Chief Technology Officer - Quantum Computing, SC Ventures (London)

Job Summary

Quanta is a unique proposition created to form the future of quantitative analytics, by leveraging breakthrough technologies and combining these with deep domain expertise. Quanta harnesses the latest breakthroughs in quantum and quantum inspired technologies and provides a platform with access to applications, algorithms, research and compute.

Quanta is underpinned by a platform that provides access to industry leading applications, breakthrough algorithms, cutting edge research and quantum computing hardware devices. The platform enables users to conduct their own experimentation and development, by providing access to the latest software and hardware breakthroughs in quantum technologies.

The applications developed by Quanta are built with the primary goal of delivering world class performance by leveraging the unique combination of capabilities that are accessible by the firm. These applications are built to take full advantage of the growing maturity of quantum computing hardware and ‘future proofed’ for the inflection points in the development of these technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsibility for designing, implementing and maintaining the end-to-end technology infrastructure stack for the venture. This encompasses the development and maintenance of systems for the venture’s products and platform as well as technology for internal R&D and operational purposes.
• Take end-to-end accountability for the product lifecyle for applications that are developed in the venture’s focus areas.
• Over time, ensure products developed are able to support mission critical functions for clients.
• Take end-to-end accountability for design, development and maintenance of the platform, which will include functionality for access to breakthrough algorithms, research and a range of quantum computing hardware devices.
• Responsibility for project management in client engagements, including utilising resources from the R&D team and drawing resources from the sponsor organisations to support with domain and technical expertise.
• Over time, the platform needs to be able to support mission critical functions for clients. (However, it will be initially built to facilitate experimentation).
• Responsibility for managing internal systems and software, including those that support the R&D, HR and Finance functions as well as those for internal cross-team collaborations.
• Sourcing, negotiating with and managing all related technology vendors for the venture.
• Ensure cyber security protocols are implemented and adhered to.
• Set out and ensure adherence to delivery timelines and budgets.
• Expectation is for extensive utilisation of AI and related workflow tools to ensure high speed delivery timelines. Expectation for a strong bias to automation and efficient delivery over outsourcing to service vendors and growing team headcount.
• Initially, the role will be performed on a hand’s on basis, with the potential to grow a team as the venture matures.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with other teams and strategic alignment with other C-Level executives
• Responsibility for designing and implementing the product and platform roadmaps and supporting the CEO in articulating these to the board

Skills and Experience

• • Overall 7+ years of professional experience including some experience in a similar capacity, ideally as CTO / Director of Technology role in a start-up environment, in organisations ranging from 10 to 200 people. Past experience in top tier organisations in sectors such as Financial Services, Technology and/or Fintech will be highly valued.
  • Strong experience in utilising AI tools to build up technology infrastructure and automate workflows.
  • Strong experience in building products and platforms in a fast-paced agile environment, while successfully meeting internal and external client requirements.
  • Deep experience in multiple coding languages and in utilising LLMs to maximise developer productivity, while also maintaining quality and scalability.
  • Experience working with and at least a basic understanding of leading / famous algorithms across the domains of machine learning, simulation and optimisation.
  • Experience and domain knowledge in Financial Services technology, particularly trading and fraud detection systems highly valuable.
  • Innovative problem-solver with excellent multitasking abilities, skilled in identifying, prioritising, and resolving complex issues proactively.
  • Highly adaptable, responsive, and flexible to shifting priorities and urgent requests from senior management and key stakeholders
  • Proven leadership in driving operational efficiency and strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with the company's goals and objectives.

Characteristics & Competencies

• Strong bias to action and execution, as opposed to ‘analysis paralysis’.
• Structured thinker, ability to rapidly provide coherence to complexity
• Proficient in learning and adapting to new technology innovations
• Proficient in efficiently integrating systems, interfaces & data streams
• Proficient in grasping new scientific and engineering concepts, including in the field of quantum computing.
• Proficient in transforming abstract ideas into efficient and optimised systems.
• Proficient at negotiating with technology vendors and optimising for costs.
• Proven ability to build and manage effective relationships with technical counterparts in client and partner organisations.
• Able to act as a trusted advisor, strategic thought partner, confidante, and sounding board.
• Strategic thinker with executional discipline, capable of aligning vision to operational targets.
• Analytical mindset with high attention to detail and operational rigor.
• Adaptable, resilient, and solutions-oriented under pressure.

About Standard Chartered

We're an international bank, nimble enough to act, big enough for impact. For more than 170 years, we've worked to make a positive difference for our clients, communities, and each other. We question the status quo, love a challenge and enjoy finding new opportunities to grow and do better than before. If you're looking for a career with purpose and you want to work for a bank making a difference, we want to hear from you. You can count on us to celebrate your unique talents and we can't wait to see the talents you can bring us.

Our purpose, to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, together with our brand promise, to be here for good are achieved by how we each live our valued behaviours. When you work with us, you'll see how we value difference and advocate inclusion.

Together we:

• Do the right thing and are assertive, challenge one another, and live with integrity, while putting the client at the heart of what we do
• Never settle, continuously striving to improve and innovate, keeping things simple and learning from doing well, and not so well
• Are better together, we can be ourselves, be inclusive, see more good in others, and work collectively to build for the long term

What we offer

In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.

• Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations.
• Time-off including annual leave, parental/maternity (20 weeks), sabbatical (12 months maximum) and volunteering leave (3 days), along with minimum global standards for annual and public holiday, which is combined to 30 days minimum.
• Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns.
• Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market-leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills,global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first-aiders and all sorts of self-help toolkits
• A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning.
• Being part of an inclusive and values driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies – everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.

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