Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

About The Hacking Games (THG)

THG is a recruitment tech startup revolutionizing the cybersecurity industry by connecting unconventional talent with critical cybersecurity roles. We're tackling a global crisis: a massive shortage of cybersecurity professionals at a time when cybercrime is skyrocketing. Our solution? A Gen Z-focused brand that leverages entertainment, social media, and online communities to attract young talent, combined with a powerful AI platform, HAPTAI, that matches their unique skills to employer needs.

Our Vision:To create a generation of ethical hackers to make the world safer.

Our Mission:To bridge the cybersecurity skills gap by identifying, developing, and placing unconventional talent through engaging content and AI-powered skills matching.

Our Stage:We are angel funded, with a seed round opening in June 2025.

The Role

We're seeking a passionate and hands-on CTO to lead the technical vision and development of THG's innovative platform. As a key member of our leadership team, you'll play a vital role in shaping our technology strategy and driving our mission forward. This is a unique opportunity to make a real-world impact by building technology that addresses a critical global challenge.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the technical vision:Define and execute the technical roadmap for THG's platform, ensuring alignment with the company's overall strategy and goals.
• Oversee platform development:Manage the development and maintenance of THG's AI-powered skills matching platform (Haptai) and other technical infrastructure.
• Hands-on development:Contribute directly to coding and development efforts in a lean, agile environment.
• Ensure scalability and security:Architect and implement solutions that ensure platform scalability, security, and reliability as THG grows.
• Data strategy:Develop and implement a robust data strategy for collecting, analyzing, and utilizing data to improve platform performance and insights.
• Team leadership:Build and mentor a high-performing engineering team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Stay ahead of the curve:Continuously research and evaluate new technologies and trends to maintain THG's competitive edge.
• Collaboration:Work closely with other departments, including product, marketing, and operations, to ensure seamless integration of technology across the organization.
• AI Compliance:Lead mitigations on AI biases. Ensure regulatory compliance and bias mitigation
• UI Understanding:UI will be critical to engage talent who may not be users of traditional job boards such as LinkedIn. You’ll need an understanding of how to best resonate with these users through platform design.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience:5+ years of experience as a CTO or in a senior technology leadership role, startup environment is significantly preferred.
• Technical expertise:Strong understanding of software development principles, architectures, and technologies relevant to AI, machine learning, and data analytics.
• Hands-on coding skills:Proficiency in relevant programming languages and frameworks.
• AI/ML experience:Experience with developing and deploying AI/ML models, particularly in the context of skills assessment and matching.
• Agile methodology:Experience working in an agile development environment.
• Startup mindset:A passion for building innovative solutions and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get things done in a fast-paced environment.
• Cybersecurity interest:A strong interest in cybersecurity and a desire to contribute to the growth of the industry.
• Global Perspective:An ability to see macro trends in the global cybersecurity market as part of an international business.

Bonus Points:

• Data and AI experience
• Experience with gamification and online community building.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity concepts and technologies.
• Experience with data visualization and reporting.

Benefits:

• Be part of a mission-driven company tackling a global challenge.
• Work with AI first, cutting-edge technology and contribute to the future of cybersecurity.
• Competitive salary and equity options.
• Flexible working opportunities
• Opportunity for growth and leadership within a rapidly scaling startup.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and a cover letter explaining your passion for technology and interest in THG's mission to