Head of Automation Technology- Remote

CIRE Equity is a privately held, vertically integrated real estate investment firm focused on creating and preserving long-term value through targeted investments in commercial real estate across the Western United States. We take a disciplined, hands-on approach to investing, combining thoughtful analysis with active execution to responsibly grow investor capital while protecting it over time.
We believe consistent, high-quality work and a willingness to keep getting better drives meaningful growth for our investors, our team, and the communities where we invest.
Effective Performance
Beyond technical skills, we look for people with strong emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a genuine commitment to winning together. Open dialogue, direct feedback, and psychological safety are core to how we work and are essential to building strong teams and achieving better outcomes, especially in complex, fast-moving environments. CIRE Equity is seeking a CTO to serve as the senior technical authority the organization requires for growth. This is a full-time, Executive Leadership Team (ELT)-level position. It is a strategic leadership function — one that owns the technology and data direction of a $1B+ AUM commercial real estate private equity firm with high growth targets and translates that direction into a roadmap the internal team can execute against.
The role is designed for a leader who operates with hands-on technical conviction: someone whose opinions on AI, data architecture, and platform decisions are grounded in active practice, not delegation. The CTO contributes a technical lens to firm-level strategy for a team that is forward thinking about technology. AI, Automations, & Data Strategy
Serve as the technical authority on AI initiatives, stress‑testing the roadmap, prioritizing initiatives, architecture decisions, build vs. Review and refine data architecture standards across core systems (MRI, Argus, Microsoft) and oversee data warehouse initiatives to serve long‑term reporting and analytics needs across the organization
Define how data flows between platforms and where it lives authoritatively
Work across functions to understand business needs and oversee workflow automation by internal and external parties
Product & Technology Decisions
Lead the build of custom, line‑of‑business applications and products to align with corporate strategy and goals
Establish a technology governance model and policies
How decisions get made, documented, and enforced, including approval thresholds and escalation structure
Structure for evaluating new technologies and contracting protocol
Establish ROI measures and success metrics for technology implementations

Holds authority to reverse or redirect prior technology decisions where necessary to execute the roadmap
Own the technology budget and vendor contract negotiations, ensuring spend aligns with ROI and strategic priorities
Partner with department leads to identify workflow gaps addressable through custom tooling or automation
Cybersecurity
Own and continuously strengthen the firm's cybersecurity posture, directing controls to identify exposure gaps, advise on third‑party risk, and ensure the firm's security practices keep pace with its technology footprint
Coordinate with Legal on incident response planning and breach notification readiness
Set data access and identity management standards across all systems
Report cybersecurity posture and key risk indicators to the leadership team on a regular cadence
Translate business strategy into a sequenced, achievable technology roadmap
Make recommendations on internal and external resources to ensure the organization is equipped to achieve its technology goals
Report to COO on roadmap progress, risks, and resource gaps
Mentor and advise internal technology staff on technical direction and professional development
Reporting Structure
~ Hands‑on with AI/ML tooling, data architecture, and modern SaaS integration patterns
Experience in B2B, ERP, or regulated‑data environments strongly preferred, with demonstrated ability to navigate complex business structures beyond consumer‑facing technology
Willingness and ability to travel to Southern California quarterly to attend in‑person executive meetings.
Work Experience Qualifications

• 10+ years of technology leadership experience, including CTO, VP of Engineering, or equivalent senior roles
• Background as a builder at a product company, shipping software as CTO or VP of Engineering rather than a consulting, systems‑integrator, or infrastructure‑only track record
• Demonstrated track record building and executing technology roadmaps in mid‑market or growing firms
• Demonstrated track record for building high‑performing teams
• Active AI/ML practitioner — not just strategic familiarity; Deep experience with SaaS platform integrations, data architecture, and API‑connected ecosystems
• Prior experience in commercial real estate, proptech, or financial services, or other industries with complex data environments strongly preferred
• Familiarity with data privacy and security frameworks relevant to investor data, including CCPA, SEC safeguarding requirements, and state breach notification laws, with SOC 2 familiarity
• This is a remote, full‑time employee position. The primary working environment will be virtual, with periodic on‑site visits to CIRE Equity's offices for strategic planning sessions, team alignment meetings, and key presentations. The CTO is expected to maintain a professional remote setup suitable for video conferencing and collaboration.

Periodic travel to CIRE's primary office and asset locations may be required. The physical demands of this position are consistent with professional knowledge work conducted in an office or home‑office setting. Primary activities include extended computer use, video conferencing, and document review. No significant physical requirements are associated with this role beyond standard office conditions.
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