Christian & Timbers, the first tech executive search firm, has announced the emergence of a vital new executive role: the Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO). While demand for the CPTO role was nascent in late 2023, demand has surged by over 110% as of the first half 2024. This shift is based on Christian & Timbers’ interactions with over 100 venture capital- and private equity-backed managing partners.
Initial demand has been from software companies. However, the demand for CPTOs is expected to permeate across industries over the next five years, paralleling the demand of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) role a generation ago. Christian and Timbers was the first executive search firm to identify the CTO as a key position for companies like Autodesk, Progressive and Merrill Lynch. CPTO compensation ranges from a base of $350-$650K plus 30 to 50% bonus, plus equity depending on size and stage of the company. The majority of these new CPTOs are at PE-backed companies.
Jeff Christian, CEO of Christian & Timbers, noted, “We project that the CPTO role will be present in half of software companies within the next 5 years. The CPTO is set to redefine tech leadership by combining critical aspects of product and technology under one strategic leader.”
Why the CPTO Role is Transformative:
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Strategic Innovation and Leadership
The CPTO will spearhead product and technology strategies, utilizing AI to meet market demands. The role is pivotal in navigating the complexities of generative AI. -
Unified Leadership in Product and Technology
By merging product management and technology into a single CPTO role, companies can streamline decision-making and accelerate the integration of product and technology, ensuring a coherent efficient strategy. -
Enhanced Talent Attraction and Retention
This role is designed to attract top-tier professionals with deep expertise in both product management and technology. Companies improve talent acquisition and retention by focusing on leaders capable of navigating the dynamic intersection of product and tech.
The Ideal CPTO Profile:
The ideal CPTO candidate will either have a background as a Chief Product Officer managing efficient engineering teams or a Chief Technology Officer with significant product experience. These professionals will excel in innovation, possess a visionary outlook, and have a deep understanding of customer needs. They must be skilled in deploying AI strategies and leading high-performing AI and machine learning teams.
About Christian & Timbers:
Christian & Timbers is proud to be the first and oldest retained executive search firm serving PE and Venture-backed Technology Companies. For more than four decades, C&T has been a leader in recruiting top CEOs and Executive Leadership across every technology and services sectors.
For more information, visit www.ChristianandTimbers.com.
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