Chief Technology Officer

TradeWindow; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

TradeWindow in Auckland seeks an experienced Chief Technology Officer to own the end-to-end technology strategy, platform architecture, and leadership of the Technology function in a growth-stage SaaS company.

You will lead cross-functional teams, drive platform modernisation, and partner with the CEO and Board to deliver scalable, commercially focused technology solutions for global trade and logistics.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive technology experience with 5+ years in senior leadership in SaaS or enterprise software.
• Proven track record delivering modern SaaS platforms with API-first designs and microservices.
• Experience leading platform modernisation and product consolidation.
• Deep cloud-native expertise (AWS/Azure), data modelling, and AI/ML integration.
• Strong communication with SLT/Board and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute company-wide technology strategy and roadmap.
• Lead platform architecture evolution and shared services.
• Oversee Technology and Product teams across legacy and new capabilities.
• Design scalable integration layers and API-led patterns.
• Establish standards, governance, guardrails, and development practices.
• Mentor teams and report programme progress to SLT and Board.
• Provide hands-on architectural leadership during build, validation, release.

Skills

Executive leadership

SaaS architecture

Cloud-native

API-led design

AI in development

Stakeholder management

Jira

GitHub

CI/CD

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS or related field

Tools

AWS/Azure

Cloud platforms

Architecture tools

Job description

About TradeWindow

TradeWindow is a fast-growing, NZX/ASX-listed technology company transforming global trade and logistics. Our digital platform simplifies complex international trade processes for freight forwarders, shippers, and customs stakeholders. We combine deep domain expertise with modern technology to solve real-world challenges in global supply chains.

We’re a diverse, high-performing team of subject matter experts who value creativity, collaboration, and delivering the best work of our lives. We’re looking for a visionary technology leader to help take our platform to the next level.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to own the end-to-end technology strategy, platform architecture, and leadership of our Technology function. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be the primary design authority and technical governance lead, playing a pivotal role in executing our major platform modernisation programme on time and within budget.

This is a high-impact executive role for a hands-on leader who thrives in a lean, growth-stage SaaS environment and is passionate about building scalable, commercially effective technology solutions in the TradeTech sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the company-wide technology strategy and roadmap.
• Lead the design and evolution of the TradeWindow platform architecture, including shared services (workflows, document processing, customs, operational services), reusable components, and support for freight forwarder and shipper operating models.
• Actively manage the Technology and Product teams, overseeing both legacy product teams (stability & revenue protection) and innovative squads focused on new capabilities.
• Design and implement a scalable integration layer, shared data models, and API-led patterns to consolidate products and eliminate duplication using cloud based technologies.
• Establish platform standards, governance, technical guardrails, and development practices that ensure long-term scalability, security, and maintainability.
• Leverage AI tools and techniques (AI-assisted coding, automated testing, intelligent workflows) to significantly accelerate development velocity.
• Drive complex architectural decisions, produce option papers for SLT review and ensure solutions deliver clear commercial outcomes (revenue growth, cost reduction).
• Provide hands-on architectural leadership during build, validation, release, and customer deployment phases.
• Contribute to governance processes with regular reporting to SLT and the Board on risks, dependencies, and programme progress.
• Mentor and upskill the team on modern platform engineering practices while operating with fierce efficiency and strong commercial discipline.

About You

You bring a rare combination of deep technical expertise, proven executive leadership, and pragmatic delivery focus suited to a growth-stage listed SaaS company.

Essential Experience & Skills

• 10+ years progressive technology experience, with at least 5 years in senior leadership roles (CTO, VP Engineering, or Principal/Senior Platform Architect) in SaaS or enterprise software.
• Strong track record designing and delivering modern SaaS platforms — microservices, API-first/API-led designs, event-driven systems, shared services, and scalable integration layers.
• Demonstrated success leading platform modernisation and product consolidation initiatives (legacy to unified platform).
• Deep expertise in cloud-native architectures (AWS/Azure preferred), shared data modelling, complex workflow orchestration, usage-based monetisation, and embedded AI/ML.
• Experience leveraging AI tools to accelerate development and operations.
• Domain familiarity with logistics, freight forwarding, trade compliance, or high-volume transaction systems is highly advantageous.
• Excellent people leadership skills with experience building and mentoring high-performing cross-functional teams in lean environments.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills — able to translate complex technical concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences (SLT, Board, Sales, Customers).
• Hands-on proficiency with Jira, GitHub, CI/CD, cloud platforms, and architecture tools.
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Why Join TradeWindow?

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a listed TradeTech platform that powers global commerce. You’ll have significant autonomy, direct CEO and Board exposure, and the chance to deliver meaningful impact in an industry ripe for digital transformation.

If you are a strategic yet hands-on technology leader who is excited by platform architecture, AI acceleration, and building scalable solutions in a commercially focused environment, we would love to hear from you.

TradeWindow is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.