/Headless implementations, and advanced API integrations.
• Solutions Architecture & Pre-Sales
  • Partner with Client Services and Account teams during pre-sales to assess technical feasibility, scope solutions, and contribute to proposals and estimates.
  • Design and document technical architectures for complex projects, including platform migrations, third-party integrations, and multi-system data flows.
  • Translate business requirements into clear, implementable technical solutions that balance ambition with practical delivery.
• Platform Migration Management
  • Lead end-to-end replatforming projects, specifically migrating clients from enterprise platforms (e.g., Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Magento, BigCommerce) to Shopify or Shopify Plus.
  • Oversee data migration strategy, including product, customer, order, and content data, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and minimal disruption to client operations.
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams to identify dependencies, mitigate risks, and maintain smooth client communication throughout transitions.
• Technical Oversight & Quality
  • Oversee all development projects, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and meet both client expectations and agency standards.
  • Lead architectural decisions and provide guidance on complex problem-solving, including custom app development, Shopify integrations, and API connections.
  • Establish and maintain standards for coding, testing, deployment, and documentation across all technical projects.
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead, mentor, and support the development team, fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  • Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide growth opportunities for team members, including training and professional development.
  • Work closely with HR to recruit top technical talent, ensuring alignment with agency values and technical standards.
• Cross-functional Collaboration
  • Collaborate closely with Project Managers, Designers, and Strategists to ensure seamless project execution and timely delivery.
  • Partner with Account Managers and Client Services teams to communicate technical concepts clearly, aligning solutions with client business goals.
  • Participate in high-level client meetings as the senior technical representative, helping translate complex technical concepts into understandable language.
• Process & Workflow Optimization
  • Establish and refine development processes to improve efficiency, quality, and client satisfaction.
  • Implement and uphold best practices in QA, security, data protection, and regulatory compliance across all projects.
  • Drive innovation by exploring emerging technologies and tools that enhance our Shopify capabilities and service offering.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience with the Shopify platform, including Shopify Plus, with deep knowledge of Liquid templating, theme customization, and API integrations.
• Proven experience architecting and leading large-scale e-commerce replatforming projects, particularly from enterprise platforms such as Magento, Salesforce, or BigCommerce to Shopify.
• Strong understanding of frontend and backend technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript frameworks, and REST/GraphQL APIs.
• Demonstrated experience with Shopify’s ecosystem: custom apps, Shopify Functions, Hydrogen/Oxygen (headless), and third-party integrations.
• Solid understanding of data structure, mapping, and migration challenges, with a focus on minimizing data loss and maintaining workflow integrity.
• Familiarity with project management principles and Agile methodologies, including resource allocation, budgeting, and timeline management.
• Excellent communication skills — able to engage confidently with clients, translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, and collaborate across departments.
• Ability to think strategically, aligning technical decisions with client business objectives and long-term growth.

Benefits

• Unlimited PTO
• Remote or flexible working
• Valued work-life balance
• Rewards based on accomplishments and contributions
• Efforts to monitor and prevent burnout
• Respectful treatment of team members
• High standards and competitive environment
• Prioritization of people over profits
• Donation of a percentage of revenue to No Kid Hungry

Compensation and Benefits

• 401K with company matching
• Remote (Optional / Hybrid)
• Untracked PTO and sick days
• Paid holidays
• At home WiFi monthly stipend
• Aetna Healthcare, Dental, Vision
• Wellness Reimbursement