Role Overview for Chief Technology Officer – Cybersecurity & AI SaaS Company | Tampa, FL
JRG Partners is proud to represent a pioneering, venture-backed Cybersecurity & AI SaaS company based in the vibrant tech hub of Tampa, Florida. Our client is at the forefront of developing next-generation solutions that protect enterprises from the most sophisticated digital threats. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning, they provide predictive, real-time threat intelligence and automated response capabilities that are redefining the cybersecurity landscape. As they enter a period of hyper-growth, they are seeking a transformative, visionary, and hands-on Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to join their executive team.
This is a career-defining opportunity for a technology leader who is passionate about building world-class products and teams. The CTO will be the driving force behind the company’s technology vision, strategy, and execution. You will be responsible for leading all aspects of product development, engineering, research, and infrastructure. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be a key partner in shaping the company’s future, ensuring our technology platform is scalable, secure, and innovative enough to maintain its competitive edge. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with deep technical expertise in both cybersecurity and AI, coupled with a proven track record of scaling technology organizations in a fast-paced SaaS environment. You will be instrumental in fostering a culture of engineering excellence, collaboration, and relentless innovation.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Technology Officer – Cybersecurity & AI SaaS Company | Tampa, FL
As the Chief Technology Officer, you will own the entire technology roadmap and delivery. Your responsibilities will be broad and impactful, including:
Technology Vision & Strategy
Develop and articulate a compelling long-term technology vision and strategy that aligns with the company’s ambitious business goals. Translate this strategy into a clear, actionable roadmap for the engineering and product teams.
Leadership & Team Development
Lead, mentor, and expand a high-performing team of software engineers, data scientists, security researchers, and product managers. Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Champion professional development and create pathways for growth within the organization.
Product Development & Delivery
Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, from ideation and requirements gathering to development, testing, deployment, and iteration. Implement and refine agile development methodologies to ensure rapid and high-quality product delivery.
Architectural Oversight
Drive the architectural direction of the SaaS platform, ensuring it is highly scalable, reliable, secure, and performant. Make critical decisions regarding technology stacks, frameworks, and infrastructure to support exponential user growth and data volume.
Innovation & Research
Champion research and development efforts to stay ahead of industry trends. Drive innovation in AI/ML model development and the application of cutting-edge cybersecurity threat intelligence to solve complex customer problems.
Security & Compliance
Embed a ‘security-first’ mindset throughout the development process (DevSecOps). Ensure the platform and company operations adhere to the highest standards of security and data privacy, maintaining compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR).
Budget & Resource Management
Develop and manage the technology budget, making strategic investments in talent, tools, and infrastructure to maximize ROI. Effectively allocate resources to align with product priorities and business objectives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with the CEO, CRO, and other executive leaders to ensure tight alignment between technology initiatives and business strategy. Serve as the primary technology evangelist to the board, investors, customers, and partners.
Technical Due Diligence
Act as the key technical stakeholder in partnership discussions, M&A opportunities, and fundraising activities, providing expert analysis and due diligence.
Requirements for the Chief Technology Officer – Cybersecurity & AI SaaS Company | Tampa, FL
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished technology executive with a history of success in high-growth SaaS environments. We are looking for a unique blend of technical depth, strategic thinking, and inspirational leadership.
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is required. A Master’s or PhD is highly preferred.
Executive Leadership Experience
A minimum of 15 years of experience in software development, with at least 7-10 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., CTO, VP of Engineering) for a B2B SaaS company.
Domain Expertise
Deep, demonstrable expertise in the cybersecurity domain (e.g., threat intelligence, network security, endpoint protection, SIEM, SOAR) and a strong understanding of AI/ML concepts and their practical application in software products.
Proven Scaling Experience
A proven track record of scaling a technology organization, platform, and processes from an early stage to significant market traction. Experience managing distributed teams is a plus.
Technical Acumen
Hands-on experience with modern cloud architectures (AWS, Azure, or GCP), microservices, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines. Proficiency in multiple programming languages and data technologies.
Product-Oriented Mindset
A strong product sensibility and a passion for building elegant, user-centric solutions that solve real-world problems.
Business Acumen
Exceptional business acumen with the ability to understand market dynamics, engage with customers, and contribute to the overall corporate strategy.
Communication Skills
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Cultural Fit
A collaborative, humble, and results-oriented leader who can thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client believes in investing in their people and offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your professional and personal well-being.
Executive Compensation
A highly competitive salary, annual performance-based bonus, and a significant equity stake in a high-growth company.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents.
Retirement Planning
A 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Flexible Time Off
A flexible paid time off (PTO) policy, encouraging you to take the time you need to rest and recharge.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for conferences, training, certifications, and other professional growth opportunities.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for the right candidate to move to the sunny and thriving Tampa Bay area.
Work Environment
A modern, collaborative office space equipped with the latest technology and amenities.
How to Apply
This is a retained search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary technology leader with a passion for cybersecurity and AI, and you are ready to make a significant impact on a rapidly growing company, we want to hear from you. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role.
To be considered for this and other exclusive executive opportunities, we encourage you to connect with JRG Partners’ AI-Native CTO & CIO Executive Search Practice Area. Our team of specialized recruiters is dedicated to connecting transformative leaders with game-changing companies.
