Development Tech Lead (API Governance & Lifecycle Management), Johannesburg

We are a leading tech consulting company seeking an experienced Development Tech Lead with strong expertise in API Lifecycle Management and Governance for an initial 3?month contract.

This is a high-impact role supporting the implementation and oversight of governance frameworks within a large-scale enterprise API programme, working across multiple operating companies.

About the Role

You will play a critical role in ensuring standardisation, compliance, and maturity across the full API lifecycle. As a Development Tech Lead, you will provide technical leadership while acting as a bridge between technical and business teams, driving consistency, identifying gaps, and supporting continuous improvement across distributed environments.

This role requires a strong combination of hands-on API expertise, governance leadership, and technical oversight.

Key Responsibilities

API Governance & Standards

• Ensure adherence to enterprise API governance frameworks, standards, and best practices
• Monitor compliance across the full API lifecycle
• Support the rollout and refinement of policies, standards, and guidelines

API Lifecycle Oversight

• Govern end-to-end API lifecycle processes including design, development, testing, deployment, monitoring, and retirement
• Provide technical guidance across API design and implementation
• Ensure consistent lifecycle practices across multiple OpCos
• Collaborate with API platform teams (Apigee, MuleSoft, Azure API Management, etc.)

Technical Leadership

• Act as the technical lead for API governance and lifecycle best practices
• Guide development teams on API design standards, integration patterns, and governance requirements
• Support alignment between architecture, development, and governance frameworks

Gap Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Assess current practices and identify gaps, risks, and inconsistencies
• Document findings and drive remediation plans through to closure
• Recommend and implement improvements to governance and processes

Operating Model Alignment

• Support implementation of API operating models (centralised, federated, hybrid)
• Ensure clarity in roles, responsibilities, and accountability
• Align governance structures with business and technical operating models

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a liaison between business and technical teams
• Facilitate governance forums, workshops, and decision-making sessions

Reporting & Risk Management

• Maintain governance documentation, standards, and reporting artefacts
• Track compliance, maturity, risks, and adoption metrics
• Support audit activities and ensure alignment with security and regulatory requirements

What We're Looking For

• Strong experience as a Tech Lead with API and governance exposure
• Proven experience in IT Governance and API Lifecycle Management
• Deep understanding of API lifecycle stages and API-first strategies
• Experience with API platforms (e.g. MuleSoft, Apigee, Azure API Management, Kong)
• Solid knowledge of REST APIs, microservices, and integration patterns
• Experience with governance frameworks (e.g. ITIL, COBIT, TOGAF advantageous)
• Proven ability to conduct gap analyses and drive remediation plans
• Strong stakeholder management across multiple business units (OpCos exposure beneficial)
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and documentation skills
• Analytical, structured thinker with strong attention to detail

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Degree in IT, Computer Science, or related field
• Certifications in API Management, TOGAF, ITIL, or COBIT
• Agile / SAFe experience (advantageous)
• Experience in multi-entity or multi-country environments

Role Details

• ? Contract: Initial 3 months
• ? Location: South Africa
• ? Environment: Enterprise, multi-OpCo programme

If you're passionate about API leadership, governance, and driving technical standards at scale, we'd love to hear from you.