At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global team to transform engineering with AI and deliver innovative SaaS solutions.
- Company: Join Azur Technology, a forward-thinking company revolutionising insurance tech.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, health insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-growth environment while shaping the future of technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in product-led SaaS and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 185000 £ per year.
Salary: Basic circa £150,000–£185,000 depending on level and experience, plus bonus, benefits and stock options.
The Mission
Azur Technology is evolving into a product‑led, AI‑augmented SaaS provider for the MGA (Managing General Agent) market. Following a successful private funding round, we are reimagining how insurance technology is built. Our flagship product, MGA Connect, is a modern SaaS platform designed to replace legacy, 90s‑era technology with a lean, highly configurable system. We are looking for a leader to bridge the gap between our established Salesforce‑based architecture and a future defined by AI‑driven development efficiencies — while also owning the broader technology strategy as we scale.
The Role
This is a high‑impact leadership position for a technical strategist who recognises that AI is fundamentally changing the engineering landscape. You will lead a global team of 50+ engineers (headquartered in London, with a significant hub in the Philippines), transitioning the culture from traditional development cycles to a high‑performing, AI‑enabled operation. In addition to engineering leadership, this role expands into CTO‑level accountability – owning platform strategy, technical operations, and security as we scale into a mature SaaS business.
Core Mandate
As we enter a new phase of growth and AI adoption, this role and person will build and run a high‑performing product engineering organisation that delivers reliably, scales efficiently, and supports the transition to a product‑led SaaS model.
Key Responsibilities
- Engineering Leadership & Organisation
- Build and lead a scalable engineering organisation
- Define team structures (squads/pods aligned to product areas)
- Hire, develop, and retain high‑quality engineering talent
- Establish clear ownership, accountability, and leadership layers
- Delivery Excellence & Execution
- Own predictable, high‑quality delivery
- Implement strong planning and estimation practices
- Establish sprint and release discipline
- Introduce delivery tracking and reporting
- Shift the culture from ad hoc delivery to a repeatable execution engine
- Product Engineering Alignment
- Partner closely with Product to align engineering to roadmap and priorities
- Ensure teams are working on reusable, scalable product features
- Drive a mindset shift from client‑specific builds to productised capabilities
- AI‑Enabled Engineering Transformation
- Embed AI into engineering workflows, including:
- Developer productivity (copilots, automation)
- Testing and QA acceleration
- Documentation and knowledge sharing
- Reduce dependency on linear team scaling
- Evolve towards AI‑assisted / agentic delivery models
- Stay abreast of changes in the AI landscape and adopt relevant improvements
- Quality, Standards & Ways of Working
- Establish and enforce an automation‑first testing strategy
- Implement strong CI/CD discipline
- Define and uphold code quality standards
- Improve reliability, maintainability, and release confidence
- Operational Performance & Metrics
- Define and track key engineering metrics, including:
- Delivery predictability
- Cycle time / lead time
- Deployment frequency
- Defect rates / quality
- Use data to drive continuous improvement
- Technical Operations
- Own the reliability, performance, and scalability of the production platform
- Establish best practices across:
- Infrastructure management (cloud, environments, cost optimisation)
- Monitoring, alerting, and incident management
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning
- Ensure high availability and resilience of customer‑facing systems
- Drive DevOps maturity, including environment strategy and release management
- Partner with Engineering and Product to ensure operational readiness for new features
- Balance performance, cost, and scalability as the platform grows
- Security & Compliance
- Own the overall security posture of the platform and engineering practices
- Ensure compliance with key frameworks and standards (e.g. SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR)
- Embed security‑by‑design principles into architecture and development workflows
- Implement secure SDLC practices, including code scanning and vulnerability management
- Define and enforce data protection, access control, and encryption standards
- Lead incident response and ongoing risk management processes
- Support enterprise client requirements for security assurance and audits
- Balance security, compliance, and delivery speed in a scale‑up environment
- Talent & Capability Strategy
- Partner with People team to hire product‑oriented engineers (not a services mindset)
- Balance senior talent with effective use of AI/tools
- In conjunction with the people team, help build a culture of ownership, pragmatism, performance and pace.
Key Challenges to Solve
- Lack of delivery predictability and consistency
- Services‑led ways of working vs product mindset
- Scaling output without linearly increasing headcount
- Embedding AI into real engineering workflows (not just experimentation)
- Building enterprise‑grade operational and security maturity
- Career growth paths for development team.
Job Requirements
Ideal Profile
- VP Engineering / Head of Engineering / CTO experience in a product‑led SaaS environment
- Experience taking a company from a services‑led to a product‑led model, and how to do this right
- Strong operator with a focus on delivery, organisational design, and execution, with the ability to demonstrate this
- Track record of growing engineering talent in a high performing culture
- Proven experience transforming teams from services‑led to product‑led
- Comfortable operating with broad CTO‑level accountability
- Pragmatic, metrics‑driven, and AI‑forward
- Excellent communicator, able to simplify complex ideas and build trust with senior stakeholders
- Commercially minded, with an understanding of how technology decisions affect revenue, cost, and operational performance
- Comfortable operating in a fast‑moving, high‑ambiguity scale‑up environment
- Experience with Salesforce, FSC, and core Apex & LWC
- Experience within the insurance / MGA sector or a highly regulated industry
- Experience implementing or scaling security and compliance frameworks (SOC 2, ISO 27001)
Benefits
- Bonus
- Minimum 25 days’ holiday
- Health insurance
- Death in service
- Pension
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Training budget
- Potential stock options after the qualifying period
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment at Azur Technology is based solely on merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non‑disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
VP Engineering / CTO employer: Azur Technology Limited
Azur Technology is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and growth in the rapidly evolving field of AI-driven SaaS solutions. With a strong emphasis on employee development, competitive benefits including a generous holiday allowance, health insurance, and potential stock options, we cultivate a culture of inclusivity and high performance, making it an ideal place for ambitious professionals to thrive in London and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP Engineering / CTO
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who are already in leadership roles. A personal introduction can make all the difference when you're aiming for a high-impact position like VP Engineering or CTO.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience with AI-driven development and how you've successfully transitioned teams from services-led to product-led models. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and delivery excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Get involved in relevant communities! Join forums or groups focused on SaaS, engineering leadership, or AI in tech. Engaging in discussions can help you stay updated on industry trends and might even lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Make sure your application reflects your understanding of the role and how you can contribute to our mission at Azur Technology.
We think you need these skills to ace VP Engineering / CTO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role. Highlight your experience in product-led SaaS environments and any relevant AI initiatives you've led. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Azur Technology!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the VP Engineering / CTO role. Share your vision for bridging traditional engineering with AI-driven strategies, and let us know how you plan to lead our team.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We’re looking for someone who can inspire and lead a global team. In your application, share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of innovation. Let us know how you’ve successfully transitioned teams from services-led to product-led models.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Azur Technology Limited
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a VP Engineering or CTO, you need to be well-versed in the latest technologies, especially AI and SaaS. Brush up on your knowledge of Salesforce, Apex, and LWC, and be ready to discuss how these can be leveraged in a product-led environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience in building and leading high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've transitioned teams from a services-led to a product-led mindset, and highlight your approach to fostering a culture of ownership and accountability.
✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Vision
Be ready to articulate your vision for the future of engineering at Azur Technology. Discuss how you would integrate AI into workflows and improve delivery predictability, while also addressing security and compliance challenges in a fast-paced environment.
✨Engage with Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions that show your understanding of the company's mission and challenges. Ask about their current tech stack, team dynamics, and how they envision the role evolving as they scale.
