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Full-Time

Chief Technology Officer

Cto

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Zen Educate

Zen Educate

501-1,000 employees

Connects schools with qualified teaching staff

Education
Consumer Software

Expert

London, UK

Hybrid position based in London.

Category
Backend Engineering
Full-Stack Engineering
Software Engineering
Required Skills
Business Strategy
Requirements
  • 10+ years of relevant experience
  • Deep technical experience combined with strong communication skills. Comfort presenting to the team and senior executives and able to translate a business strategy into a compelling mission for their engineering teams.
  • Moves with ease between big picture, strategic thinking and complex, technical details
  • Experience working with executives to build a technology strategy aligned with business strategy and priorities.
  • Strong leadership and prior experience leading high performing teams
  • Strong analytical and technical skills in data collection and analysis
  • History of creating products with strong user experience and high-quality code
Responsibilities
  • Developing and communicating Zen's technical roadmap aligned with vision, business goals and priorities
  • Identifying long and short-term infrastructure needs, and overseeing system designs and changes
  • Responsibility for Zen's tech stack and tech-related processes
  • Develop our high-performing engineering team through effective collaboration between product managers, design and development, and enhancing our development processes
  • Work with the CEO and other Executives defining, clarifying and reviewing key product objectives as we improve our existing product and launch in new areas
  • Hire, train, and manage, engineers, and tech leaders, including our existing high–performing team
  • Select and manage third party tools and vendors on which the product depends
  • Managing cybersecurity and data privacy

Zen Educate connects schools with qualified supply teachers, teaching assistants, and cover supervisors in major UK cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham. The platform allows schools to browse a directory of available candidates, while educators can find job opportunities that match their skills. By eliminating traditional recruitment agencies, Zen Educate reduces hiring costs for schools and increases earnings for teachers. The company charges schools a fee for using its platform, which is typically lower than agency fees, and may offer premium services for additional support. The goal of Zen Educate is to simplify the hiring process in the education sector, making it more efficient and affordable for both schools and educators.

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$83.9M

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Founded

2016

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

22%

1 year growth

65%

2 year growth

222%
Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The $37M Series B funding and acquisition of Aquinas Education position Zen Educate for rapid growth and expansion, particularly into the U.S. market.
  • By reducing recruitment costs and offering higher pay, Zen Educate makes teaching roles more attractive, potentially improving job satisfaction and retention.
  • The platform's ability to match schools with both temporary and full-time teachers provides flexibility and meets diverse staffing needs.

What critics are saying

  • The education staffing market is highly competitive, and Zen Educate must continuously innovate to maintain its edge.
  • Expansion into new markets, such as the U.S., carries risks related to regulatory compliance and market adaptation.

What makes Zen Educate unique

  • Zen Educate eliminates the need for traditional recruitment agencies, offering a more cost-effective and efficient solution for schools and teachers.
  • The platform's tech-driven approach, including algorithmic matching, sets it apart from competitors relying on manual processes.
  • Zen Educate's recent acquisition of Aquinas Education and significant funding rounds highlight its aggressive growth strategy and market expansion.