AEM - UI EDS - Technical Lead / Frontend development Lead

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: AEM - UI EDS - Technical Lead / Frontend Development Lead

Company: VML

Location: Noida, India

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Technology / Frontend Development Leadership / Enterprise Solutions

Date Posted: 2026-08-18

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the technical vision and execution for customer web platforms, leveraging Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) and cutting-edge frontend technologies.

• Drive end-to-end project delivery, from scope definition and timeline management to technical solutioning and team mentorship within a consulting-focused professional services environment.

• Serve as a key client-facing liaison, managing expectations, facilitating workshops, and ensuring adoption of best practices in frontend development and CMS implementation.

• Champion a collaborative and inclusive team environment, fostering trust and driving high-quality, human-first digital experiences for global clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within VML's Enterprise Solutions division, indicating a focus on large-scale digital transformations and complex client engagements. The "UI EDS" in the title likely refers to User Interface / Experience Design Systems, emphasizing the importance of standardized, reusable components and a strong design-to-development workflow. The role demands a blend of technical leadership, client consulting, and team management, with a strong emphasis on frontend architecture and CMS integration.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct discovery sessions to thoroughly understand client business priorities and specific authoring experience requirements within CMS environments, particularly AEM.

• Lead collaborative workshops involving creative, content, and development teams to define template/component requirements, establish governance strategies, and align on development vs. authoring tasks.

• Manage client relationships by clearly communicating scope, agreeing on timelines, identifying and managing dependencies, and proactively addressing client expectations.

• Translate complex business requirements into robust, scalable technical solutions, ensuring alignment with client objectives and VML's service offerings.

• Facilitate and lead story/task grooming sessions, meticulously evaluating dependencies and prerequisites to ensure efficient sprint planning and execution within Agile frameworks.

• Lead estimation and solutioning efforts during "greening" sessions, providing accurate effort assessments and technical approaches for project tasks.

• Design, develop, and maintain highly reusable, performant, and accessible JavaScript, HTML, and CSS code, adhering to modern frontend best practices.

• Conduct thorough code reviews (PRs), manage overall development quality, and mentor junior developers on technical skills, best practices, and adherence to coding standards.

• Provide ongoing platform usage guidance and support to client content teams, ensuring they can effectively leverage the CMS for content management and publishing.

• Lead and manage feature/product demonstrations for clients, effectively showcasing technical capabilities and value propositions.

• Facilitate post-project retrospective workshops, capturing and escalating actionable recommendations for continuous process improvement.

• Collaborate with the Sales team on Go-To-Market (GTM) service offerings, contributing technical expertise to pre-sales inquiries and proposals.

• Act as a conduit for customer feedback, coordinating insights with internal product and development teams to inform future enhancements and strategies.

• Research emerging trends in design and frontend technologies to continuously improve design and frontend workflows, ensuring VML remains at the forefront of digital innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on the consulting aspect of the role, requiring the Technical Lead to act as a trusted advisor to clients. The involvement in GTM and pre-sales indicates a strategic contribution beyond project delivery, influencing business development and service offering refinement. The focus on AEM and frontend development within a CMS context is critical.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in frontend development, with a significant portion in technical leadership roles.

• Proven track record of designing, building, and delivering complex web platforms and customer-facing digital experiences.

• Demonstrated experience in process optimization, workflow design, and implementing best practices within development teams. Required Skills:

• Expertise in frontend development, particularly within the JAMstack architecture.

• In-depth knowledge of HTML5, CSS3 (including preprocessors like Less or Sass), and strong understanding of methodologies like BEM.

• Strong proficiency in JavaScript (including ES6+), DOM manipulation, and the JavaScript object model.

• Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS), with functional knowledge of template editors and content author roles.

• Expertise in responsive design and mobile application design principles.

• Deep understanding of core web vitals, web performance optimization techniques, and best practices.

• Experience with code versioning tools, such as Git.

• Familiarity with modern front-end build pipelines and tools (e.g., Babel, Webpack, NPM).

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to relate day-to-day technical details to broader business objectives.

• Demonstrated experience in Agile methodologies and working within globally dispersed scrum teams.

• Proven ability to lead and mentor a team of developers, manage code quality, and ensure adherence to development standards.

• Excellent client-facing communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with Atomic Design paradigms.

• Expertise in Design Systems, Style Guides, and Pattern Libraries.

• Familiarity with RESTful and GraphQL APIs.

• Understanding of Micro Frontend concepts and Headless CMS implementations.

• Knowledge of Web Accessibility (WCAG) guidelines.

• Understanding of information architecture and content structuring.

• Familiarity with design tools such as Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma.

