Chief Technology Officer

Are you ready to make your mark on the world? At Climate Pros, we're not just adapting to industry innovations; we're leading them. We are on the brink of revolutionizing the commercial refrigeration and HVAC industry with disruptive software that promises to redefine our sector as profoundly as Google redefined Internet search. We need a visionary Chief Technology Officer (CTO) who is not just seeking a job but an epoch-making career in crafting technologies that transform industries.

About Climate Pros and WatchTower:

From preventive maintenance and remote diagnostics to equipment monitoring and automated call dispatching, WatchTower from Climate Pros keeps your operation ahead of the curve. It’s the first software offering in the industry developed by technicians who understand your business — and it’s the only digital service solution backed by the refrigeration and HVAC experts of Climate Pros.

Job Responsibilities:

As our CTO, you will lead the development team and execution of pioneering modern, cloud-based software solutions in commercial refrigeration and HVAC. Your leadership will be crucial in managing our technology roadmap and ensuring that our software not only meets current industry needs but sets new standards for innovation and efficiency. Additionally, you will be responsible for the internal IT and security organization. You will work closely with our executive team to align technological advancements with business goals, driving growth and significant industry impact.

Key Qualifications:

• Visionary thinker with a proven track record of innovation and problem-solving.
• Deductive thinker with strong analytical skills and methodical approach to technology development.
• Ability to multitask effectively and lead multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience as a project leader, guiding teams through complex software development cycles.
• Self-reliant and proactive, capable of taking initiative and driving projects forward independently.
• Expertise in modern software development practices, particularly in cloud-based solutions.
• Strong understanding of IT infrastructure and cybersecurity principles.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Software Development Leadership: Collaborate with multiple departments internally and deliver new products, features and functionality with continuous release.
• Digital Transformation Leadership: Drive digital transformation initiatives to modernize systems, processes, and technologies to enhance the organization's digital capabilities and competitiveness.
• Data Governance and Analytics: Develop and implement data governance policies and practices to ensure the quality, integrity, and security of data assets. Utilize data analytics to derive actionable insights for informed decision-making.
• Innovation and Research: Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, conducting research and feasibility studies to assess their potential impact on the organization. Champion innovation initiatives to leverage technology for strategic advantage.
• Risk Management: Assess and mitigate IT-related risks, including cybersecurity threats, data breaches, and regulatory compliance issues. Develop and maintain robust risk management strategies and contingency plans.
• Strategic Partnerships: Cultivate strategic partnerships with technology vendors, industry peers, and academic institutions to foster innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
• Change Management: Lead change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new technologies, processes, and organizational practices. Provide guidance and support to employees through periods of transition.
• Customer Experience Enhancement: Collaborate with business units to enhance the customer experience through technology-driven solutions, such as personalized services, seamless omnichannel experiences, and self-service capabilities.
• IT Governance and Performance Measurement: Establish IT governance frameworks, policies, and standards to optimize IT investments, ensure alignment with business goals, and measure performance against key metrics.
• Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity: Develop and maintain comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity plans to minimize downtime and mitigate the impact of IT disruptions on business operations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards pertaining to data protection, privacy, and cybersecurity, including GDPR, SOC 2 (Type 2), HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOX.
• Talent Development and Succession Planning: Build and nurture a high-performing technology team through talent acquisition, training, mentoring, and succession planning. Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Executive Leadership and Board Engagement: Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive leadership team and board of directors, providing insights and recommendations on opportunities, risks, and investments.

Desired Skills, Certifications, and Education:

• Proven experience as a CTO or in a similar leadership role, with a track record of developing transformative technology solutions and leading high-performance development teams.
• Extensive experience in building and managing complex systems, ideally within the commercial refrigeration and HVAC sectors, mechanical or related industries.
• Technology & Leadership Experience:Expertise on the Software Development Life Cycle, from idea to release and support.
• Effective Development Management skills utilizing agile methodologies (e.g. Kanban, SCRUM)
• Manage and effectively grow a high-performing IT and Development team capable of executing strategic initiatives and delivering results.
• Provide visionary leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities to cultivate a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability.
• Foster collaboration and cross-functional teamwork to break down silos and drive collective success across the organization.
• Proficiency in programming languages and frameworks commonly used in modern web-based software development, such as .NET, Python, JavaScript, React, Angular, SQL, NoSQL etc.
• Experience with software architecture design principles, patterns, and best practices.
• Experience with middleware technologies and integration platforms for connecting disparate systems and applications, such as enterprise service buses (ESBs), API gateways, and message brokers.
• Foster a culture of innovation and experimentation to drive continuous improvement and competitive advantage.
• Anticipate future technology requirements and develop roadmaps to ensure scalability, flexibility, and adaptability in a rapidly evolving business environment.
• DevOps & Security Experience:Expertise in cloud computing platforms, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or others.
• Understanding of cloud security best practices, including identity and access management (IAM), data encryption, network security, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience with cloud cost management and optimization techniques to maximize ROI and minimize expenses.
• Knowledge of hybrid and multi-cloud architectures, as well as migration strategies for moving workloads to the cloud.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and best practices, including threat detection and response, vulnerability management, and security incident management.
• Experience implementing security controls and compliance frameworks relevant to cloud environments, such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and GDPR.
• Understanding of secure coding practices and application security testing methodologies to identify and remed