Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Location: Dallas–Fort Worth Metro Area (Hybrid) Reports To: Chief Executive Officer Compensation: Competitive base salary + performance bonus About the Role Our client, headquartered in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, is seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Technology Officer to lead their technology organization. As CTO, you will own the company's technology vision and strategy, build and scale a high-performing engineering organization, and serve as a key member of the executive leadership team. This is a hands‑on, transformational leadership role. The incoming CTO's first mandate will be to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current technology organization — people, processes, systems, and architecture — and lead a full rebuild of our client's technology stacks. You will define what to keep, what to replace, and what to build, and then execute that modernization while keeping the business running. What You'll Do Organizational Assessment & Technology Rebuild (First Mandate) Conduct a top-to-bottom assessment of the current technology organization, including team structure, skills, processes, vendor relationships, and technical debt Audit the existing technology stacks and deliver a clear findings report with a prioritized modernization roadmap Lead the rebuild of our client's tech stacks — re-platforming, re-architecting, and replacing legacy systems as needed — with minimal disruption to ongoing operations Make and defend keep/replace/rebuild decisions with clear business justification and ROI analysis Technology Strategy & Vision Define and execute a multi-year technology roadmap aligned with company growth objectives Evaluate emerging technologies (AI/ML, cloud, data platforms) and determine where they create competitive advantage Own build-vs-buy decisions, vendor selection, and the overall technology budget Engineering Leadership Recruit, mentor, and retain top engineering talent across software, infrastructure, data, and QA Establish engineering best practices: agile delivery, CI/CD, code quality standards, and documentation Scale the engineering organization thoughtfully as the company grows, including team structure and leadership development Product & Architecture Partner with Product and Design to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions Oversee system architecture decisions to ensure performance, reliability, and maintainability Drive platform modernization initiatives, including cloud migration and infrastructure optimization Security, Compliance & Risk Own the company's cybersecurity posture, data privacy practices, and disaster recovery planning Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and industry frameworks Establish and monitor SLAs, uptime targets, and incident response processes Executive & External Leadership Serve as the technical voice on the executive team and to the board of directors Represent the company with strategic partners, key customers, and investors on technical matters Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders What You Bring Required 12+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, including 5+ years in a senior engineering leadership role (VP of Engineering, CTO, or equivalent) Proven track record of assessing underperforming or legacy technology organizations and leading successful turnarounds or re-platforming initiatives Demonstrated experience rebuilding or modernizing technology stacks (legacy migration, re-architecture, cloud transformation) while maintaining business continuity Proven track record of building and scaling engineering teams (20+ engineers) in a high-growth environment Deep expertise in modern cloud architecture (AWS, Azure, or GCP), SaaS platforms, and API-driven systems Experience owning a technology P&L and managing budgets of $5M+ Strong background in security, compliance, and risk management Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with CEO, CFO, and other executive peers Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience) Preferred Prior experience taking a company through a significant scaling phase, funding round, or exit (M&A/IPO) Hands‑on experience deploying AI/ML capabilities into production products Advanced degree (MS/MBA) Established professional network in the DFW technology community Why DFW / Why Our Client Our client is headquartered in one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the country, with access to deep engineering talent from local universities and relocating companies No state income tax and a lower cost of living than coastal tech markets Hybrid work model with a modern office in the DFW metroplex A true transformation mandate — the opportunity to assess, redesign, and rebuild the technology organization and stack from the ground up Benefits Competitive base salary with performance-based bonus Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage 401(k) with company match Flexible PTO and paid parental leave Relocation assistance available for exceptional candidates #J-18808-Ljbffr