• Experience in collaborating with Communications, Marketing teams, or Design Agencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on JAMstack, AEM (implied through the job title and context), and design systems points towards a modern, component-driven frontend development approach. The requirement for 10+ years of experience signifies a senior leadership role, expected to contribute strategically and mentor effectively.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate successful leadership in the end-to-end delivery of complex web platforms, showcasing project scope, timeline management, and technical solutioning.

• Provide examples of how you have translated business requirements into effective technical solutions, highlighting process improvements and efficiency gains.

• Showcase experience with CMS implementation and frontend development, particularly in creating reusable components, design systems, or pattern libraries.

• Include case studies that illustrate your ability to manage client expectations, facilitate workshops, and mentor development teams. Process Documentation:

• Documented workflows for Agile development processes, including story grooming, estimation, and retrospective analysis.

• Examples of governance strategies developed for development and authoring tasks within a CMS context.

• Evidence of process improvement initiatives undertaken, detailing the problem, solution, and measurable impact on efficiency or quality.

• Demonstrations of how you ensure adherence to software development standards, quality assurance, and standards governance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to present tangible examples of their leadership in frontend development projects, focusing on the processes they implemented and the outcomes achieved. A strong portfolio will highlight their ability to bridge the gap between technical execution and client business objectives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the 10+ years of experience requirement, the Technical Lead position in Noida, India, is estimated to fall within the range of ₹18,00,000 to ₹35,00,000 per annum. This range accounts for the seniority of the role, the technical expertise required (AEM, advanced frontend development), and leadership responsibilities within a global agency environment. Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellness programs.

• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development, including training and certifications.

• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and diverse global client projects.

• Hybrid work model, offering flexibility with an average of four days in the office.

• A culture that values empathy, curiosity, and courage, fostering personal and professional growth.

• Employee Assistance Programs and other supportive benefits. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. However, the hybrid work arrangement allows for some flexibility. Adherence to project timelines and client needs may require occasional work outside of standard hours, particularly during critical project phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior technical leadership roles in India, considering the specialized skills in AEM and frontend development, coupled with the consulting and leadership demands. The benefits reflect a typical offering for a global agency, emphasizing career growth and work-life balance.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Marketing and Advertising Technology, Digital Experience, Commerce Solutions. VML operates at the intersection of creativity, technology, and data to drive growth for global brands.

Company Size: VML is part of WPP, a global network of over 26,000 employees across 55+ markets, indicating a large, established organization with diverse capabilities. The Enterprise Solutions division itself likely comprises several hundred experts globally.

Founded: VML was formed through the merger of Wunderman and Y&R, bringing together extensive experience and a rich heritage in marketing and advertising. The company emphasizes a "human-first" approach.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of the India professional services team, specifically within the Enterprise Solutions division. This division houses strategic consultants, technical architects, developers, and operators focused on delivering digital experiences and commerce solutions.

• The Technical Lead will likely report to a Director or Senior Manager within Enterprise Solutions and will lead a team of frontend developers.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core aspect, involving close interaction with creative teams, content strategists, project managers, sales, and client stakeholders. Methodology:

• VML emphasizes a data-driven approach to client solutions, leveraging insights to inform strategy and execution.

• Workflow planning and optimization are crucial, particularly within the Agile framework, to ensure efficient project delivery and continuous improvement.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated into development processes to enhance productivity and quality.

Company Website: https://www.vml.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: VML's positioning as a "creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce" suggests a focus on holistic digital solutions. The "human-first" and "connected brands" ethos implies a strong emphasis on user experience and client relationships. The scale of WPP provides significant resources and opportunities, while VML itself offers a more focused, agile environment for innovation.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level technical leadership position, moving beyond pure individual contribution to encompass team management, client consultation, and strategic input. It's a crucial step for experienced frontend developers looking to lead projects and influence technical direction.

Reporting Structure: The Technical Lead will report into a leadership role within VML's Enterprise Solutions division in India and will directly manage a team of frontend developers. They will also interact frequently with project managers, account directors, and client-side technical and business stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts client success by ensuring the effective implementation of web platforms and digital experiences, which are critical for customer engagement, brand presence, and commerce. The Technical Lead's decisions influence platform performance, user experience, and the client's ability to achieve their business objectives through digital channels.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in AEM, JAMstack, design systems, and performance optimization, potentially leading to architect roles.

• Leadership Progression: Advance to roles like Engineering Manager, Head of Frontend, or Technical Director, managing larger teams and more complex portfolios.

• Consulting Acumen: Develop stronger client advisory skills, potentially moving into strategic consulting or solution architecture roles.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience in pre-sales, GTM strategy, and product development collaboration.

