VICE PRESIDENT, AI STRATEGY & TRANSFORMATION
Leading Private Equity Firm · New York City · Confidential Search · Managed by TSE Executive Search
THE COMPANY
This is a top-tier Private Equity firm with a multi-sector portfolio spanning healthcare, technology, financial services, and industrials. The firm is making a deliberate, high-conviction commitment to AI as a source of competitive advantage — both at the fund level and across its portfolio companies. The VP, AI Strategy & Transformation will be the architect of that commitment.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a newly created seat at a firm that moves fast and expects the same from its people. As VP, AI Strategy & Transformation, you will define how AI creates value across the firm’s portfolio — from pre-deal diligence through full-cycle value creation. You will work directly with the firm’s senior partners, portfolio company CEOs, and operating teams to identify, design, and execute the highest-impact AI and transformation opportunities across the platform.
This is not a technology role. It is a business leadership role. You will be expected to think like an investor, operate like a consultant, and execute like an operator — sometimes all in the same week.
WHAT YOU WILL OWN
AI Strategy & Value Creation
- Define and lead the firm’s AI strategy and transformation agenda across the portfolio — identifying where AI creates durable, measurable value and where it doesn’t
- Partner with deal teams on AI-driven diligence — assessing target companies’ AI readiness, data assets, and digital transformation potential as part of investment thesis development
- Build and own AI value creation playbooks for portfolio companies — deployable frameworks that operating teams and management can execute against within 90 days of close
- Identify high-value AI use cases across portfolio sectors — operational efficiency, revenue growth, pricing optimization, talent analytics, and supply chain intelligence
- Continuously scan the external AI landscape to ensure the firm’s portfolio stays ahead of sector-specific disruption
Portfolio Company Execution
- Serve as the firm’s embedded AI expert for portfolio company leadership teams — partnering with CEOs, CFOs, and COOs to frame transformation priorities and build execution roadmaps
- Lead one or more high-priority AI transformation workstreams at the portfolio company level — with full accountability for quality, timeline, and measurable EBITDA impact
- Prepare and deliver board-ready presentations, business cases, and ROI frameworks that translate AI initiatives into investment committee-ready language
- Define the analytical and data infrastructure requirements that enable AI deployment at portfolio companies — working with management to prioritize build-buy-partner decisions
Governance, Risk & Investment
- Build and govern the AI investment framework across the portfolio — defining priorities, trade-offs, and ROI standards for AI initiatives
- Partner with legal, compliance, and cybersecurity to ensure responsible, governed AI deployment across regulated and non-regulated portfolio sectors
- Establish governance structures and reporting cadences that give the investment team real-time visibility into AI initiative performance across the portfolio
Team & Ecosystem Leadership
- Build and develop the firm’s internal AI strategy capability — including analysts, associates, and external advisors
- Manage strategic external partnerships with AI vendors, technology companies, and sector-specific AI specialists
- Foster AI fluency across the firm and its portfolio — enabling operating partners, deal teams, and management to apply AI confidently and credibly
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Education
- MBA, MS, or PhD required; advanced degree in a quantitative discipline a plus
Experience — one of the following:
- 4+ years in top-tier strategy consulting (McKinsey, Bain, BCG, or equivalent) with deep AI, digital transformation, or technology practice focus
- 6+ years in enterprise AI strategy, data science leadership, or digital transformation — ideally with PE, portfolio company, or multi-sector exposure
- 8+ years in PE operations, value creation, or portfolio strategy with substantial AI or advanced analytics experience
Competencies
Investor Mindset
- Thinks in value creation terms — every AI initiative must connect to EBITDA, revenue, or multiple expansion
- Comfortable engaging investment committees and LPs on AI strategy and portfolio performance
- Understands the PE operating model — timeline pressure, lean teams, and the imperative to move quickly from thesis to execution
AI & Business Acumen
- Deep understanding of modern AI technologies — LLMs, NLP, agentic AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics — with the judgment to determine where they create real business value
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear investment cases and governance decisions for non-technical senior audiences
- Strong financial acumen — NPV modeling, EBITDA bridge analysis, and ROI frameworks
Problem Solving & Execution
- Constructs structured frameworks to decompose complex, ambiguous portfolio challenges
- Designs and executes rigorous analysis with minimal oversight
- Synthesizes findings into clear, defensible recommendations that drive action at the board and management level
Communication & Presence
- Operates with conviction in investment committee, board, and CEO settings
- Produces board-ready deliverables — concise, compelling, and decision-ready
Leadership
- Builds and develops high-performing teams in a lean, fast-moving environment
- Manages external partners and vendors to deliver outcomes, not activity
WHY THIS ROLE
- Define AI strategy at the fund level and drive real EBITDA impact across a multi-billion dollar portfolio
- Work alongside top-tier investment professionals and world-class portfolio company management teams
- Highly selective process — a small team of exceptional performers with significant autonomy and ownership
- The firm is at the beginning of this journey — this VP will shape what AI means for the platform for the next decade
HOW TO APPLY
This search is managed exclusively and confidentially by TSE Executive Search.
Please submit your resume and cover letter to:
jobs@tseworldwide.com
All applications are held in the strictest confidence.