Remote Chief Technology Officer (CTO) - FinTech Startup

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Health insurance

Flexible remote work

Professional development budget

Conferences & training

Remote global team

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Chief Technology Officer to spearhead technology strategy, architecture, and security in a remote-first FinTech environment. You will define the roadmap, scale platforms, and mentor a high-performing engineering team across locations.

You will own cloud strategy (AWS/Azure/GCP), CI/CD, cybersecurity governance, and budget oversight, while aligning tech with regulatory requirements and product goals across markets.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years leading technology teams in FinTech or software.
• Experience scaling complex platforms and managing large teams.
• Deep knowledge of cloud platforms, microservices, and CI/CD.
• Cybersecurity expertise and financial regulatory understanding.
• Strong strategic thinking and remote leadership skills.
• Experience with agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban).
• Proven ability to manage tech budgets and P&L.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the technology strategy and roadmap.
• Oversee SDLC to deliver scalable, secure products.
• Lead and grow software, DevOps, and IT teams.
• Ensure robust, scalable, secure infrastructure.
• Drive innovation with new technologies and methodologies.
• Manage technology budget and resource allocation.
• Establish coding standards and QA practices.
• Oversee cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with executives to align tech with business goals.
• Represent tech vision to investors and partners.

Skills

Leadership

Cloud computing

Cybersecurity

FinTech domain

Agile leadership

P&L management

Education

Master's or PhD in Computer Science or related field

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

CI/CD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an innovative and rapidly growing FinTech startup, is seeking a visionary Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead their technological development and infrastructure. This is a fully remote leadership position, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere in South Africa. As CTO, you will be responsible for defining the company's technology vision, strategy, and roadmap, overseeing all aspects of software development, IT operations, and cybersecurity. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background, extensive experience in scaling technology platforms, and a deep understanding of the FinTech landscape. You will play a crucial role in driving product innovation, ensuring system scalability and reliability, and building a world-class engineering team. This remote-first role requires exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to inspire and mentor a high-performing technical team in a fast-paced, agile environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the company's overall technology strategy and roadmap in alignment with business goals.
• Oversee all software development lifecycle (SDLC) activities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, scalable, and secure products.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a talented team of software engineers, DevOps specialists, and IT professionals.
• Ensure the robustness, scalability, and security of the company's technology infrastructure and platforms.
• Drive innovation by exploring and implementing new technologies and methodologies.
• Develop and manage the technology budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
• Establish and enforce best practices for software development, coding standards, and quality assurance.
• Oversee cybersecurity initiatives and ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, product management, and other departments to align technology initiatives with business objectives.
• Represent the company's technological vision to investors, partners, and the wider tech community.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 12 years of experience in technology leadership roles, with a significant track record in the FinTech or software development industry.
• Proven experience in scaling complex technology platforms and managing large engineering teams.
• Deep understanding of cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), microservices architecture, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Expertise in cybersecurity best practices and relevant financial compliance regulations.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate remote teams.
• Experience with agile development methodologies (Scrum, Kanban).
• Demonstrated ability to manage technology budgets and P&L.
• Passion for innovation and emerging technologies in the FinTech space.

Benefits

• Executive compensation package including a competitive base salary, significant equity options, and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and flexible remote work policies.
• Budget for professional development, conferences, and training.
• Opportunity to build and lead a cutting-edge technology stack for a disruptive FinTech company.
• A truly remote-first culture with a global team.
• Direct impact on the company's product innovation and market success.
• Access to the latest tools and technologies.
• Work-life balance emphasized in a supportive environment.
• Chance to shape the future of financial technology.