• Global Mobility: Opportunities to work on international projects or relocate to other VML offices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for this role is clearly defined, offering progression from technical leadership to broader management and strategic roles. The emphasis on both technical depth and client-facing skills makes it a well-rounded opportunity for ambitious operations and technology professionals.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: VML operates a hybrid work model, with teams expected to be in the office an average of four days a week. This suggests a collaborative office environment designed to foster creativity, connection, and in-person teamwork.

Office Location(s): The primary location for this role is Noida, India. VML has multiple offices globally, but this position is based within the Indian operational centers.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is designed to encourage collaboration, with spaces conducive to team meetings, workshops, and brainstorming sessions.

• Access to modern development tools and technologies is expected, supporting efficient frontend development and project execution.

• Opportunities for direct interaction with a diverse team of developers, designers, strategists, and project managers are frequent, promoting knowledge sharing and cross-pollination of ideas.

Work Schedule: While the standard work week is approximately 40 hours, the hybrid model offers flexibility. The nature of client-facing consulting and project delivery may require adaptability to meet project deadlines and client needs, especially when working with global teams across different time zones.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model is a key aspect of the work environment, indicating a balance between structured in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. This setup is common in the agency world, aiming to capture the benefits of both collaborative energy and individual focus.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview(s): Expect one or more technical interviews focusing on frontend development expertise, AEM knowledge (if applicable), problem-solving abilities, and architectural design. This may include coding challenges or whiteboard exercises.

• Leadership & Consulting Interview: An interview with a hiring manager or senior leader to evaluate leadership style, client management skills, Agile experience, and strategic thinking. This is where your consulting approach will be assessed.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where you will present your portfolio, walking through key projects, your role, technical solutions, and the impact achieved. Be prepared to discuss challenges and how you overcame them.

• Final Round: Potentially an interview with a senior executive or a panel for final assessment and offer discussion.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 3-4 of your most impactful projects that best showcase your leadership, technical skills, and client consulting experience.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline:

  • Client/Project Context: The business challenge and objectives.
  • Your Role & Responsibilities: Specifically highlight your leadership and consulting contributions.
  • Technical Solution: Explain the architecture, technologies used (AEM, JAMstack, etc.), and key frontend development decisions.
  • Process & Methodology: Detail how you managed the project (Agile, scrum), facilitated workshops, and collaborated with teams.
  • Results & Impact: Quantify achievements (e.g., performance improvements, user adoption, client satisfaction, ROI).

• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your role in mentoring teams, managing client expectations, and driving technical direction.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your technical choices, problem-solving approaches, and client interactions.

Challenge Preparation:

• Technical Challenges: Practice coding problems related to JavaScript, HTML, CSS, performance optimization, and potentially AEM component development.

• Problem-Solving Scenarios: Be ready to discuss hypothetical client challenges and how you would approach them from a technical and consulting perspective. Consider how you would balance client needs with technical feasibility and best practices.

• Presentation Skills: Rehearse your portfolio presentation to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence. Practice articulating complex technical concepts in an understandable manner for both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prioritize demonstrating their ability to lead technically while also acting as a client advisor. The portfolio is critical for showcasing this dual capability, especially how technical solutions translate into business value.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CMS: Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) is a key platform, requiring functional knowledge of its template editor and content authoring capabilities.

• Frontend Frameworks/Libraries: Proficiency in modern JavaScript frameworks and libraries is expected, though not explicitly listed, it’s implied by JAMstack expertise.

• CSS Preprocessors: Sass or Less are listed as a plus.

• Build Tools: Experience with Webpack, Babel, NPM is required.

• Version Control: Git is essential for code management.

• Design Tools: Familiarity with Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma is a plus.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not explicitly stated, understanding how to implement and leverage analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) to measure frontend performance and user behavior is crucial for optimization.

• Experience with performance monitoring tools (e.g., Lighthouse, WebPageTest) for benchmarking and optimization. CRM & Automation:

• Familiarity with RESTful and GraphQL APIs is required, indicating integration capabilities.

• Understanding of Micro Frontend concepts and Headless implementations suggests experience with decoupled architectures.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack is heavily focused on modern frontend development practices and CMS integration. The mention of AEM, JAMstack, and headless implementations points towards building scalable, performant, and flexible web solutions. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with these specific technologies and related tools.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Heart: Empathy, trust, and fostering genuine connections are central, influencing how teams collaborate and approach client relationships. This translates to understanding client needs deeply and building strong partnerships.

• Brains: Valuing relentless curiosity, collaborative intelligence, and innovative problem-solving to tackle complex challenges in digital experience and commerce. This drives continuous learning and the pursuit of cutting-edge solutions.

• Courage: Encouraging individuals to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions that challenge the status quo and drive progress. This fosters a culture of proactivity and innovation.

