Engineering Lead, Data & Technology (General Manager)

The role

You will lead engineering strategy, architecture, quality and delivery for AI, data and marketing technology platforms in China. The role leads a multidisciplinary engineering team and adapts global capabilities to China's cloud, data, media, AI model and regulatory environment.

What you will do

• Lead the engineering strategy, architecture and delivery roadmap for AI, data, media and marketing technology in China.
• Build and lead multidisciplinary teams across backend, frontend, AI, data, platform, architecture and quality engineering.
• Establish engineering standards for architecture, code quality, testing, security, documentation, performance and operational readiness.
• Lead the development of integrated platforms connecting briefing, insights, strategy, audiences, content, media, commerce, optimisation and measurement.
• Develop reusable APIs, services, AI agents, orchestration frameworks and enterprise integrations.
• Lead the integration of local and global AI models across text, image, video, audio, reasoning and multimodal applications.
• Enable secure integration with client systems and first-, second- and third-party data sources.
• Adapt global technology for China-specific cloud, media platforms, data sources, identity environments and regulatory requirements.
• Lead architecture reviews, technical governance, delivery planning, vendor management and production readiness.
• Work closely with global and China product, engineering, data, media, strategy and client teams.

Required qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in software engineering, platform development, technology or a related field.
• Significant experience leading engineering teams and delivering enterprise-grade platforms.
• Strong experience across software architecture, cloud platforms, APIs, distributed systems, data platforms and DevOps.
• Practical experience with AI, machine learning, generative AI, agentic systems or retrieval-based applications.
• Strong understanding of model integration, orchestration, evaluation, monitoring and AI risk controls.
• Experience building products that combine workflow, data, analytics, automation and enterprise integration.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills and the ability to work across global and local teams.
• Ability to communicate complex technical decisions clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Bachelor's degree or above in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Data Science, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice to have

• Experience in media, advertising, marketing technology, commerce or customer data.
• Experience operating within China's digital, cloud, data and regulatory environment.
• A master's degree or equivalent advanced qualification.
• Fluent Mandarin and strong professional English.

Before you apply

• Equivalent practical experience will also be considered in place of a degree.

About the company

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. It is connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence.