Fractional Chief AI Officer​/Head of AI - Private Equity & Investor-Backed Businesses

Fractional Chief AI Officer / Head of AI - Private Equity & Investor-Backed Businesses, maidstone Client:

Head of AI

maidstone, United Kingdom

Other

Yes

Head of AI is seeking exceptional leaders to join our network of fractional Heads of AI focused on supporting Private Equity and Investor-Backed businesses
. Our mission is to help portfolio companies accelerate value creation through strategic AI adoption — embedding AI across operations, products, and decision-making to unlock growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

We work with organisations backed by Private Equity, Venture Capital, Family Offices, and Growth Equity investors
, typically ranging from £20m–£500m+ in revenue
. These companies are under pressure to deliver rapid transformation, scalable growth, and measurable returns. Our fractional Heads of AI partner with portfolio leadership teams and investors to design and execute AI strategies that directly impact EBITDA, operational leverage, and long-term enterprise value.

We are looking for individuals who combine deep technical fluency with board‑level leadership, capable of guiding portfolio companies through the next era of generative and agentic AI.

We recognise that few professionals have led a full AI transformation within an investor‑backed environment. Therefore, we seek leaders with proven experience in digital, data, or operational transformation who are now applying that expertise to AI‑led value creation within portfolio companies
. You understand how to translate investor ambition into operational execution — guiding organisations through the cultural, operational, and governance shifts required to unlock AI‑driven performance.

• Private Equity
• Venture Capital
• Investment Management
• Alternative Investment Management
• Family Office
• Growth Equity

What We Are Looking For

Proven experience delivering transformation programmes that improved business performance through technology, automation, and data. Able to apply that experience to the generative AI era — helping portfolio companies unlock operational efficiency, scalable growth, and new revenue opportunities. Understands how AI initiatives contribute directly to EBITDA expansion, operational leverage, and enterprise value creation
.

Able to translate investor strategy into execution plans across portfolio companies.

Deep Technical Fluency

Fluent in modern AI ecosystems including generative AI, agentic systems, AI copilots, and orchestration frameworks (e.g. Lang Chain, Auto Gen, CrewAI). Understands how to combine traditional ML and analytics with emerging AI architectures to deliver measurable commercial outcomes.

Evolved beyond a purely data science or analytics focus — capable of bridging data infrastructure, AI productisation, and operational transformation
. Able to lead technical reviews and guide delivery teams even if not coding daily.

Investor and C‑Suite Communicators

Able to simplify complex AI concepts for CEOs, Operating Partners, Investment Teams, and Boards
. Confident aligning AI initiatives with investor priorities such as value creation plans, operational efficiency, and growth strategies.

Comfortable presenting to portfolio company leadership and private equity stakeholders
, translating AI investments into clear ROI, risk considerations, and strategic advantage.

Transformation and Change Leaders

Strong stakeholder engagement and ability to drive adoption across portfolio organisations. Skilled in mentoring internal teams, developing AI literacy, and building responsible AI practices.

Understands how to introduce human‑in‑the‑loop systems, governance frameworks, and operational processes that enable sustainable AI adoption within fast‑moving investor‑backed environments.

Thrives in ambiguity and high‑performance environments. Comfortable operating across multiple portfolio companies and adapting quickly to different business models and industries.

Curious about emerging AI tooling but pragmatic about implementation. Focused on delivering measurable outcomes through rapid experimentation, iteration, and operational execution.

What We Are Not Looking For

Legacy executives…