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Engineering

VP Engineering Role

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The role for a VP of Engineering can be difficult to define because different companies treat it differently. Broadly, a VP of engineering is responsible for people management within the engineering organization, a member of the executive team, is responsible for technical execution, and sometimes they're responsible for technical direction. Technical direction responsibility has the most variance - sometimes the VPE reports to a CTO, who is responsible for technical direction.
  1. Learn VP Engineering Role with the Practica AI Coach

    The Practica AI Coach helps you improve in VP Engineering Role by using your current work challenges as opportunities to improve. The AI Coach will ask you questions, instruct you on concepts and tactics, and give you feedback as you make progress.
  2. Intro: What is a VP of Engineering?

    The role of a VP of Engineering is multifaceted and varies depending on the company and its stage of growth. According to Bruno Miranda, the primary responsibility of a VP of Engineering is to ensure the productivity and success of their engineering teams. This involves creating an environment where team members are happy and motivated, as well as providing them with the resources they need to excel. Will Larson acknowledges the different definitions of VP Engineering and CTO roles across companies. For the purpose of his recommendations, he defines a VP of Engineering as an executive team member responsible for technical execution and people management within the engineering organization. Both Bruno and Will agree that the role of a VP of Engineering involves ensuring the productivity and success of engineering teams, identifying the route to achieve goals, and understanding the business and culture of the company. They must listen to team members, optimize processes, and deliver high-quality code and deliverables. Building and managing a qualified team is crucial, as is embodying and channeling the team's values.
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  3. The Role of a VP of Engineering vs. a CTO

    While the CTO usually focuses on providing vision and setting standards for code development, the VP of Engineering is often more focused on managing teams, ensuring efficient workflows, and fostering a strong engineering culture. The specific responsibilities and definitions of these roles can vary across different companies. According to Mark Suster, a CTO is someone who provides the vision for the infrastructure and sets the standards for code development. They are often highly creative and focused on the quality of what is built. A VP of Engineering is more focused on managing teams and ensuring that the trains run on time. They also have strong people management skills and understand the human element of leading a team. Will Larson explains that the roles of CTO and VP of Engineering can vary across different companies. Some companies view the CTO as a senior-most individual contributor, while others see the CTO as responsible for both people and technical aspects of the engineering organization. Similarly, the VP of Engineering can be seen as the engineering people leader or as a proto-CTO. Eric Elliot emphasizes the importance of the VP of Engineering in fostering a culture that manages the "how" of engineering. They monitor the team's progress, process, culture, and communication, and encourage effective collaboration and software development workflows. They also work with product heads and managers to ensure a good product discovery process and adequate review of deliverables by engineers.
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  4. VP of Engineering Skills

    A successful VP of Engineering needs to have a wide range of skills, including technical expertise, organizational Leadership skills, and communication skills. They should also be able to manage resources effectively, work well under pressure, and be able to adapt to changing circumstances.
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  5. How to Perform Well as a New VP of Engineering

    Starting a new role as a VP of Engineering or CTO can be daunting, but with the right advice and resources, it can be a successful and rewarding experience. Lara Hogan, VP of Engineering at Kickstarter, and Will Larson, CTO at Carta, have both written extensively on the topic, offering advice on how to make the most of the first 90 days in the role. Hogan emphasizes the importance of developing relationships with peers, product, and the company board. She also suggests joining a formal or informal peer support group, as it can be a great way to learn from others in the same role. Larson suggests that the first 90 days should be focused on understanding the organization and systems at play, and avoiding the traps of rushing to make changes before understanding the problem, judging without context, and comparing the new role to the last one. He also recommends reading books such as The First 90 Days, Peopleware, Slack, and Accelerate. Ultimately, the key to success in a new executive role is to go in with an open mind, a deep enthusiasm for learning, and a commitment to holding oneself accountable for their approach and results.
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  6. How to Hire a VP of Engineering

    When hiring a VP of Engineering, it is important to look for candidates with a strong technical background, Leadership skills, and a track record of delivering successful products. It is also important to assess their communication skills, ability to manage resources effectively, and their fit with the Company Culture.
  7. VP of Engineering Job Description Examples

    VP of Engineering Job Descriptions should include key responsibilities such as managing the engineering team, overseeing product development, and ensuring that products are delivered on time and within budget. They should also include required Qualifications such as a degree in engineering or a related field, and experience managing teams and delivering successful products.