Lead AI Architect

Lead AI Architect Chicago, IL (4 days onsite per week, Monday-Thursday) $180,000-$200,000 base salary + annual bonus THE COMPANY Our client is a highly respected middle-market private investment firm with a strong track record of partnering with founder-led businesses. With a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture and a reputation for integrity, the firm is investing heavily in AI and digital transformation to enhance decision-making, productivity, and operational excellence across the business. This is a unique opportunity to become the organization's first dedicated AI Architect/Solutions Lead, working directly with senior leadership to shape and execute the firm's AI strategy while delivering tangible business impact. RESPONSIBILITIES Identify and evaluate high-impact business workflows across investment, operations, investor relations, and corporate functions that can be enhanced through AI and automation. Partner with stakeholders to understand existing processes, quantify business value, and prioritize opportunities for improvement. Design, build, and deploy AI-driven solutions, agents, and workflow automations using modern LLM technologies and cloud-based platforms. Drive adoption of AI tools by supporting change management, user training, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing feedback collection. Collaborate with technical teams to establish scalable and sustainable AI capabilities across the organization. Help develop and maintain data and document governance standards, including file structures, taxonomy, naming conventions, and information management best practices. Monitor solution effectiveness and continuously improve tools based on user behavior, business outcomes, and stakeholder feedback. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Required 5+ years of experience in AI, automation, business intelligence, analytics, digital transformation, consulting, or a related field. Hands-on experience building AI workflows, AI agents, or LLM-powered solutions using platforms such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft Copilot, Azure AI, or similar technologies. Strong ability to translate business challenges into practical technology solutions. Experience engaging directly with business stakeholders and managing cross-functional projects from concept through deployment. Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences. Strong problem-solving mindset with a focus on execution, outcomes, and continuous improvement. Experience working with cloud platforms and modern data environments such as Azure, Databricks, Snowflake, or equivalent. Preferred Experience within consulting, financial services, private equity, investment management, or other fast-paced, client-facing environments. Exposure to data governance, information architecture, and enterprise productivity tooling. Experience supporting change management and enterprise-wide technology adoption initiatives. BENEFITS Competitive base salary of $180,000-$200,000 Annual performance-based bonus opportunity High visibility role with direct exposure to senior executives and business leaders Opportunity to build and shape AI capabilities from the ground up Entrepreneurial, collaborative culture with significant ownership and autonomy Clear opportunity for professional growth as the firm's AI function evolves HOW TO APPLY Please register your interest by submitting your CV via the Apply link on this page. KEY TERMS AI Solutions Lead | AI Architect | Artificial Intelligence | Generative AI | LLMs | AI Agents | Automation | Digital Transformation | Azure | Databricks | Microsoft Copilot | OpenAI | Anthropic | Workflow Automation | Data Governance | Business Intelligence | Change Management | Consulting | Financial Services | Private Equity | Chicago Jobs | Hybrid Working