CTO

Our client is an established middle-market private equity firm investing across a diverse range of industries.

The firm is seeking a Chief Technology Officer to define and lead its technology, data and AI strategy. This is a senior leadership role with a primary mandate to build the technology infrastructure, data platforms and AI capabilities that support the firm’s investment professionals and broader organization.

The CTO will own the evolution of the firm’s technology environment, spanning enterprise architecture, data, applications, cybersecurity, AI and automation; and establish the foundations required for the firm to use technology and data more effectively as it continues to grow.

A particular priority will be creating a modern, scalable data and technology platform that connects information across the organization and enables the firm to take advantage of rapidly developing AI capabilities.

While the role is principally focused internally, there will also be opportunities to apply the CTO’s expertise across the investment lifecycle. This may include supporting technology due diligence on prospective investments or working with portfolio company leadership teams on selected technology, data and AI priorities where appropriate.

This is an opportunity to build a modern technology capability within an established private equity platform and play a significant role in how the firm uses technology, data and AI to operate more effectively and support its investment activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the firm’s overall technology strategy, architecture and roadmap.
• Assess the existing technology environment and establish a clear vision for its future-state architecture.
• Own the evolution of the firm’s core infrastructure, applications, integrations and technology platforms.
• Determine where capabilities should be built internally, purchased or delivered through external partners.
• Build a scalable technology operating model appropriate for a growing investment firm.
• Establish strong standards across cybersecurity, resilience, access, privacy and technology risk.
• Manage key technology vendors, implementation partners and external service providers.
• Build and lead internal technology capabilities and teams as requirements evolve.
• Establish appropriate technology governance while maintaining the speed and flexibility required within an investment environment.

Data Platform & Analytics

• Define and execute the firm’s enterprise data strategy and underlying data architecture.
• Build a scalable data platform capable of connecting investment, portfolio, financial, operational and other relevant information.
• Establish trusted sources of data that can be accessed and used effectively across the organization.
• Improve the quality, accessibility and timeliness of information available to investment professionals and other internal teams.
• Develop data products, tools and analytics that improve decision-making and reduce manual processes.
• Establish appropriate data governance, ownership, quality and security standards.
• Create the data foundations required to support increasingly sophisticated analytics and AI applications.

AI & Automation

• Define the firm’s strategy and roadmap for the adoption of AI.
• Build the technology, data and governance foundations required to deploy AI securely and at scale.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities where AI and automation can materially improve investment and internal workflows.
• Lead the development, implementation and adoption of AI enabled tools and capabilities.
• Explore applications across areas such as investment research, diligence, knowledge management, portfolio monitoring and internal operations.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, platforms and vendors and determine where the firm should build, buy or partner.
• Establish appropriate governance around AI security, data privacy, model usage and risk.
• Develop the firm’s internal understanding of AI capabilities and help teams translate emerging technology into practical applications.

While the primary focus of the role will be building the firm’s internal technology, data and AI capabilities, there will also be opportunities to apply this expertise across the investment lifecycle and portfolio.

As required, the CTO may:

• Provide a technology perspective during pre-investment diligence, particularly around technology architecture, data, cybersecurity, technical debt and scalability.
• Support investment teams in understanding material technology risks or investment requirements.
• Engage with portfolio company leadership teams on selected technology, data and AI priorities.
• Contribute to value creation planning where technology represents a meaningful opportunity or risk.
• Act as a trusted technology resource to investment and portfolio operations teams when specialist expertise is required.

This element of the role is expected to evolve over time and will be driven by the needs of individual investments and portfolio companies rather than representing a dedicated portfolio operating mandate.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a senior technology leader who combines genuine technical depth with the commercial judgment and communication skills required to operate effectively within a private equity environment.

They are likely to bring:

• Significant experience leading technology within private equity, alternative asset management, investment management or another sophisticated financial or investment environment.
• A track record of designing, building and evolving modern enterprise technology environments.
• Experience building or significantly transforming enterprise data platforms and architectures.
• Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure, enterprise applications, data engineering, integration, cybersecurity and technology risk.
• Practical experience developing or deploying AI, automation and data-driven capabilities within an enterprise environment.
• Experience translating rapidly developing AI technologies into practical, scalable business applications.
• A track record of translating business requirements into pragmatic technology solutions rather than pursuing technology for its own sake.
• Experience building teams and managing a combination of internal resources, vendors and external technology partners.
• Sufficient technical depth and breadth to credibly assess technology environments when supporting investment diligence.
• The commercial judgment to identify where technology, data and AI may create meaningful value within portfolio companies.
• Ability to communicate effectively with investment professionals, senior executives, operating teams and technical stakeholders.
• The ability to operate at both strategic and detailed levels, setting long term direction while remaining close enough to the technology to ensure effective execution.
• A hands on, builder mentality suited to an environment where technology, data and AI capabilities are continuing to evolve.

What Success Looks Like

Over the first 12–24 months, the CTO will have:

• Established a clear technology, data and AI strategy and multi-year roadmap for the firm.
• Built or significantly advanced a scalable technology and data architecture.
• Improved the quality, accessibility and connectivity of information across the organization.
• Created the foundations required for secure, scalable adoption of AI.
• Delivered tangible technology, data and AI capabilities that improve investment and internal workflows.
• Reduced unnecessary manual processes and improved the firm’s ability to leverage its institutional knowledge and data.
• Strengthened cybersecurity, technology governance and operational resilience.
• Established an effective technology operating model combining the right internal capabilities with external partners.
• Built credibility as the firm’s senior technology leader and a trusted advisor to investment and executive leadership.