At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global engineering teams and shape technology strategy for innovative software development.
- Company: Established tech business focused on product-led development and operational excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunity to drive impactful change.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with AI and modern engineering practices in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and transform engineering practices with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in software engineering, with strong leadership and transformation experience.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
We are supporting an established technology business in the appointment of a CTO / R&D Director to lead its global software engineering and R&D function.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a senior leadership role responsible for technology strategy, engineering delivery, software quality, architecture, team performance and operational excellence.
A key priority will be transitioning the organisation towards a more product-led development model, while reducing dependency on individual technical experts and strengthening engineering leadership across international teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop global engineering and R&D teams, including engineering managers and technical leads.
- Shape and deliver the technology and engineering strategy.
- Transition the organisation towards a scalable, product-led development model.
- Improve delivery predictability, engineering quality and operational performance.
- Drive greater use of automated testing, Dev Ops and modern engineering practices.
- Establish meaningful engineering KPIs around delivery, quality and recovery.
- Oversee architecture, deployment standards and technical decision-making across cloud and on-premise environments.
- Strengthen succession planning, knowledge sharing and engineering capability.
- Manage third-party development partners and external technical resources.
- Embed secure-by-design principles and support relevant regulatory requirements.
- Lead the organisation's adoption of AI-assisted software development, delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, speed and cost.
About You
We are looking for an experienced technology leader with
- 15+ years' software engineering/technology experience.
- 5+ years' at CTO, VP Engineering, Engineering Director, R&D Director or equivalent level.
- Experience leading distributed international engineering teams.
- A track record of transforming engineering organisations towards product-led development.
- Strong experience within Saa S, enterprise software, cloud, transportation/mobility or another complex software environment.
- Experience developing engineering managers and future technical leaders.
- Strong understanding of modern software engineering, architecture, Dev Ops and cloud technologies.
- Proven experience implementing AI within the software development lifecycle.
- The credibility to work effectively with highly experienced technical specialists while providing clear strategic leadership.
Experience within private equity, acquisitive or multi-business-unit environments would be advantageous, as would additional European language skills.
Chief Technology Officer employer: White Horse Employment
At White Horse Employment, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development programmes and opportunities for advancement within our high-growth international business. Located in a vibrant area, we offer a collaborative environment where innovative ideas are encouraged, making it an ideal place for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Technology Officer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at White Horse Employment or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to White Horse Employment.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like White Horse Employment.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like White Horse Employment that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Technology Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at White Horse Employment.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at White Horse Employment and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at White Horse Employment
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If White Horse Employment uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