• Human-First: A core philosophy emphasizing the creation of human-centric work and experiences, both for clients and within the team.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Strong emphasis on seamless collaboration between technical, creative, content, and strategy teams to deliver cohesive digital experiences.

• Process Review & Feedback: An open culture for reviewing workflows and providing constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement in development and project management.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouraging the sharing of expertise, best practices, and learnings across teams to elevate collective capabilities.

• Efficiency Experimentation: A willingness to explore and adopt new tools and methodologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in project delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: VML's core values (Heart, Brains, Courage) are designed to foster a dynamic and impactful work environment. For an operations or technical lead role, demonstrating how these values translate into daily work—e.g., empathetic client communication, innovative technical solutions, and proactive problem-solving—will be key.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Demands with Technical Best Practices: Navigating client requests that may conflict with optimal technical solutions or scalability requirements, requiring strong negotiation and communication skills.

• Leading Dispersed Global Teams: Effectively managing and motivating a development team that may be geographically distributed, requiring excellent remote collaboration and communication strategies.

• Keeping Pace with Evolving Frontend Technologies: Continuously learning and adapting to new frameworks, tools, and best practices in the rapidly changing frontend landscape.

• Integrating Diverse Client Systems: Working with varied client technology stacks and legacy systems while implementing modern solutions, demanding adaptability and strong integration skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AEM Specialization: Opportunities to gain deeper expertise and certifications in Adobe Experience Manager.

• Advanced Frontend Architecture: Training in micro frontends, headless CMS, design systems, and performance optimization techniques.

• Leadership & Consulting Skills: Development programs focused on client management, strategic thinking, and team leadership.

• Industry Exposure: Participation in industry conferences, workshops, and access to VML's extensive knowledge base and partner ecosystem.

• Mentorship: Access to senior leaders and experienced architects for guidance and career development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior role in a dynamic agency environment, requiring a blend of technical prowess, leadership acumen, and client-facing skills. The growth opportunities are robust, supporting a long-term career trajectory within VML.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance a client's urgent request with the need to maintain code quality and adhere to best practices. How did you manage the situation and communicate with the client?" (Assesses client management, technical judgment, communication.)

• "Walk us through your process for designing and implementing a reusable component library or design system for a large-scale web project. What were the key considerations and challenges?" (Evaluates technical approach, understanding of design systems, and process.)

• "How do you approach estimating effort for frontend development tasks, especially within an Agile framework? What factors do you consider, and how do you handle uncertainty?" (Tests estimation skills, Agile understanding, and risk assessment.)

• "Imagine a client is experiencing poor web performance. What steps would you take to diagnose the issue, identify root causes, and implement solutions?" (Assesses problem-solving, performance optimization knowledge, and methodical approach.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of VML and WPP, how do you see yourself contributing to our 'Heart, Brains, Courage' values in this role?" (Tests cultural alignment and self-awareness.)

• "Describe your experience working with globally dispersed teams. What strategies do you employ to ensure effective collaboration and communication?" (Evaluates remote team leadership and collaboration skills.)

• "How do you stay current with the latest trends in frontend development and CMS technologies?" (Gauges continuous learning and industry awareness.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Focus on Leadership: Emphasize your role in guiding teams, making critical technical decisions, and managing client relationships, not just individual coding contributions.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics to demonstrate the success of your projects – e.g., percentage improvement in load times, conversion rates, authoring efficiency, or client satisfaction scores.

• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation like a narrative, clearly outlining the problem, your strategic approach, the technical execution, and the successful outcome.

• Be Prepared for Technical Deep Dives: Anticipate questions on specific technologies, architectural choices, and problem-solving methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on articulating your leadership experience, client consulting capabilities, and technical expertise in a way that aligns with VML's values and the demands of a senior technical lead role in a global agency.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this AEM - UI EDS - Technical Lead / Frontend Development Lead position:

• Submit your application through the VML careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your 10+ years of experience in frontend development leadership, CMS integration (especially AEM if possible), and client consulting. Prepare a portfolio showcasing 3-4 key projects that demonstrate your leadership, technical solutions, process improvements, and quantifiable results.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly lists your expertise in JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, JAMstack, responsive design, Agile methodologies, and any relevant CMS experience. Use keywords from the job description and emphasize achievements related to project delivery, team mentorship, and client management.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience with the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare for technical deep-dives on frontend architecture, performance optimization, and AEM. Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on demonstrating leadership and client consulting impact.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with VML's client work, core values (Heart, Brains, Courage), and the Enterprise Solutions division. Understand their approach to digital experience and commerce, and be ready to discuss how your skills and experience align with their mission.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.