Chief of Staff - R&D

The Role

We’re looking for a Chief of Staff to the CTO—a strategic operator, trusted thought partner, and execution-focused leader who will amplify the CTO’s impact across the company. This is a highly visible role for someone who thrives at the intersection of technology, business, and execution. You’ll work closely with the CTO to drive forward strategic initiatives, shape high-stakes communication, and ensure the right priorities are moving with the right momentum.

This role is ideal for someone who combines sharp strategic thinking, technical fluency, and operational follow-through—and who is energized by working alongside a senior executive in a fast-paced, high-leverage environment.

Addepar takes a market-based approach to pay. A successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on the role, job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target base salary for roles in Colorado, California, and New York.

The current range for this role is $143,000 - $224,000 (base salary) + bonus + equity + benefits.

Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Additionally, these ranges reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without requiring current or future visa sponsorship (for example, employment-based visas such as H-1B, F-1/OPT, or similar), and must be authorized to begin work in the U.S. on their first day of employment.

What You’ll Do

Act as a Strategic Partner to the CTO

• Work closely with the CTO to prioritize focus, synthesize input across stakeholders, and accelerate decision-making
• Serve as a high-trust advisor, helping the CTO stay ahead of key conversations, risks, and opportunities

Drive Forward Critical Initiatives

• Lead or incubate high-impact projects that span functions, lack a clear owner, or are in early stages of development
• Ensure progress, accountability, and clarity across efforts where the CTO is a key stakeholder or sponsor

Connect Technical Strategy to Execution

• Work across R&D, product, data, design, and go-to-market teams to ensure that key technical priorities are advancing in alignment with business goals
• Track follow-ups, unblock dependencies, and surface issues early

Craft Executive-Ready Communication

• Collaborate on strategy documents, board materials, and internal updates that clearly communicate technical direction, platform strategy, and organizational priorities
• Help prepare for and follow up on key meetings with executives, clients, partners, and the board

Structure Ambiguity into Action

• Translate abstract ideas into structured workstreams, with clear owners and timelines
• Identify gaps, risks, or fragmentation—and work to bring clarity and cohesion

Who You Are

• A strategic operator with 10+ years of experience across fintech, SaaS, product strategy, technical program management, or executive advisory roles
• Comfortable navigating both technical concepts (e.g. system architecture, platform design) and business priorities (e.g. product roadmap, client value, org design)
• A crisp communicator who can write and speak with clarity, precision, and impact
• Experienced in working with senior executives—able to balance discretion, influence, and independence
• Adept at bringing structure to complexity, driving progress without authority, and operating at multiple levels of detail
• Familiar with the landscape of wealth, asset, or investment management, or excited to ramp quickly in the fintech domain

Preferred Requirements

• Prior experience in a Chief of Staff, Strategic Programs, or BizOps role supporting a C-level executive
• MBA or equivalent strategic/business training
• Experience in high-growth, product- or platform-led organizations with technical depth and client complexity