Company Overview We are on a mission to become the Application Program Interface (API) platform powering gift card production and fulfillment. Today, the company is a technology-enabled provider of gift card solutions. The core business involves printing custom gift cards and offering virtual gift cards for small to medium-sized merchants. The company is seeking a VP of Technology to lead and execute their API platform strategy as well as modernize its overall IT Operation. Position Overview The VP of Technology will report to the President as a member of the leadership team and serve as the chief architect and product owner for the company’s digital platforms, while also overseeing internal IT operations for the business. This role combines strategic vision with hands-on execution. The successful candidate will define an API-driven product strategy, maintain operational stability, remediate technical debt and determine the right path forward for customer facing applications. The ability to balance autonomy and big-picture thinking with meticulous attention to detail and a willingness to roll up your sleeves will be critical to success. Location Nashville/Nolensville, TN Key Responsibilities Architect and Product Visionary \-      Own the vision and roadmap for the company’s API platform and developer ecosystem. Gather feedback from merchants, vendors and internal teams, prioritize features and ensure the platform delivers measurable business value. \-      Serve as the lead systems architect, designing a modern, scalable architecture that integrates ERP, manufacturing, e-commerce and analytics. Define standards for APIs, data models and security. \-      Maintain a high attention to detail when reviewing system designs, code integrations and data flows; balance innovation with operational reliability. Strategic Leadership and Decision-Making \-      Develop and execute an IT and product strategy aligned with business objectives. Plan and direct installations and upgrades, justify budgets and manage vendor relationships. \-      Evaluate the current IT environment. Determine whether a full rebuild, a phased modernization or targeted enhancements will best support the business. If a rebuild is warranted, lead the selection and implementation; if not, plan the modernization path. \-      Establish key performance indicators for the API platform (e.g., partner adoption, transaction volume) and for IT operations (uptime, help-desk resolution times). Use these metrics to guide prioritization. Technical Debt Remediation \-      Assess accumulated technical debt resulting from exceptions and one‑off requests across legacy systems and services. \-      Develop and execute a remediation plan that addresses architectural inconsistencies, outdated code, fragile integrations and undocumented workflows. \-      Introduce governance processes and coding standards to prevent future technical debt. Hands-On Technical Leadership \-      Partner with a small team of developers and engineers, providing guidance on architecture, code review and technical problem-solving. Step in to prototype API endpoints, data schemas or integrations when needed. \-      Lead the design and evolution of customer and vendor portals; collaborate with UI/UX partners and internal developers to deliver intuitive experiences. Operational Oversight \-      Oversee helpdesk and IT support operations to ensure prompt resolution of user issues and continuous improvement. Ensure the team has the tools, processes and training to deliver high-quality support. \-      Maintain high availability of networks, servers and manufacturing systems; coordinate preventive maintenance, disaster recovery and security measures. \-      Implement and monitor security and compliance practices; engage external auditors or managed-security services as needed. Collaboration and Communication \-      Act as the main liaison between technology, product, operations, finance and external partners. Communicate complex architectural decisions in clear, business-oriented language. \-      Mentor team members and cultivate a culture of innovation, accountability and continuous learning. Desired Qualifications and Qualities \-      Experience: 10+ years in technology leadership roles with a proven track record of delivering API-centric products and leading ERP or manufacturing-system transformations. \-      Technical Breadth: Deep knowledge of enterprise architecture, API design, cloud platforms, data modeling and modern web development, ideally with experience in the company’s current stack (C#, Python, PHP, Java, MySQL). \-      Product Management Mindset: Demonstrated ability to own a product roadmap, collect stakeholder feedback and drive adoption metrics. \-      Architect Personality: Combines visionary thinking with meticulous attention to detail; comfortable defining high‑level strategy yet willing to dive into code, schema or infrastructure details. \-      Leadership: Strong communicator and motivator; able to build and lead small, cross-functional teams and manage vendors and contractors effectively. Success Factors \-      Ambitious and entrepreneurial spirit; looking for a CTO in the making. \-      Ability to balance hands‑on technical oversight with strategic planning. \-      Strong organizational and project‑management skills to deliver on time and within budget. \-      Commitment to user experience and data‑driven decision‑making. \-      Collaborative mindset and ability to work with a lean internal team while coordinating third‑party partners. \-      Cultural alignment with company’s Core Values. \-      Pride in dealing with customers and quality going out the door. \-      We go the extra mile for our customers. \-      We care about quality in everything we do. \-      Have Each Other’s Back \-      We support each other when times are tough. \-      Bring it every day and especially when it matters most. \-      We do what’s expected of us for the betterment of the company. \-      We step up and do what’s necessary to get the job done. Application Process Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume outlining their relevant experience and vision for the role.