The VP of Engineering is a senior executive who manages development teams and is responsible for the technical strategy and execution of the company’s products or services.
In other words, a Vice President of Engineering is responsible for:
If the CTO knows the destination then a VP is identifying the route.
A VPE has three primary tasks:
To make all of this happen, the VP of engineering needs to focus on who is doing the work and how they are doing it. Let’s now explain these tasks in more detail.
While the core responsibilities of a VP of Engineering remain consistent across different company stages, there are notable differences in emphasis and focus between start-ups and fast-growing companies.
The following table best sums it up:
Feature | VP of Engineering in Start-Ups | VP of Engineering in Fast-Growing Companies |
---|---|---|
Primary Focus | Building foundations, hands-on involvement | Scaling the organisation, delegation, strategic focus |
Team Size | Small, close-knit team | Larger, potentially distributed teams |
Resources | Limited, requiring resourcefulness | More resources available, but efficient allocation remains crucial |
Decision-Making | More centralised, often made by the VP directly | More decentralised, empowering engineering managers |
Technical Direction | More fluid, adaptable to change | More defined, but still needs to maintain agility |
In essence:
Both roles require a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership skills and business acumen, but the emphasis shifts as the company evolves.
We’ll now explain responsibilities in more detail, separately for start-ups and fast-growing companies.
The emphasis is on building foundations. Hence, the VP of Engineering in a start-up focuses on these three areas:
As you can expect, in start-ups, VPEs have more hands-on involvement with coding, architecture and technical decision-making due to smaller team size and limited resources.
Limited budgets and resources demand creative problem-solving and efficient resource allocation. This often requires pivoting which means that the VP of Engineering must be highly adaptable and able to adjust the technical direction quickly in response to changing market needs and/or immediate state of funds.
And as we move to the next stage of the company’s development, things change.
In this stage, the VPEs play a more significant role in aligning the technical roadmap with the company’s evolving business goals and long-term vision. The focus, therefore, shifts towards scaling the engineering organisation, processes and infrastructure to accommodate rapid growth. This usually includes:
And since the team grows, the Vice President of Engineering needs to delegate effectively, empower engineering managers and foster a culture of ownership and accountability.
While scaling is crucial, the VPE must preserve the company’s agility and, thus, the ability to innovate quickly in a competitive landscape. Here is a quick guide to do this job effectively:
1. Modularise the architecture:
2. Empower autonomous teams:
3. Streamline processes:
4. Invest in the right infrastructure:
5. Foster a culture of learning and experimentation:
6. Prioritise communication and collaboration:
7. Hire for agility:
These seven strategies will ensure agility and responsiveness even in times of rapid growth (a unicorn effect).
The VP of Engineering and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) have distinct focuses and responsibilities. Here’s a breakdown of their key differences:
In summary, we can say that the CTO is a visionary with an outward focus who drives innovation by thinking about the bigger picture. The VP of Engineering, on the other hand, is an execution expert with an inward focus that demonstrates superior problem-solving skills and operational excellence.
And here is the good analogy that best describes these differences.
Imagine a car company. The CTO is like the chief designer, envisioning the future of automobiles, researching new technologies and shaping the overall brand identity. The VP of Engineering is like the head of manufacturing, ensuring that the cars are built efficiently, meet quality standards and are delivered to customers on time.
Key Differences Summarised:
Feature | CTO | VP of Engineering |
---|---|---|
Focus | Strategic vision and innovation | Operational execution and delivery |
Orientation | External and future-facing | Internal and present-focused |
Responsibility | Setting technology direction | Building and managing engineering teams |
Metrics | Market leadership, innovation impact | Project delivery, engineering efficiency |
In many organisations, the VP of Engineering reports to the CTO. This structure allows for clear alignment between the technical vision and its execution. However, in some cases, both roles may report directly to the CEO, especially in smaller companies.
Ultimately, the specific responsibilities and relationship between the CTO and VP of Engineering can vary depending on the company’s size, structure and industry.
The average salary for a Vice President of Engineering in the United States varies depending on the source and factors such as experience, location and company size. Here are some recent figures:
In the UK, figures are somewhat different:
These figures should give you a good idea of what to expect for this role in the UK. And you can search for VP Engineering jobs by visiting any of these links, of course.
Becoming a great VP of Engineering is a journey that requires a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership acumen and strategic thinking. It’s about more than just writing code; it’s about building and empowering high-performing teams, driving innovation and aligning technology with business goals.
And here’s a handy roadmap to that role:
1. Master Your Craft:
2. Cultivate Leadership Skills:
3. Embrace Strategic Thinking:
5. Seek Opportunities for Growth:
We work with people in this role from around the world, helping them build the leadership skills and confidence to progress their career to the most senior roles including CTO.
If you’d like more information about what it takes to become a VP of Engineering, get in touch with us.
90 Things You Need To Know To Become an Effective CTO
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