Manager, AI Solutions & Finance Strategy

The Manager, AI Solutions & Finance Strategy serves as the functional lead for artificial intelligence adoption and innovation within Carlyle's Finance Process & Operations (FPO) team, sitting at the intersection of fund operations and emerging AI technology. The role requires a deep understanding of workflows and business needs across the fund operations vertical - including Fund Accounting, Entity Lifecycle Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Tax, and other Corporate Finance departments - with a mandate to identify and deliver high-impact AI solutions that drive meaningful operational improvement across these teams. Central to this role is serving as the primary liaison between finance end-users and the Global Technology Services (GTS) AI team - translating business processes, pain points, and strategic vision into clear, well-scoped AI solution requirements. This person is not expected to be a developer or coder but must possess a strong conceptual understanding of how AI systems work, what they are capable of, and - equally important - when AI is the right solution versus other approaches. The Manager will lead AI workstreams from initial use case identification through delivery, testing, and end-user adoption, working closely with GTS counterparts to ensure solutions are built correctly and deliver measurable value. Deep fluency in AI tools and techniques - including prompt engineering, AI skill development, agent workflows, and generative AI platforms - is essential, and the Manager will apply this expertise directly in service of the teams and processes they support. The Manager will also own change management for AI initiatives across the fund operations vertical, driving training, communication, and adoption programs that ensure new solutions are embraced and used effectively. The position reports to the Associate Vice President of Business Finance Systems within the Finance Process & Operations team, working closely with Fund Accounting, Global Technology Services, and cross‑functional leadership as needed. The role carries people management responsibilities, both indirect (immediate) and direct (over time), and Responsibilities AI Use Case Discovery & Business Liaison (~50%) Develop and maintain a deep understanding of department processes, workflows, and their adjacent departments Proactively identify and evaluate opportunities where AI could meaningfully improve efficiency, accuracy, or insight across finance operations Act as the primary liaison between end-users and the GTS AI team, translating business needs, pain points, and goals into clear, structured AI solution requirements Critically assess and articulate when AI is the right solution versus traditional automation, workflow tooling, or process redesign - ensuring the right approach is applied to the right problem Partner with stakeholders across the fund operations verticals -including Entity Lifecycle Management, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Tax, Corporate Accounting, and other Corporate Finance departments - to gather requirements, identify AI opportunities, and validate proposed solutions Collaborate with GTS counterparts to prioritize, scope, and deliver AI initiatives, serving as the bridge between business vision and technical execution AI Solution Implementation & Change Management (~40%) Lead end-to-end delivery of AI solutions from requirements through deployment, working in close partnership with GTS on build, testing, and quality assurance Design, develop, and optimize prompts for LLM-powered tools and workflows, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and relevance for fund accounting use cases Develop and maintain AI skills, reusable prompt frameworks, and agent workflow documentation to enable scalable and repeatable AI solutions across the department Drive change management across the fund operations verticals - including Fund Accounting, Entity Lifecycle Management, FP&A, Tax, and Corporate Finance departments - through stakeholder communication, training programs, and adoption support to ensure the successful integration of AI tools into daily operations Stay current with emerging AI capabilities, tools, and industry best practices, continuously identifying new opportunities to apply them within Carlyle's finance ecosystem Provide ongoing production support for deployed AI solutions, triaging issues and coordinating with GTS for timely resolution Gather end-user feedback and translate insights into actionable improvement recommendations Support the ongoing optimization and iteration of existing AI tools to ensure they remain effective as business processes and model capabilities evolve Qualifications Education & Certificates Bachelor's degree required Concentration in Accounting, Finance, or Economics preferred Professional Experience 5-7 years of relevant experience, required Experience in fund accounting, finance operations, or a related business systems or process improvement role, preferred Demonstrated experience working at the intersection of business operations and technology - translating end-user needs into actionable requirements for technical teams Hands-on experience with AI tools, platforms, or workflows - including prompt engineering, generative AI applications, or AI-driven automation Experience working across multiple finance or corporate departments - such as FP&A, Tax, Entity Management, or Corporate Accounting - with the ability to quickly understand varied workflows and build credibility with diverse stakeholder groups Proven track record of identifying and implementing process improvement or automation initiatives in a finance environment Experience supporting or leading change management efforts, including training and stakeholder communication Familiarity with agile project management methodologies and tools such as JIRA or similar platforms Background in private equity, Fund accounting, or similar alternative investment operations preferred Proficiency with generative AI tools and platforms (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot) and a conceptual understanding of how large language models work Prompt engineering expertise - ability to design, structure, and optimize prompts for accuracy, reliability, and business relevance across varied finance use cases Experience developing AI skills, agent workflows, or reusable prompt frameworks that can be operationalized across a team or department Working knowledge of AI concepts including Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), embeddings, and agent-based workflows - understanding of what these are and how they power AI solutions, even without hands‑on development experience Ability to critically evaluate when AI is the right solution versus traditional automation, BPM tooling, or process redesign Solid understanding of fund accounting principles, investor reporting, and financial close processes Working knowledge of system structures, data flows, and application architecture - a strong understanding of how systems connect and interact will be a key differentiator in this role Strong ability to translate complex business processes and end-user needs into clear, actionable requirements for AI and technology teams Advanced Excel required; SQL or data querying experience preferred Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills with an inquisitive, forward-thinking mindset Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging across finance, technology, and senior leadership audiences Highly organized with strong attention to detail Self‑motivated and capable of managing multiple priorities independently in a fast‑paced environment Demonstrated ability to lead and influence both direct and indirect team members The compensation range for this role is specific to Washington, DC and takes into account a wide range of factors including but not limited to the skill sets required/preferred; prior experience and training; licenses and/or certifications. The anticipated base salary range for this role is $120,000 to $140,000. In addition to the base salary, the hired professional will enjoy a comprehensive benefits package spanning retirement benefits, health insurance, life insurance and disability, paid time off, paid holidays, family planning benefits and various wellness programs. Additionally, the hired professional may also be eligible to participate in an annual discretionary incentive program, the award of which will be dependent on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Carlyle Group