VP of Engineering

Who we are

Apartment List is the premier rental matchmaker, connecting ready-to-move renters with compatible city properties.  Our renters benefit from cutting-edge technology and a personalized approach when we match them with curated properties that fit their wishlist.  Meanwhile, our supply partners harness our generative AI and machine learning to efficiently connect with our qualified renters.  With performance-based pricing, our partners’ success is our success as we strive to deliver renters a home they love at the value they deserve.

Principal Responsibilities And Expectations

We are seeking a visionary VP of Engineering to join Apartment List, the next generation ILS and premier rental matchmaker for city dwellers ready to move.  As the Vice President of Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the technical direction of the company.  Our ideal next leader brings extensive expertise in guiding engineering teams and spearheading product advancement, harnessing AI and ML innovations, complemented by a deep grasp of user experience and managing complex tech stacks.  This role calls for a strategic leader who champions both our internal team and external marketplace customers.  You're not just a top technologist; you're a talent magnet, passionate about developing people, transforming teams and driving topline performance.  Not only do you embrace the beautiful mess, but you thrive in the gray zone - it’s where you win!  You excel in problem-solving and are able to lead with clarity, especially fostering stability amidst ambiguity and change.

The perfect fit brings extensive AI and machine learning expertise, coupled with a proven track record of success in high-growth environments, where rapid adaptation is the norm.  In order to be successful in this role, you will need to be comfortable working in a resource constrained environment and with a team of dynamic people across the globe.  You are a catalyst for change, often challenging the status quo and continuously inspiring the team with a compelling vision for innovation and experimentation.

• Lead the engineering team in developing and executing the technical vision and strategy in alignment with company goals
• Ensure a culture of strong accountability across the engineering org, emphasizing transparency in team initiatives and deliverables, with a keen focus on follow-through and meeting commitments
• Represent the engineering organization in strong partnership with the head of design, head of product and data teams to define and deliver the product roadmap and other strategic initiatives
• Oversee the development and delivery of scalable, high-quality software solutions that meet the needs of our 2-sided marketplace
• Ensure that the engineering team maintains a customer-centric approach, understanding and addressing the needs of both customers and users
• Attract, develop, and retain top engineering talent, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other departments, including product management, design and operations, to drive successful outcomes
• Implement processes and methodologies to optimize engineering efficiency, quality, and velocity
• Stay abreast of industry trends and technological advancements, incorporating relevant innovations into our engineering practices

Key Qualifications & Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field [Master's degree preferred].
• 10+ years of experience leading an Engineering function and/or organization of 50 to 100 employees
• Demonstrated expertise in transforming organizations, leading and developing people leaders, fostering a culture of leadership excellence and driving high performance across teams 
• Has led an engineering organization within a company operating in a two-sided marketplace and with a focus on customer-centricity, acting as a true partner with both design and product
• Strong EQ and can build deep connections and relationships with your team, senior leaders, cross functional orgs and external partners
• You obsess over talent; that is, you inspire confidence and action within engineering teams by nurturing and attracting top talent and fostering a culture where every member feels valued
• Must possess a strategic mindset and demonstrate exceptional leadership in driving the strategic vision for our user experience, including leveraging high judgment to prioritize initiatives effectively
• You understand technology trends and your technical acumen is exceptional, especially as it relates to Python, Go, Typescript, BigQuery, Airflow, dbt, GCP Pub/Sub and Vertex AI
• You are hands-on and tactical, not just strategic; rolling up your sleeves and diving into the daily work alongside your team excites you
• You have unapologetically high standards and are detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy

Here's the Pay Range:

At Apartment List, we carefully consider a variety of factors to determine compensation for each position, including the role, level, and work. The US base salary range for this position is $227,000 - $303,000 + bonus + equity, which reflects the compensation target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Please note, the compensation details provided do not include benefits and perks that we offer.

We also rely on market indicators along with considering your work location, job related skills, experience and relevant education and training, to determine compensation that is fair and competitive for you. Apartment List will consider paying compensation near the higher of the range in exceptional circumstances, where candidates have the experience, credentials or expertise that would warrant such consideration. It is always our goal to hire exceptional talent and we would be happy to share more about compensation during the hiring process.