At Believ, formerly known as Liberty Charge, we’re committed to sustainable transport being accessible to everyone. We’re a Charge Point Operator (CPO) on a mission to create the UK’s most reliable electric vehicle charging network that doesn’t cost the earth and leaves no one behind. Providing equitable access to electric vehicle charging, and achieving cleaner air for all, is at the heart of the Believ mission. We work closely with local authorities and businesses to deliver reliable, high quality charging networks at pace, at scale and at zero cost.
We offer all the advantages of being a scale-up business, but with the added security and long-term backing from well-known parents - Liberty Global (who also own our delivery partner, Virgin Media O2) and Zouk Capital (who manage the Government’s Charging Investment Infrastructure Fund).
You’ll be joining this exciting journey at the start of our scale-up phase, and working with us to hit the ambitious targets our shareholders have set. You’ll become part of a passionate and supportive team in a fast-paced, dynamic and result-driven environment.
About the role:
As a core member of the Senior Leadership team, the CTO will set the technology vision, grow and manage teams to build scalable platforms, identify and adopt the right hardware, embed effective workflow management systems, and develop high quality data analytics and reporting. The CTIO will also champion investment and innovation to support the company’s expansion across new markets.
Key Responsibilities:
The CTIO will have three main responsibilities:
Development and maintenance of excellent and integrated workflow management, enterprise support and data analytical systems that help manage the business Development, deployment and continuous improvement of our Charge Point Management System (CPMS) which manages our charge point network. Product Development – selection and integration of hardware and software products that give our customers what they need and provides excellent customer experience
To achieve these headline tasks the individual will need to be an excellent team player and manager of people, be capable of identifying and presenting plans and tasks for the business without being asked and have fantastic technology skills. Within this framework the CTIO provide leadership and ownership of the following:
- Technology Strategy & Vision: Define and execute a technology roadmap that supports scaling EV charging networks, hardware-software integration, asset management, workflow management systems, reporting and customer experience excellence.
- Infrastructure Innovation: Oversee the design, deployment, and optimization of CPMS (Charge Point Management System), charging hardware, energy management systems (EMS), grid integration, and software platforms.
- Team Leadership: Build and lead a cross-functional team of engineers, product developers, and IT specialists across hardware, software, and network operations.
- System Scalability: Ensure all systems (hardware, software, mobile apps, energy management tools) are secure, reliable, and scalable to support rapid geographic and customer growth.
- Energy & Grid Integration: Lead initiatives around smart charging, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies, renewable energy integration, and dynamic load management.
- Customer Platforms: Drive the development of customer-facing mobile apps, web portals, and payment systems for a fantastic customer experience.
- Partnerships & Standards: Collaborate with technology vendors, vehicle OEMs, utility companies, and regulatory bodies to ensure interoperability, compliance with evolving standards (OCPP, ISO 15118, etc.), and industry leadership.
- Data & Cybersecurity: Establish strong cybersecurity protocols for IoT networks, ensure compliance with data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA), and leverage analytics for operational improvements
- R&D Leadership: Identify and invest in emerging technologies (e.g. V2G, smart grid integration, AI-driven predictive maintenance) to maintain a competitive edge.
- Budget & Supply Chain Management: Own the technology budget, and manage relationships with hardware suppliers, SaaS vendors, and software development partners.
- Company Leadership: lead the broader organisation as a member of the SLT, role-modelling the expected behaviours, facing into business-wide communication and engagement plans, contribution and representation at Board meetings, and responsibility over the effectiveness of collaboration across the business.
Qualifications and Experience:
- High Quality degree in computer science, engineering, physics, maths or related discipline
- 10+ years of experience in technology leadership roles, ideally in an SME scale-up environment.
- Understanding of EV charging hardware, backend networks, cloud infrastructure, IoT communication protocols (OCPP, MQTT), and energy management systems would be beneficial but not essential
- Experience with cybersecurity, data privacy laws, and mission-critical infrastructure.
- Hands-on technical expertise across software development, network architecture, and hardware integration.
Skills/Capabilities:
- Strong data/analytical skills
- Customer focus
- Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills who can work and lead collaboration with the dev team and the SLT.
- Strategic thinker who can translate big-picture goals into operational action.
- Resilient self-starter
- Adaptable
- Entrepreneurial
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and bonus scheme
- 25 days’ annual leave, plus the usual 8 UK Bank Holidays and the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year*
- Access to wellbeing and mental health benefits such as the Calm app, personal medical insurance, critical illness cover, dental, optical & travel insurance, income protection and life assurance
- Pension contribution matched up to 10%
- Access to our car benefit scheme and cycle to work scheme
- Access to our online learning platform to continue to develop and grow your career with us.
- 24 hours a year Volunteer Time Off to support causes that are important to you
- Virgin Media / O2 discounts and offers
- Access to VIP Arena Suites at the O2 Arena (London) and First Direct Arena (Leeds)
- Enhanced parental leave policies
Location:
The business is currently based in our office in Southwark. The position is full time, hybrid with 3 days (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) based in the office. Believ is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our people.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
