Find tech leaders who provide direction and help engineers perform at their best.
Behind every strong development team stands a tech leader who provides direction. Someone who not only makes technical decisions, but also helps engineers grow, brings stability to complex environments, and balances innovation with delivery. These kinds of professionals are scarce. Strong Engineering Managers and CTOs rarely respond to job postings. They become interested when the story, ambition, and substance of the role truly resonate.
At Haystack People, we help e-commerce, platform, and SaaS organizations find experienced tech leaders who align with their growth stage and ambitions. From Lead Developer and Solution Architect to Engineering Manager, VP Engineering, or Fractional CTO professionals with a proven track record in building teams, making strategic technology decisions, and balancing innovation, delivery, and technical debt.
Our consultants understand the nuances of this field such as the difference between a hands-on CTO and a leader who primarily focuses on managing and scaling teams. Thanks to our network and personal approach, we also engage with experienced leaders who are not actively job hunting, but are open to a strong, compelling story when it comes along.
What you might want to know
Engineering Managers typically earn between €80,000 and €110,000 per year. Fractional or interim CTOs usually work on a daily rate ranging from €800 to €1,500. At scale-ups, equity or stock options often play an important role in the overall compensation package.
That depends on your organization’s stage of development and the challenges within your team. An internal promotion can be a strong choice for continuity and cultural fit, while an external hire can bring fresh perspectives and additional experience. We’re happy to think along with you about what the best option is in your specific situation.
For leadership roles, we look far beyond technical expertise. We also assess communication style, leadership approach, decision-making, and how someone handles resistance and change. This gives you a much more complete picture of how a candidate is likely to perform within your engineering culture.
Sometimes, we’re able to introduce the first candidates within just a few days, thanks to our strong network. However, the quality of the match always comes first. On average, the search process for this type of role takes between 4 and 8 weeks.
Want to have a quick chat first?
Good idea! We’re happy to show you why the search for your most valuable strengths is in good hands with us. Leave a message. We’ll get back to you within 2 days.
