At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the tech strategy and build systems that transform education for thousands of students.
- Company: Join Spark Tutoring, the UK's fastest-growing online education provider.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, and a clear path to full-time leadership.
- Other info: Dynamic, mission-driven environment with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while shaping the future of our tech.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in tech with strong leadership and strategic skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 105000 £ per year.
Spark Tutoring is the UK’s fastest-growing online education & tutoring provider. Our mission is to transform UK education through our collective of young, high-achieving and relatable undergraduates, delivering a results-driven service that has supported over 5,000 students nationwide. As we continue to scale, we are looking for a CTO to take ownership of our technical direction, systems, and infrastructure as we enter our next phase of growth.
The Role
This is a senior leadership position combining technical strategy, execution, and cross-functional impact. You will work directly with leadership to design, build, and scale the systems that power the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and drive the technical roadmap, making architectural decisions that balance speed with long-term scalability across Spark's internal systems and client-facing portal.
- Lead the build and iteration of a unified platform consolidating operations, billing, communications, and tutor management, owning vendor relationships and build vs buy decisions.
- Design and implement automations across key business events to reduce manual work and founder dependency.
- Define and own the full rollout project plan, coordinating sub-tasks and responsibility across departments, holding the team accountable to milestones and escalating blockers where needed.
- Structure and manage phased system rollouts including soft launches, collecting feedback and translating it into a prioritised iteration plan with a clear QA process before anything goes live.
- Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Customer Success to identify inefficiencies and deliver practical tech solutions that make each function faster and less fragile.
- Build and maintain reporting dashboards giving leadership visibility over key operational and commercial metrics.
- Identify when the tech team requires new hires, define what those roles should be, and lead the recruitment process to bring the right people in.
Who We’re Looking For
- UK-based.
- 10+ years’ experience in technology.
- Background in top-tier companies or consulting environments.
- Strong leadership experience with clear ownership of technical direction.
- Comfortable operating both strategically and hands-on.
- Long-term mindset and strong mission alignment.
- Available 20+ hours per week initially, with transition to full-time in Q3/Q4.
Compensation
- £45k to 60k per year w/ bonuses for part time.
- £80k to £105k per year w/ bonuses when full time.
Why Join Spark
- High-growth, mission-driven environment.
- Direct influence on company strategy and execution.
- Ownership of core systems and technical direction.
- Clear pathway to a full-time leadership role.
CTO - , , United Kingdom in Preston employer: Spark Tutoring
Contact Detail:
Spark Tutoring Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land CTO - , , United Kingdom in Preston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who might know someone at Spark Tutoring. A personal introduction can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your past projects and achievements. When you get the chance to chat with the team, share how your experience aligns with their mission and technical needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see any areas where Spark could improve its tech systems, don’t hesitate to bring them up during your conversations. This shows initiative and that you’re already thinking about how to contribute.
✨Tip Number 4
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 the Spark Tutoring team.
We think you need these skills to ace CTO - , , United Kingdom in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the CTO role at Spark Tutoring. Highlight your technical leadership experience and how it relates to our mission of transforming UK education.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your accomplishments! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you've driven technical strategy and made a tangible impact in previous roles. We love seeing results!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone relatable and passionate about education, so don’t hesitate to share your story and what motivates you to join Spark Tutoring.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our tech direction!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spark Tutoring
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a CTO, you'll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of technology and systems. Brush up on the latest trends in tech, especially those relevant to online education and tutoring platforms. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with architectural decisions and how they impacted scalability.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so prepare examples that highlight your ability to lead teams and drive technical direction. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed cross-functional projects or resolved conflicts within a team. This will show that you can handle the responsibilities of a senior leadership position.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Expect questions about your vision for the technical roadmap and how you would approach building a unified platform. Be ready to discuss your thought process behind build vs buy decisions and how you would implement automations to improve efficiency. This shows you’re not just hands-on but also strategic.
✨Understand the Business Side
Since this role involves collaboration with various departments, brush up on how technology can solve business inefficiencies. Prepare to discuss how you would work with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Customer Success to deliver practical tech solutions. This will demonstrate your ability to align tech with business goals.