Chief Technology Officer & Co-founder (w/m/d)

Company Description

Opesly is an intelligent circular engagement platform that turns citizen participation into verified sustainability actions, measurable impact data, and future-ready resource recovery infrastructure. Through a gamified app, users join circularity challenges, earn Opesly Coins for verified actions, and redeem them for green rewards in a dedicated marketplace. Brands and municipalities sponsor challenges to engage communities and receive detailed impact reports based on verified participation. Verified green brands can sell their products directly on the platform, strengthening sustainable commerce. This engagement layer builds the behavioral, verification, and data foundation for Opesly’s long-term vision of a traceable resource recovery ecosystem connecting communities, recovery partners, brands, municipalities, recyclers, and circular material buyers.

Role Description

This is a position starting with the application for the EXIST Program.

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) (w/m/d) is a full-time, hybrid role based in Heidelberg, responsible for leading Opesly’s overall technology vision and execution. This role oversees the end-to-end development and scaling of the platform, including the gamified app, marketplace, GDPR and data infrastructure that supports verified sustainability actions. The CTO is hands on profile, coding and developing actively from day on, defines technical architecture, and ensures secure, reliable and scalable systems aligned with business and product goals.

Activities

Setting IT strategy,

prioritizing and managing technology projects,

collaborating closely with product, operations, and sustainability teams,

evaluating new tools and partners that strengthen the resource recovery ecosystem.

The CTO also establishes best practices for code quality, DevOps, data governance, and cybersecurity, while building and mentoring a high-performing technical organization.

Qualifications

• Experience in German and/or European Marketing;
• Ability to lead and oversee Software Development, including modern web and mobile technologies, APIs, MCP and cloud-based platforms;
• Proven experience in IT Strategy and Architecture, designing scalable, secure and data-driven systems for digital platforms;
• Strong Project Management skills to prioritize initiatives, coordinate cross-functional teams and deliver technology roadmaps on time;
• Expertise partnering with product and business stakeholders to translate user needs into technical solutions;
• Familiarity with data analytics, reporting, marketplace, gaming, social network, supply chain and integration of sustainability or impact measurement frameworks is an advantage;
• Experience with cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), DevOps practices and information security standards;
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
• Commitment to sustainability, circular economy principles, and community-focused innovation.
• Relevant university degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent practical experience
• Previous leadership experience in a senior technology role (e.g., CTO, VP Engineering, Head of Technology) in startup or growth environments is a plus.