Chief Information Officer

About the Company

We are a newly formed RIA aggregator that partners with individual RIAs to usher in their next stage of growth, backed by a people-driven private equity firm.  
Our mission is to empower RIA leaders and their businesses to build enhanced value and fulfillment through lasting, permanent partnerships. We focus on unlocking growth and potential by prioritizing people, fostering cultural alignment, and nurturing the unique legacy of each business. Through a decentralized model, our expert support system serves to enhance local brands while preserving their distinct culture.
Our firms’ advisors provide clients with invaluable gifts of time and peace of mind, knowing their financial futures are in trusted hands. Together, we are creating a thriving community of industry leaders dedicated to delivering exceptional service to clients by letting them focus on what truly matters.
When our founding team first examined the RIA market, we noticed a troubling trend: many sellers were left dissatisfied after selling their businesses. Their initial move to the RIA channel was often fueled by a desire for independence and entrepreneurship, yet too often, these sellers found themselves handing their businesses over to large aggregators that resembled the very wirehouses they once sought to escape.
We were created to be the preferred buyer of – and true family for – RIAs. Our decentralized model ensures that the independence and autonomy that sellers value are preserved—not stripped away. By blending the growth opportunities, resources, and back-office support of a large firm with the localized client service and freedom that advisors value, we have crafted a model that delivers the best outcomes for sellers, employees, and, most importantly, clients.

Position Summary

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) will be responsible for the roll out of our enterprise tech stack, operational applications, IT architecture and security, M&A IT integrations, and IT Service Management. The CIO will be responsible for delivering the IT budget, driving cost synergies and tech-driven ROI at
acquired firms, and building a team of in-house professionals and outsourced consultants to launch a world-class technology function.

This role represents a unique opportunity for an individual to join a startup Company with ambitious goals, yet one that has the sophistication, resources, and leadership caliber of a much larger firm. The CIO will work in an exciting, fast-paced, and entrepreneurial environment, and will help promote a team-
oriented culture that values treating people well.

This role has the option of sitting in New York or Chicago. Remote candidates will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If you are a highly motivated technology leader, with a passion for building best-in-class systems and technology environments, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Key Relationships
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)
Direct Reports: Future hires of Systems Admin, PMO leader, Infrastructure/Security, Operational IT leader, BI/Reporting, and Integration Specialists, and other hires based on future growth driven needs of the business.
Relationships with key stakeholders: RIA subsidiaries (“Partner Firms”), executive leadership team (“ELT”) and employees, tech stack project management and systems implementation consultants, external IT MSP/MSSP relationships, and IT/software vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• The CIO will be responsible for standing up and leading a world-class technology function its Partner Companies IT and Systems Development and Implementation

• Create the systems/processes to capture, organize, and leverage operational and financial data, and work with the ELT to align the use of that data with our business strategies across finance and accounting, HR and talent acquisition, business development, marketing/websites, and regional and subsidiary leadership.

• Manage internal resources and IT-related partners/vendors to develop project plans, specifications/scorecards, scopes, timelines, deliverables, quality assurance, and renewal of services to ensure best-in-class maintenance, support, and continuous improvement of systems.

• Negotiate contracts and maintain vendor relationships for server, network, multi-site internet, telecommunication, helpdesk support, and cloud-based applications and services.

IT Strategic Initiatives and Budget

• Lead IT operational planning to support our goals by fostering innovation, prioritizing IT initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of IT systems across the Company and its subsidiaries.

• Develop, track, and execute the IT annual and long-range strategic plan and budgets.

Acquisition Integration

• Lead and deploy the ourTechnology Integration Roadmap for all completed and future Partner Company acquisitions, to ensure seamless and expeditious vertical data, reporting, and system integrations post-closing.

• Educate users on the benefits of integration work and oversee new user training, with an emphasis on a ‘client service mindset’ to ensure a sterling reputation for our company regarding the ease of IT and system transitions at subsidiaries.

• Compliance and Security

• Ensure that the design, installation, planning, security, and maintenance of our technology infrastructure is aligned with the growth strategy and consistent with industry best practices, with an eye towards legal/data/privacy compliance and risk management.

• Develop educational materials and coordinate the training of all employees and subsidiary employees on the optimal use of organizational technology resources, including IT security training, and leveraging external partners as appropriate.

• Evaluate potential IT security risks and implement and maintain systems, policies, and procedure for mitigating those risks. Manage quality assurance processes, integration, and system tests; maintain network security at the highest level.

• Develop disaster recovery and business continuity planning processes and systems.

Organizational / People

• Develop and maintain organizational IT policies and processes.

• Prioritize and control the IT project pipeline related to the selection, acquisition, development, installation, and ongoing support of the information systems, and ongoing optimization of core business systems.

• Oversee procurement for all IT hardware, with an eye towards cost-saving opportunities and driving employee productivity. Manage all software licensing, deployment, and technology inventory.

Education and Experience

• Masters and/or Bachelor’s degree in computer science, MIS, IT, or a related subject. Professional certifications in both technical and IT management are a plus (e.g., Microsoft MCSE certifications, Network+, Security+, ITIL , CCNA, CISSP, PMP).

• 10+ years of progressive IT work experience, with 5+ years in a management or senior supervisory role; industry experience in technology services or professional services is a plus.

• Proven successful experience leading the standup of best-in-class IT systems and procedures; M&A IT integration experience is highly preferred.

• Proven leadership experience in a highly technical environment, with IT planning, organization, and decision-making skills.

Chief Information Officer Characteristics, Skills, and Abilities:

• Able to conduct technological analyses and research, including ROI-driven IT recommendations.

• Strong understanding of Microsoft technologies including Windows, Windows Server, Active Directory and Microsoft 365, and configuration, deployment, and patching of each.

• Strong understanding of managing 3rd party SaaS tools. Substantial exposure to data warehouse management and CRM, ERP, CPM, BI, and workflow software and applications.

• Considerable knowledge of business theory, business processes, management, budgeting, business office operations, IT systems general architecture, and multi-site integration requirements.

• Strong knowledge of project management principles and experience with system design and development from business requirements analysis through to day-to-day management.

• Unquestionable integrity, a strong work ethic, and demonstrated success standing up and improving technology systems and processes.

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills and ability to effectively lead and communicate with teams across the entire organization.

• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work under pressure and meet deadlines, and work independently and as part of a team.

• A ‘can-do’, solution-oriented individual and initiative-taking problem solver; intellectually curious and committed to self-improvement.

• Willingness to be a ‘doer’ and roll up your sleeves, and not view work as ‘beneath you’.

• Able to respond in a level-headed, yet expedient, manner in the face of pressing IT issues, bringing an incredible eye for detail, proactively identifying issues, and ensuring excellence in all IT matters.

• Able to think at both at a big-picture strategic and detailed operational level, with a drive for continuous improvement.

• Familiarity with directing and managing IT strategic plans, policies, programs, and schedules for data processing, computer services, network communications, and MIS to accomplish corporate goals and objectives.

Compensation and Other
Highly competitive compensation package, including attractive benefits. 
$250,00 - 290,000 base salary,
20-30% bonus 
Long term incentive opportunities