At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the CTO in scaling a high-performing engineering organisation and driving execution.
- Company: Join a fast-growing fintech redefining consumer lending with innovative technology.
- Benefits: Equity ownership, hybrid work, generous holiday, paid volunteering, and wellness budget.
- Other info: Opportunity for a paid sabbatical and a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in scaling engineering teams and driving operational clarity.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
About Abound
We’re redefining consumer lending in the UK, and beyond. Using advanced AI and Open Banking data, we make fair, affordable personal finance available to more people. While traditional lenders rely almost entirely on credit scores, we look at the full financial picture - how much you spend, and what you can afford to repay to build a deeper, more accurate understanding of each customer's unique financial situation. And we've shown it works at scale. We’ve issued over £1.3bn in loans directly to customers while delivering market-leading credit performance - for every 10 defaults the industry expects, we see only 3. We also reached profitability just 2.5 years after launch. Backed by £2bn+ of funding from top-tier investors including Citi, GSR Ventures, and Deutsche Bank, we’re recognised as one of Europe’s fastest-growing fintechs (Sifted, CNBC). Now, we’re expanding into new markets and product lines - and we’re looking for ambitious people who want to learn fast, take ownership, and grow with us.
About the role
We are hiring a Chief of Staff to act as the CTO’s right hand, responsible for building the operating discipline and execution leverage required to scale the technology organisation. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on execution, clarity and accountability. You will ensure the organisation is working on the right priorities, making clear commitments, and delivering at pace without introducing unnecessary process or bureaucracy. Your mission is simple: build a high-performing engineering organisation that consistently delivers.
What you'll be doing
- Execution & Delivery Discipline
- Ensure engineering teams are aligned to the company’s most important priorities
- Drive clear commitments, realistic timelines and predictable delivery
- Surface risks early and ensure fast, decisive resolution
- Operating Cadence
- Run the core operating rhythm of the technology organisation
- Own planning cycles, delivery reviews, leadership forums and executive reporting
- Improve decision-making clarity and ensure follow-through
- Roadmap & Visibility
- Create end-to-end visibility of the technology roadmap across product and central teams
- Provide clear insight into progress, risks, dependencies and trade-offs
- Enable leadership to focus attention where it matters most
- Cross-Team Execution
- Manage dependencies across engineering, product, risk, compliance and commercial teams
- Remove bottlenecks and ensure coordinated delivery across a complex organisation
- Organisation & Performance
- Strengthen accountability, performance management and leadership discipline
- Help scale hiring, onboarding and organisational capacity
- Act as a visible driver of a high-performance culture
- Operating Model
- Improve how central teams (Platform, FinOps, AI, Security, IT) support product teams
- Establish clear ownership, interfaces and expectations to increase speed and clarity
- CTO Leverage
- Reduce the CTO’s overhead on coordination, planning and follow-up
- Create space for focus on technology strategy, architecture and innovation
Who you are
Proven experience scaling engineering or product organisations in high-growth environments. Strong track record driving execution, delivery discipline and operational clarity. Experience running planning cadences, portfolio visibility and cross-team coordination at scale. Ability to work credibly with senior engineers and technology leaders. Commercial mindset: understands how technology drives growth, customer outcomes and risk management. High standards, strong judgement and a bias for action. You are structured but pragmatic, demanding but focused on outcomes. You know how to raise performance without slowing teams down.
What we offer
Everyone owns a piece of the company - equity. Hybrid with 3 days a week in the office. 25 days’ holiday a year, plus 8 bank holidays. 2 paid volunteering days per year. One month paid sabbatical after 4 years. Employee loan. Free gym membership. Team wellness budget to be active together - set up a yoga class, a tennis lesson or go bouldering.
Chief of Staff to CTO in London employer: Abound
At Abound, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions innovation and personal growth. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and accountability, allowing employees to take ownership of their roles while contributing to our mission of redefining consumer lending. With competitive benefits such as equity ownership, generous holiday allowances, and wellness initiatives, we provide an environment where ambitious individuals can thrive and make a meaningful impact in the fintech space.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief of Staff to CTO in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to the company you're eyeing. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding the company's mission and values. Show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around execution and delivery discipline. We want to see that you get what they're about!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how you can help scale their engineering organisation and drive performance. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story that highlights your achievements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our journey at Abound.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief of Staff to CTO in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Chief of Staff role. Highlight your experience in scaling engineering or product organisations, and don’t forget to showcase your track record in driving execution and operational clarity. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about redefining consumer lending and how your skills align with our mission. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We’re looking for someone who can strengthen accountability and foster a high-performance culture. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven results in high-growth environments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Abound!
How to prepare for a job interview at Abound
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Abound's mission and values. Understand how they redefine consumer lending and their unique approach using AI and Open Banking data. This knowledge will help you connect your experience to their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Chief of Staff, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to drive execution and accountability. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully scaled engineering teams or improved operational clarity. Highlight how you managed cross-team dependencies and removed bottlenecks to achieve results.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about scenarios where you've had to surface risks early or make decisive resolutions. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Emphasise Your Commercial Mindset
Abound is looking for someone who understands how technology drives growth and customer outcomes. Be ready to discuss how your technical expertise aligns with business objectives. Share insights on how you've previously balanced innovation with practical execution to deliver value.
