About The Opportunity
Harrison Gray Search has been retained by a mission-driven start-up in the retirement technology space to identify its next
Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This public benefit corporation is dedicated to reimagining retirement security in the U.S. through innovative, pension-like solutions that “pensionize the 401(k)” by blending the best aspects of defined benefit and defined contribution systems.
The company’s first focus is operating a pooled employer retirement plan for charter schools, offering both 401(k) and 403(b) options, with plans to expand across additional industries. A cornerstone of this vision is building a participant-facing digital platform that empowers individuals to engage with their retirement accounts, access personalized income planning resources, and build long-term financial confidence.
Location
Fully Remote
The Role
The Chief Technology Officer will join the founding leadership team and lead the design, development, and scaling of the organization’s technology platform. This position blends strategic vision with hands-on technical execution. The CTO will spearhead the development of a participant portal built on top of the recordkeeping infrastructure, ensuring the platform is scalable, secure, compliant, and well-positioned for long-term growth.
Key Responsibilities
Technology Vision & Leadership
- Define and execute the technology roadmap aligned with the organization’s mission.
- Ensure scalability, security, and regulatory compliance.
- Anticipate fintech and retirement tech trends to drive innovation.
Product Development
- Lead development of a participant portal integrated with recordkeeping systems.
- Create tools that deliver transparency, education, and personalized planning.
- Establish coding standards, sprint cycles, and testing protocols.
Hands-On Technical Contribution
- Contribute directly to coding, architecture, and problem-solving.
- Oversee API integrations and connections with third-party data providers.
Team & Vendor Management
- Recruit, mentor, and manage engineering talent as the company grows.
- Evaluate and oversee external technology vendors and contractors.
- Continuous Improvement
- Incorporate participant feedback into product iterations.
- Expand platform capabilities as new industry sectors are added.
Qualifications
Experience
- 7+ years in software engineering with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role (CTO, VP Engineering, or equivalent).
- Track record of building fintech, retirement tech, or financial services products (preferred).
- Strong understanding of security, compliance, and data privacy in financial services.
Technical Skills
- Full-stack engineering expertise with modern frameworks.
- Experience with API integrations and recordkeeping systems.
- Cloud infrastructure and DevOps experience (AWS, GCP, or similar).
Leadership & Mission Fit
- Ability to balance long-term strategic vision with hands-on execution.
- Passion for expanding retirement security and contributing to public-benefit technology.
- Strong communication skills with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
Compensation And Benefits
- Target Compensation: $175,000 - $200,000 based on experience
- Performance Bonus: 10% of salary
- Equity Stake in Company
- Retirement Match at 6%
- Health plan covers 100% of premiums for employees and dependents
