Chief Information Officer

Company Description

Allowance (YC P26) is an early-stage technology company focused on building innovative financial tools that make money management simpler and more accessible. As a Y Combinator–backed startup, Allowance operates in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with an emphasis on experimentation, data-driven decision making, and customer-centric product development. Team members work remotely and collaborate across time zones, using modern tooling and agile methodologies. Joining Allowance offers the opportunity to shape core technology and information practices at a company that is still defining its long-term vision and product roadmap. Role Description The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is a full-time, remote role responsible for leading Allowance’s overall information technology vision, strategy, and execution. The CIO oversees IT operations, infrastructure, security, and systems architecture to ensure reliability, scalability, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations. Day-to-day responsibilities include developing and implementing IT strategy aligned with business objectives, managing IT budgets and vendor relationships, and guiding technology investments that support product and operational efficiency. The CIO will work closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to improve business processes, implement governance frameworks, and establish best practices for data management and information security. This role also leads and mentors the IT team, setting clear priorities, managing performance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Qualifications

Strong foundation in Information Technology, including infrastructure, applications, security, and cloud technologies. Proven experience in IT Operations and IT Management, with a track record of running reliable, scalable, and secure environments. Demonstrated ability to define and execute IT Strategy that aligns technology initiatives with business goals. Experience improving and optimizing Business Processes through technology, automation, and data-driven insights. Background in leadership roles within high-growth or startup environments, preferably in fintech or SaaS. Experience with information security, risk management, and regulatory compliance (e.g., SOC 2, PCI, GDPR) is highly beneficial. Ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership and communicate complex technical topics to non-technical stakeholders. Skilled in building, mentoring, and retaining diverse, high-performing IT teams. Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree or equivalent experience is a plus.