VP of Engineering roles

VP of Engineering – what does this role look like in 2022?

The role of VP of Engineering has certainly changed over the years. In a tech-driven world, there are so many different areas in a team that work towards one company objective. A VP of Engineering (or VPE) is responsible for a large chunk of these areas.

It’s not just about the skills – it’s about leadership and knowing how to manage many personality types within the team. In 2022, with so much remote working and leadership, this landscape has changed.

What does a VP of Engineering do?

A VPE is often responsible for creating a technical road map for a company that aligns with the vision of the business. This road map should be in line with the technical framework to achieve that vision. As such, a VPE will have a thorough understanding of engineering processes.

The role is challenging and varied, with many responsibilities that include…

  • Working closely with the CTO to develop technical strategies and processes
  • Solid leadership and mentorship of the team, particularly engineers and technical staff
  • Encourage regular collaboration to create a supportive culture that gets the work done
  • Work across multiple departments, like marketing and business development, to develop cohesive product and company strategies
  • Identifying technological developments and also inefficiencies that can be improved
  • Budget management, so projects are prepared and optimised when it comes to costs

The most important traits and skills of a VPE

As with any senior executive, leadership traits should be prioritised in order to maximize business growth. For VPE’s, what traits should a company look for?

  • Decisive action: Waiting for more data or results to make informed decisions isn’t always an option in fast moving industries. A great VPE will know this and be able to make tough but correct decisions under time pressure.
  • A thorough understanding of engineering processes: The ability to create or fix processes does not happen overnight. A VPE should have a proven track record of this. Are new processes needed or can the existing ones be built upon?
  • Leveraging the data and tools at your disposal: A great VPE will know to look beyond the leaders of their teams. They will tap into the knowledge of the whole team so they get the bigger picture, not a narrow version of it.
  • An eye for talent: Experience in recruiting engineers is integral. Knowing what skills are required and having an eye for top engineering talent will mean the VPE is building a solid team with success in mind.
  • Soft skills: As you know, every role requires important soft skills. What are the most important to you? Communication, attention to detail and knowledge of industry trends are important in the engineering world.
  • Technical skills: A degree in engineering is a given. Furthermore, experience in software design and development of customer focused platforms are required. Experience with DevOps teams and agile architecture should come naturally to a VPE.

Looking for a new VP of Engineering opportunity?

We can help! We are working on many incredible roles right now, offering to take you to the pinnacle of your career. Submit your CV to the team or browse the latest senior IT jobs on our jobs page!

Related posts