At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the tech strategy and build an AI-powered financial platform for small businesses.
- Company: Early-stage fintech startup with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and hybrid working model.
- Why this job: Join at a pivotal moment and shape technology and culture from the ground up.
- Qualifications: Senior engineering leader with strong Python and AWS experience.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to mentor a small team and drive impactful projects.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Central London (3 days/week in the office)
Working model: Hybrid
Company stage: Early-stage fintech (Pre-Seed)
The Client
Our client is building an AI-powered financial platform designed to help small businesses better understand, forecast and manage their finances. They are currently pre-seed, showing strong early traction, and preparing for a Series A raise. The team is intentionally small and highly focused, making this a rare opportunity to take true ownership of technology and engineering direction from an early stage.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role for a senior engineer ready to own the technical roadmap while continuing to build and ship. You will lead engineering through the transition from pre-seed to Series A, laying strong technical foundations while moving at startup speed.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and evolve the technical strategy and system architecture
- Lead development across backend, frontend, data and AI components
- Design and build Python-based services and data pipelines
- Own and scale AWS infrastructure, ensuring security, reliability and cost control
- Build, mentor and grow a small, high-quality engineering team
- Work closely with founders on product direction and fundraising readiness
- Balance fast delivery with long-term scalability and maintainability
- Remain hands-on, contributing to code and technical decision-making
About You
- Senior engineering leader (CTO, Head of Engineering, or similar) with startup or scale-up experience
- Strong hands-on experience with Python in production
- Deep familiarity with AWS and cloud-native architecture
- Proven experience designing and scaling cloud-based systems
- Comfortable working in small teams with limited resources
- Experience supporting companies through pre-seed, seed or Series A stages
- Strong communication skills and a product- and commercially minded approach
Nice to Have
- Background starting in a Big Tech or large SaaS environment, followed by a move into startup or scale-up companies
- Experience building platforms or engineering teams from scratch
- Exposure to AI-driven or data-intensive products
Why Apply
- Senior leadership role at a critical growth stage
- £80,000–£100,000 base salary plus meaningful equity
- Hybrid working: 3 days per week in a Central London office
- Opportunity to shape both technology and engineering culture from the ground up
Chief Technology Officer employer: W Talent
Contact Detail:
W Talent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Technology Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fintech space and let them know you're on the lookout for CTO roles. Personal recommendations can make a huge difference, so don’t be shy about asking for introductions.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your past projects, especially those involving Python and AWS. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical prowess to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your leadership style and technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you would evolve the technical strategy and system architecture for an early-stage startup. They’ll want to see that you can balance speed with scalability!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you a better shot at landing that dream role. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Technology Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Tech: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for technology shine through. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission of building an AI-powered financial platform. Share specific examples of your past projects that demonstrate your hands-on skills and leadership in tech.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your experience with Python, AWS, and any startup environments you've been part of. We love seeing how your unique background can contribute to our early-stage fintech journey.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for the CTO role. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your achievements.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This helps us streamline the process and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at W Talent
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a CTO, you'll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of Python and AWS. Brush up on your technical skills and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've successfully implemented these technologies. Prepare to explain your thought process behind architectural decisions and how they align with business goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires not just technical expertise but also strong leadership. Think about your past experiences in mentoring teams and driving projects. Be prepared to share examples of how you've built and scaled engineering teams, and how you foster a collaborative environment, especially in a startup setting.
✨Align with Their Vision
Understand the company's mission and how their AI-powered platform aims to help small businesses. Be ready to discuss how your vision for technology can support their goals, especially as they prepare for Series A funding. Show that you're not just a techie but someone who can contribute to the overall business strategy.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly in fast-paced environments. Prepare to discuss how you balanced speed with scalability and maintainability, as this will be crucial for their growth stage.