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Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

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Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

#1

Post by dogstraightup »

I'm working directly (I'm a headhunter) with/for a new start-up in the predictive analytics/gaming space in NYC. This company is well-funded (offering a competitive salary and sizable equity >2%).

I know most people on here will be quick to bad mouth recruiters but I'm curious what people's thoughts are on this. One would think this is a relatively attractive position (Chance to manage all the technical architecture/responsibilities, build out your own engineering team, equity, competitive salary, cool product, etc.) Are 4-7 year iOS Devs/Mobile Architects looking to make a career transition that rare?

I'm guessing most Engineers by that level are so well-taken care of or dedicated to their employers that they are unwilling to leave. It also seems the start-up space is quite saturated at this point and the "Exciting Start-up" Opportunity isn't quite as sexy as it was even a few years ago.

Re: Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

#2

Post by czbond »

Maybe they're looking at the wrong targets? I wouldn't in any way call someone with less than 7 years to be VP level - nor would I want them managing staff. That might translate to a beginning Director level at 7 years. But besides that - everyone's frames their opportunity as "Exciting Start-ups" that the phrase is numbing.

Re: Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

#3

Post by cyberpanther »

My theory is first while it is not rare, I think a majority of developers want to stay developers and not really take on that type of role. Just like Captain Kirk, we've rather be commanding a starship than be an admiral. However, I also think it is rare to find an opportunity like you state. Normally a person would grow into this role in a company. I've never seen some one looking for a VP with zero experience. So the people who would like that position probably aren't looking for it. I would love a role like you mention but never been offered anything like that. So part of your problem is just a search issue. The people are out there but you need to find out how to look for them.

Re: Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

#4

Post by dogstraightup »

Appreciate the comments. Its actually funny you mention that, as we were initially titling this role "CTO" which resulted in potential candidates who were just too hands-off by that point in their career. I've restructured the role and search to VP of Engineering just because there will be plenty of coding and hands-on work in the beginning which should ease up as the company hires more engineers.

I'm thinking reworking my ideal profile to 8-12 year candidates that are Directors, Leads, or Architects who are still very hands-on. The tough part of the search is the intangibles, like finding someone who still has the motivation and passion of someone in their early/mid 20's.

Re: Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

#5

Post by cyberpanther »

dogstraightup wrote: post #4

Appreciate the comments. Its actually funny you mention that, as we were initially titling this role "CTO" which resulted in potential candidates who were just too hands-off by that point in their career. I've restructured the role and search to VP of Engineering just because there will be plenty of coding and hands-on work in the beginning which should ease up as the company hires more engineers. I'm thinking rework…

You see you just cut off your whole market. There is no possible way to find someone in their 20's that meets your specs. Also it is really ageist. Look for what you want not the age.

Re: Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

#7

Post by greenyoda »

"I'm guessing most Engineers by that level are so well-taken care of or dedicated to their employers that they are unwilling to leave."

Senior engineers leave their jobs all the time, but to get them to do so you have to offer them at least one of: more interesting work, more money (adjusted for local cost of living), or better working conditions (e.g., private offices for people who prefer them).

And I'd agree with the commenters who said that people who are good developers are not necessarily interested in being managers, and especially not VPs, who are managers of managers of managers, and thus pretty far away from the programming action. After being a director for many years, I decided to go back to being a developer because it made me much happier to write code, not sit in meetings and deal with management issues (hiring, layoffs, performance reviews, fighting for staff raises, employees not getting along with each other, etc.).

Also, there's no guarantee that a good developer would even make a good manager - it requires a whole different set of skills that include empathy, politics and diplomacy. Finding someone who has both programming and management skills would be exceedingly difficult. Better to hire the developer you need now, and if they show aptitude and interest in management, promote them. If not, hire a competent manager to oversee the growing department.

Re: Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

#8

Post by mtmail »

cyberpanther wrote: post #5
dogstraightup wrote: post #4

Appreciate the comments. Its actually funny you mention that, as we were initially titling this role "CTO" which resulted in potential candidates who were just too hands-off by that point in their career. I've restructured the role and search to VP of Engineering just because there will be plenty of coding and hands-on work in the beginning which should ease up as the company hires more engineers. I'm thinking rework…

You see you just cut off your whole market. There is no possible way to find someone in their 20's that meets your specs. Also it is really ageist. Look for what you want not the age.

You've read that wrong (I did, too, the first time). OP was saying "passion of someone in their early/mid 20's." which is just a comparison, not an age requirement.

Re: Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

#9

Post by ajones »

dogstraightup wrote: post #4

Appreciate the comments. Its actually funny you mention that, as we were initially titling this role "CTO" which resulted in potential candidates who were just too hands-off by that point in their career. I've restructured the role and search to VP of Engineering just because there will be plenty of coding and hands-on work in the beginning which should ease up as the company hires more engineers. I'm thinking rework…

That's interesting. Many articles I've read state that the VP of Engineering tends to be more hands off, technically, than a CTO.

Here's a couple great articles that I've pointed people to on a couple occasions: http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/want-to-know-difference-b...

https://medium.com/engineering-leadership/defining-roles-cto...

Re: Why is it so difficult to find a Sr Dev/Lead into VP of Eng role with a Start-up

#10

Post by dogstraightup »

mtmail wrote: post #8
cyberpanther wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You see you just cut off your whole market. There is no possible way to find someone in their 20's that meets your specs. Also it is really ageist. Look for what you want not the age.

You've read that wrong (I did, too, the first time). OP was saying "passion of someone in their early/mid 20's." which is just a comparison, not an age requirement.

Thx...thats correct.
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