Chief Technology Officer

About the Role

TRL, a premier UK transport research and safety company trusted by National Highways and the Department for Transport, is undergoing significant transformation under new private equity ownership. Software development is central to the company's strategic future, leading to a need for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to spearhead its commercial and cultural change.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO and maintaining strong visibility with the Board and investment board.
• Drive the commercial restructure of the Software division by introducing structure, processes, and a defined roadmap, transforming a function currently managed with considerable autonomy.
• Lead a team comprising approximately 20 members, including 5 direct reports, managing a large offshore development group of around 120 in India along with UK-based personnel.
• Collaborate closely with sales and revenue leadership to ensure software initiatives align with actual client needs.
• Define and lead the overall software strategy, including the advancement of AI initiatives.
• Engage hands-on in building and shaping the software function from an early-stage setup, as opposed to inheriting an established team and budget.

Candidate Profile

• Experienced executive leadership professional; this role is not suited for first-time executives.
• High emotional intelligence with proven ability to lead change and navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.
• Confident in direct communications with Boards and investment committees.
• Experienced managing diverse stakeholder groups and multiple interests.
• Strong track record in leading transformation and commercialization efforts, capable of packaging a technically proficient but immature function into an investable business.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and developing functions from the ground up.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Background managing globally distributed teams.
• Familiarity with AI strategy formulation and private equity backed corporate transformations.
• Experience or interest in infrastructure and transport sectors is advantageous but not mandatory.