Role
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Executive accountable for company-wide technology vision
2-way comparison
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) vs Head of Engineering
Compare Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Head of Engineering across responsibilities, authority, and collaboration.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Head of Engineering
Role
Head of Engineering
Top engineering leader (often in startup)
| Dimension | Chief Technology Officer (CTO) | Head of Engineering |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Executive accountable for company-wide technology vision | Top engineering leader (often in startup) |
| Reporting Relationship | Reports to CEO; board-facing | Reports to CEO |
| Scope of Responsibilities | All technology (platform, infra, architecture) | Entire engineering function |
| Decision-Making Authority | Enterprise technology authority | Final say on technical direction |
| Strategic Planning | Defines long-term tech vision + innovation | Owns engineering strategy |
| Team Management | Leads VP/Head of Eng | Manages EMs/Directors |
| Meeting Involvement | Executive + board leadership | Executive team member |
| Project Management | Oversees major technical bets, M&A diligence | Oversees full engineering roadmap |
| Communication | External representation + investor narrative | Board/investor communication |
| Professional Development | → CEO | → VP / CTO |