Vice President of Product Development

We are a fast-growing start-up, and we are seeking an experienced and visionary VPPD/CTO to lead our technology division.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience managing large technology groups of over 100 R&D employees, possess startup experience, and have a proven track record working with enterprise-level organizations. The VPPD/CTO will oversee the development and execution of our technology strategy, ensuring alignment with our business objectives and driving innovation across our tech stack.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the overall technology strategy, aligned with business goals and objectives.

• Provide visionary leadership and guidance to the R&D teams, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

• Collaborate with executive leadership to define and prioritize technology initiatives that support business growth and efficiency.

• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape to drive continuous improvement and maintain a competitive edge.

Team Management

• Lead and manage a large, diverse team of over 100/200 R&D employees, including software engineers, data scientists, and IT professionals.

• Mentor and develop the technology leadership team, ensuring effective succession planning and talent development.

• Foster a collaborative, inclusive work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and continuous learning.

• Implement and maintain efficient team structures, processes, and workflows to maximize productivity and quality.

Technology Operations

• Oversee the development, deployment, and maintenance of the company’s technology infrastructure and platforms.

• Ensure robust and scalable architecture to support business growth and high availability.

• Implement best practices for software development, data management, and system operations to ensure high quality, security, and compliance.

• Manage budgets, resource allocation, and vendor relationships to optimize technology investments and operational efficiency.

Innovation and Development

• Drive innovation by leveraging the latest technologies, tools, and methodologies.

• Oversee the development and execution of complex data pipelines and scalable data processing frameworks using technologies such as Apache Airflow, Dagster, Dask, Apache Beam, and Pandas.

• Led the advancement of AI and machine learning initiatives using TensorFlow, PyTorch, and nVidia GPUs.

• Ensure effective use of DevOps tools like GitLab, Terraform, Helm Charts, and Argo CI/CD to enhance collaboration and automation.

Enterprise Collaboration

• Act as the primary liaison with enterprise clients and stakeholders, ensuring alignment of technology solutions with client needs and expectations.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key enterprise partners, fostering collaboration and driving joint initiatives.

• Lead the integration of enterprise-level solutions, ensuring seamless interoperability and scalability.

Required Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. An MBA or advanced technical degree is a plus.

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in technology leadership roles, with at least 3/5 years managing large technology teams (100/200+ employees).

• Proven experience in both startup environments and enterprise-level organizations.

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing technology strategies that drive business growth and innovation.

Technical Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of modern technology stacks and tools, including but not limited to:

• Data processing: Apache Airflow, Dagster, Dask, Apache Beam, Pandas.

• Machine learning: TensorFlow, PyTorch, nVidia GPUs.

• DevOps: GitLab, Terraform, Helm Charts, Argo CI/CD.

• Cloud services: GCP, BigQuery, Pub/Sub, Cloud Storage.

• Programming languages and frameworks: Python, Rust, Java, Node.js, NestJS, Angular, Scala.

• Database technologies: ClickHouse, MySQL, Redis.

• Infrastructure management: Kubernetes, Docker, Prometheus.

• Data visualization: Tableau.

Leadership and Management Skills

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate large, diverse teams.

• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with executive leadership, clients, and technical teams.

• Proven ability to manage budgets, resources, and vendor relationships effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI and machine learning projects, including deploying and managing models in production.

• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements in technology and data management.

• Experience with agile development methodologies and practices.

Personal Attributes

• A visionary leader with a passion for technology and innovation.

• Highly collaborative with a strong ability to build and maintain relationships.

• Results-driven with a focus on delivering high-quality solutions that meet business needs.

• Adaptable and resilient, able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.