Interim Chief Technology Officer | Technology / SaaS Portfolio Company | 4-Month Engagement The Opportunity

JTE are excited to be partnering with a Technology/SaaS business, recently acquired by a private equity firm, in the search for an Interim Chief Technology Officer. The mandate is to lead the technology function through a critical period of transition — from founder-led ownership to institutional, private equity ownership.

This is a high-visibility engagement for an experienced technology executive with a strong track record, and who understands that the first months of PE ownership set the trajectory for investment goals.

About the Role The Interim CTO will report directly to the CEO and take full ownership of the technology function during this transition period. The mandate is clear: bring stability, clarity, and pace to a business moving from founder instinct to institutional discipline, and build a technology roadmap that works for the enterprise, its functions, and the investment strategy simultaneously.

The successful candidate will be expected to make key strategic decisions, take real accountability, and leave the business materially stronger and better positioned than they found it.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the technology function through the transition from founder ownership to private equity ownership, bringing structure, governance, and institutional rigour where needed
- Build a technology roadmap that enables the enterprise and its functions, while directly supporting the PE partner's investment and value creation strategy
- Make key build vs. partner decisions across the technology estate, grounded in commercial judgement rather than technical preference alone
- Review and assess third-party and offshoring opportunities, identifying where they genuinely serve the business versus where they introduce unnecessary risk
- Assess the organisation's current technology and delivery maturity honestly, and shape a roadmap that is realistic for where the business is today while setting it up for where it needs to be




- Withstand and manage pressure from a wide range of stakeholders — founders, CEO, ELT, Board, and PE partner — bringing independent judgement rather than simply telling each party what they want to hear
- Provide clear, credible reporting to the CEO, Board, and investors on technology risk, priorities, and investment decisions
- Stabilise and, where required, uplift technology leadership and delivery capability, leaving a clear foundation and, if applicable, a well-prepared handover to the permanent CTO

The Successful Applicant

- A strong track record as a CTO or senior technology leader, with specific prior experience operating through PE ownership transitions or comparable periods of significant organisational change
- Proven ability to build a technology roadmap that is explicitly aligned to business maturity, strategy, and investment priorities — not a generic best-practice template
- Sound, well-reasoned judgement on build vs. partner decisions and third-party/offshoring strategy, balancing cost, capability, control, and risk
- Resilience and independence of mind — genuinely comfortable withstanding pressure from multiple senior stakeholders with competing priorities, and confident enough to hold a considered position
- Prior interim or transformation-focused experience is highly advantageous, with the ability to move at pace and deliver real outcomes within a defined, time-limited engagement
- Strong commercial and technical fluency across modern SaaS architecture, delivery, and technology operating models, sufficient to direct and challenge technical teams and vendors
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with credibility at CEO, Board, and PE sponsor level
- Experience within a Technology/SaaS business is highly desirable

Engagement Details

This is an initial 4-month engagement, with the potential for extension should a structured handover period to a permanent CTO be required.

Why This Role

This is an chance for a seasoned technology executive to make a fast, tangible impact at a defining moment for the business.

📌 Interim CTO (Melbourne)
🏢 Jacob Thomas Executive
📍 Melbourne