CTO

Harnham; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Chief Technical Officer to lead their technology function. This pivotal role involves driving IT strategy, overseeing infrastructure, and managing high-performing teams in a fast-growing ecommerce environment. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in software development, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity, coupled with strong leadership and strategic planning skills. Join a dynamic team where your contributions will shape the future of a leading online retail business, ensuring operational excellence and innovation in technology.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in technical software development and IT leadership.
• 5+ years at Director or Head of Department level.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a three-year tech strategy aligned with business goals.
• Oversee IT operations, governance, security, and business continuity planning.
• Drive successful delivery of complex, cross-functional IT projects.

Skills

Agile

DevOps

Cybersecurity

Cloud Infrastructure

Strategic Planning

Budgeting

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Management

Job description

Chief Technical Officer
Location: Oxford (3 days in office, 2 days WFH)
Salary: £120,000 (Can be slightly flexible on this)

We're working with our client, a global leader in online retail and one of the top 10 third-party sellers on Amazon and eBay, to recruit a Chief Technical Officer. This is a key leadership role, driving IT strategy and shaping the future of a fast-growing, multi-brand ecommerce business.

Role Overview:
You'll be responsible for the strategic direction, development, and operational excellence of the organisation's technology function. This includes overseeing infrastructure, leading internal and outsourced development teams, and delivering high-impact projects. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on technology leader with a strong grasp of cloud, DevOps, and cybersecurity, paired with excellent team leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a three-year tech strategy aligned with business goals
• Evaluate and enhance existing infrastructure and development processes
• Lead and grow high-performing onshore/offshore tech teams
• Oversee IT operations, governance, security, and business continuity planning
• Drive the successful delivery of complex, cross-functional IT projects
• Manage vendor relationships and technology budgets
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence

Requirements:

• Essential:
  • 7+ years in technical software development and IT leadership
  • 5+ years at Director or Head of Department level
  • Strong knowledge of Agile, DevOps, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure
  • Excellent communication, budgeting, and strategic planning skills
  • Proven experience leading change, improving SDLCs, and managing cross-functional teams
• Desirable:
  • Experience in ecommerce or marketplace-based retail
  • Familiarity with KPIs/OKRs and scaling technology in fast-growth environments
  • Track record of implementing IT best practices across security, infrastructure, and vendor management