Lead AI Applications Architect

Job Title:
Lead AI Applications Architect/IT Director
Type: Direct Hire
Work Location: REMOTE (NYC preferred)

Job Overview:

Our client is seeking a Director of Technology & Innovation to own two interconnected mandates: building a best-in-class AI-native internal platform and serving as a hands-on technology advisor and builder across the firm's portfolio of mid-market companies.

In the near term, this role is focused entirely on delivering internal platform — an AI-native application that will become the firm's single source of truth across the full private equity lifecycle, from deal sourcing and due diligence through closing and value creation. This platform is currently in MVP stage and is designed to replace a fragmented toolset including Smartsheet, , and Guru.

As the internal platform reaches production and transitions to steady-state maintenance, the role will evolve to include a growing portfolio-facing mandate: conducting technology and AI discovery across portfolio companies, identifying automation and innovation opportunities, and building or implementing tools that drive measurable value creation. This person will work directly with portfolio company leadership and operating teams on execution, in close collaboration with the VP of Technology Operations on strategy and approach.

This is a rare opportunity to shape technology strategy at both the firm and portfolio level — for a candidate who thrives at the intersection of hands-on building and strategic advisory.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Phase 1:
Internal AI-Native Platform:

• Own the end-to-end product vision, roadmap, and delivery of internal platform in close collaboration with the VP of Technology Operations and senior leadership
• Translate requirements from the deal team and value creation professionals into prioritized product specifications and shipped features
• Rapidly prototype and iterate using the Microsoft Azure stack and Claude Code, with a strong AI-native design philosophy
• Manage integrations with and data migration from Smartsheet, , and Guru into the unified platform
• Establish the platform as the firm's authoritative system of record across deal sourcing, due diligence, closing, and portfolio management
• Transition the platform to steady-state maintenance and support, with documentation and operational runbooks to support the handoff

• Conduct structured technology and AI discovery engagements across portfolio of mid-market companies (~7 portfolio companies, subject to change)
• Identify high-impact automation, AI, and digital transformation opportunities at the portfolio company level — spanning operations, finance, sales, and customer experience
• Build, configure, or implement tools and solutions directly at portfolio companies, working hands-on with their leadership and operating teams on execution
• Partner with the VP of Technology Operations to develop a repeatable framework for technology value creation that can be deployed across the portfolio
• Serve as a credible technology advisor to portfolio company executives and IT teams, bridging investment thesis with practical technology execution
• Report on technology value creation initiatives as part of the broader portfolio value creation plan

• Collaborate closely with the VP of Technology Operations on technology strategy, portfolio planning, and prioritization
• Stay current on AI, automation, and enterprise technology trends relevant to mid-market companies and private equity operations
• Identify opportunities to leverage tools and patterns developed for one portfolio company across the broader portfolio
• Lay the foundation for a small product and engineering team as the scope of the role grows

• 8–12+ years of experience spanning software engineering, technical product ownership, or technology consulting — with a demonstrated track record of shipping products end-to-end
• Prior experience working with or within private equity, portfolio operations, or management consulting is strongly preferred
• Proven ability to conduct technology discovery and deliver recommendations and…