Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Private Equity–Backed Platform Company
Company Overview
Our client is a private equity–backed platform company formed in Q4 2025 as part of a deliberate buy-and-build strategy. Since formation, the company has completed one acquisition and currently has two additional acquisitions under LOI, with an aggressive growth and integration roadmap over the next 24–36 months.
The organization is transitioning from founder-led, fragmented systems to a scalable, institutional technology environment capable of supporting rapid M&A, operational visibility, cybersecurity maturity, and exit readiness. Technology is a core value-creation lever, and the CTO will play a critical role in enabling scale, integration, and data-driven decision-making.
This is a hands-on, execution-oriented CTO role — not a pure strategy or architecture position. The ideal candidate has built and integrated technology platforms inside PE-backed, multi-entity, high-growth environments.
Position Summary
The Chief Technology Officer will serve as a core member of the executive leadership team and a key partner to the CEO, CFO, CHRO, and PE sponsor. This leader will be responsible for designing, stabilizing, and scaling the company’s technology ecosystem across the platform and all acquired businesses.
The CTO will own:
- Technology strategy aligned to the investment thesis
- M&A technology diligence and integration
- ERP, data, and systems architecture
- Cybersecurity, controls, and risk management
- IT operations, vendors, and spend governance
- Technology readiness for audit, diligence, and exit
This role requires a leader who can set direction, make decisions quickly, and execute under pressure.
Key Responsibilities
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Technology Strategy & PE Alignment
- Partner with CEO and PE sponsor to define a technology roadmap aligned to value creation
- Translate investment thesis into systems strategy, integration sequencing, and data priorities
- Serve as primary technology interface with the Board and Operating Partners
- Establish technology KPIs tied to uptime, scalability, integration velocity, and cost discipline
- Balance speed vs. perfection in fast-moving, M&A-driven environments
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M&A Technology Diligence & Integration
- Lead technology due diligence for all current and future acquisitions, including:
- ERP and core systems evaluation
- Data quality and reporting maturity
- Cybersecurity posture and risks
- IT cost structure and vendor dependencies
- Own Day 1 and Day 100 integration plans from a technology perspective
- Design and execute system migration, consolidation, or coexistence strategies
- Standardize core platforms while minimizing disruption to operations
- Identify technical debt early and build remediation plans
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ERP, Systems & Data Architecture
- Own selection, implementation, and optimization of ERP and core business systems
- Partner closely with CFO on:
- Financial systems and reporting architecture
- Data integrity, controls, and automation
- Close, forecasting, and KPI enablement
- Establish a scalable data architecture supporting:
- Real-time operational visibility
- Board and investor reporting
- Advanced analytics over time
- Reduce manual processes and system fragmentation across acquired entities
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Cybersecurity, Controls & Risk
- Establish and mature the company’s cybersecurity posture
- Implement security policies, access controls, and monitoring appropriate for a PE-backed company
- Ensure compliance with data privacy and regulatory requirements
- Partner with CFO and external advisors on:
- IT controls
- Audit readiness
- