VP Engineering and Data in London

VP Engineering and Data in London

London Full-Time 100000 - 150000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Fleek

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale a dynamic engineering team to revolutionise the secondhand fashion supply chain.
  • Company: Join Fleek, a fast-growing tech company on a mission to transform secondhand fashion.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and a vibrant office culture in London.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values curiosity, ownership, and disruption.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the sustainable fashion industry while leading innovative AI initiatives.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in engineering leadership and a passion for AI-driven products.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.

Can you help us fix the world’s most broken supply chain? The fashion industry produces over 100 billion garments a year. 60% end up in landfill — not because people don’t want these clothes, but because the supply chain for getting secondhand fashion from donation to resale is completely offline, manual, and broken. Fleek is fixing this. Our mission is to make secondhand the first choice. We’re building the infrastructure powering the global secondhand clothing trade — through a B2B marketplace and the AI systems digitising the supply chain behind it.

Through Fleek, vintage stores, online resellers, and retail buyers source graded secondhand inventory directly from wholesalers and rag houses across multiple countries. Our key enabler is FleekSort — an AI model fine‑tuned on secondhand fashion — that can grade, price, and categorise items with just a photo, turning what has historically been an opaque and manual trade into a structured, searchable, and tradable global inventory layer. Since 2022, we’ve saved 9 million items from landfill and tripled in size year‑on‑year. We’ve raised ~$50M from a16z, Y Combinator, Burda Principal Investments, HV Capital, and others, and have recently closed our Series B. Our advisors and private investors include operators behind Depop, Shopify, and Postmates. Today, we serve thousands of resellers and retailers across the UK, Europe, and the US. With the secondhand fashion market projected to reach $350B by 2027, Fleek is building the AI‑native operational and financial backbone for secondhand commerce globally. We’re looking for people who want to build something that matters — and move fast doing it. Sound good? Keep reading.

About The Role

To support our next stage of expansion, Fleek is seeking an experienced and ambitious VP Engineering to lead and scale its Engineering organisation. The VP of Engineering will oversee a fast‑growing engineering team, soon to be approximately 30 engineers, distributed across London and India, as well as manage Fleek’s Data team, which is currently a team of four. This is a senior leadership position reporting directly to Sanket Agarwal, Co‑Founder of Fleek, and will play a critical role in shaping the company’s technical direction, culture, and execution as Fleek scales.

What you’ll Own

  • Lead delivery of Fleek’s AI initiatives, which sit at the heart of the company’s product and long‑term strategy
  • Foster a culture of experimentation, agility, and hustle, encouraging rapid iteration and high ownership across teams
  • Build and evolve the engineering organisation structure, ensuring scalability as the company grows
  • Continue expanding the Engineering team, with the majority of hiring based in London
  • Own the Data function as it grows alongside the broader Engineering organisation
  • Serve as a hands‑on technical leader, able to build credibility quickly with engineers and guide architecture and execution
  • Attract, hire, and retain exceptional “A‑class” talent, acting as a true talent magnet for the organisation
  • Partner closely with product and business leadership to ensure engineering teams are deeply aligned with company outcomes

Who We’re Looking For

  • Experience leading engineering teams in high‑growth, scaling environments
  • A background that began as a back‑end engineer, with strong technical foundations
  • Proven ability to build engineering teams that are both product‑focused and business‑oriented
  • Previous experience overseeing data and managing data scientists
  • Experience working with or building AI‑driven products
  • Strong leadership presence, with a track record of inspiring high‑performing, fast‑moving teams
  • Previous entrepreneurial experience in an ambitious tech‑driven scale‑up, or as a founder, would be advantageous
  • Experience in an international marketplace business is a strong plus for this role
  • Deeply analytical: data‑driven decision making is second nature
  • Insatiably curious: you’re constantly learning about new tools, approaches, and market changes
  • Hungry and ambitious: you’re driven to stay relevant and push boundaries
  • Change agent: you’ve driven transformation in previous organizations
  • Hands‑on: you’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself

How We Work

Fleek is an in‑office company. We believe the best work happens when people are together — the quick decisions, the cross‑functional energy, the ability to solve problems in real time. Most of the team works from our London HQ 3–4 days a week. We’re not prescriptive about it. Performance and trust matter more than attendance. For your first six months, we’ll ask you to prioritise being in the office — to learn the business, build relationships, and get up to speed. After that, you’ll have genuine flexibility to manage your own time. We hire adults and treat them accordingly.

The Practicalities

  • Location: London HQ — Heneage Street, E1 (Shoreditch / Aldgate East)
  • Work model: In‑office, typically 3–4 days per week. Full‑time in the office for your first six months, then genuine flexibility earned through trust and performance.
  • Stage: Post‑Series B, hyper‑growth
  • Team: 100+ across London, India, and Pakistan (~20 in London office)
  • Visa: Unable to sponsor visas for this role
  • Culture: High ownership, non‑hierarchical, fast‑moving. Founder‑led with strong opinions loosely held.

Our Values

  • Dream Big and Disrupt Yourself: Push the most ambitious version of what you’re building. Step out of your comfort zone. Nothing is out of reach.
  • Absolute Ownership: The buck stops with you. Drive initiatives to completion. Experiment, learn, persevere. The job isn’t done until the job is done.
  • Curiosity Leads the Way: Don’t accept anything at face value. Ask questions you don’t know the answer to. That’s how you innovate.
  • Talk to the Customer: Deeply understand their challenges, motivations, and ambitions. Every decision starts with the customer at the centre.
  • Embrace Diversity: A global team building for a global supply chain. Bring your authentic self and embrace the diversity of everyone you encounter.

VP Engineering and Data in London employer: Fleek

Fleek is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming the secondhand fashion industry through innovative AI solutions and a strong commitment to sustainability. With a vibrant work culture that prioritises collaboration and flexibility, employees are empowered to take ownership of their projects while enjoying opportunities for professional growth in a rapidly expanding company. Located in the heart of London, Fleek offers a dynamic environment where creativity thrives, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced, mission-driven organisation.

Fleek

Contact Details:

Fleek Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land VP Engineering and Data in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or any projects that highlight your engineering prowess, make sure to share them during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience and passion for the field.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Research common questions for VP Engineering roles and practice your responses. Think about how your past experiences align with Fleek’s mission to revolutionise the supply chain in fashion.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of Fleek’s exciting journey.

We think you need these skills to ace VP Engineering and Data in London

Leadership Skills
Engineering Team Management
AI Product Development
Data Management
Back-End Engineering
Analytical Skills
Agility and Experimentation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the VP Engineering role. Highlight your experience in leading engineering teams and any relevant AI projects you've worked on. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Fleek!

Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership approach. Share examples of how you've fostered a culture of experimentation and agility in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and motivate a fast-moving team!

Demonstrate Your Technical Expertise:Don’t shy away from showcasing your technical skills! Mention your background as a back-end engineer and any experience you have with data management or AI-driven products. This will help us understand your hands-on capabilities.

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. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!

How to prepare for a job interview at Fleek

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Fleek's mission and the specifics of their AI initiatives. Understand how their technology works and be ready to discuss your own experience with AI-driven products. This shows you’re not just interested in the role but also genuinely invested in what they do.

Show Your Leadership Style

As a VP Engineering candidate, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership approach. Prepare examples of how you've built and scaled engineering teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster a culture of experimentation and agility, as this aligns perfectly with Fleek's values.

Be Data-Driven

Fleek values analytical thinking, so come prepared with data-driven examples from your previous roles. Discuss how you've used data to make decisions or drive transformation in your teams. This will resonate well with their focus on data-led decision-making.

Embrace Curiosity

Fleek is all about curiosity and innovation. During the interview, ask insightful questions about their challenges and future plans. This not only shows your interest but also reflects your alignment with their value of curiosity leading the way. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your own ideas!