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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams and set the technical direction for innovative projects.
- Company: Dynamic London-listed business with a strong engineering focus.
- Benefits: Opportunity for permanent role, hands-on leadership, and impactful work.
- Other info: Ideal for energetic leaders ready to make a significant impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while leading a talented engineering team.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering leadership and proficiency in Java and AI tools.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 130000 £ per year.
About the role
Barker Owen have been retained to appoint a Chief Technology Officer for a London-listed business with a substantial in-house engineering function. The CTO is the senior engineering leader, responsible for setting technical direction, leading the engineering organisation, and ensuring technology delivers measurable commercial impact. This is an interim opportunity but comes with the possibility of a future permanent appointment.
This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role for an engineering leader on an upward trajectory and will suit individuals excited by both leading teams and hands-on building.
What you will do
- The CTO leads an in-house engineering function spanning software engineering, application development, automation, DevOps and architecture.
- Working in close partnership with peer technology leaders, the CTO is accountable for:
- Setting and executing the companies engineering strategy
- Leading the integration of AI capabilities across the technology estate
- Building, developing and raising the bar of the engineering function, with autonomy over hiring and team composition
- Setting technical direction and engineering standards
- Operating as a credible technology voice within the senior leadership team
Who we are looking for
This role is best suited to a VP of Engineering styled profile currently operating in a tech-led business and ready to step into their first CTO seat. We are looking for trajectory, energy and engineering credibility; prior CTO experience is non-essential.
Essential experience
- Hands-on engineering leadership at scale, with a track record of running mature engineering organisations in tech-led environments
- Strong proficiency with Java-based technology stacks
- Experience with the Microsoft enterprise ecosystem
- Use of AI-assisted development tools (Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code or equivalents) with demonstrable productivity outcomes
- Demonstrated ability to integrate AI capabilities into customer- or user-facing technology layers
- Substantial people leadership experience
Personal qualities:
- Intellectually rigorous, with a strong analytical approach to business problem-solving
- Collaborative and effective at translating business requirements into engineering execution
- Comfortable building and shipping at pace
- Energetic and self-motivated
- Open to continuous learning and rapid adaptation
Interim Chief Technology Officer in London employer: Barker Owen
Contact Detail:
Barker Owen Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Chief Technology Officer in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend tech meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. You never know who might be looking for a CTO or can introduce you to someone who is.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Share your projects on platforms like GitHub or LinkedIn. This way, potential employers can see your hands-on engineering skills in action.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When reaching out to companies, make sure to tailor your message to their specific needs. Highlight how your experience with AI integration and Java stacks can directly benefit their engineering strategy.
✨Apply Through Our Website
We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance at landing that interim CTO role. It’s a direct line to us, and we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Chief Technology Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Engineering Credibility: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your hands-on engineering leadership experience. We want to see how you've successfully run mature engineering organisations and the impact you've made in tech-led environments.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! We’re looking for someone who can set and execute an engineering strategy. Make sure to align your skills and experiences with the specific requirements of the CTO role to show us you’re the perfect fit.
Demonstrate Your AI Integration Skills: Since this role involves integrating AI capabilities, be sure to mention any experience you have with AI-assisted development tools. We want to know how you've used these tools to enhance productivity and deliver results.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barker Owen
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Java-based technology stacks and Microsoft enterprise ecosystem. Brush up on your knowledge of AI-assisted development tools like GitHub Copilot, as you’ll want to showcase how you’ve used these to drive productivity.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your hands-on engineering leadership experience. Think about specific examples where you’ve built and led teams, and how you’ve raised the bar in engineering functions. This is your chance to demonstrate your people leadership skills!
✨Align with Business Goals
Be ready to explain how you can translate business requirements into engineering execution. Highlight any past experiences where you’ve successfully integrated technology strategies that delivered measurable commercial impact.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with other technology leaders, so be prepared to talk about how you foster collaboration within teams. Share examples of how you’ve worked cross-functionally to achieve common goals and drive innovation.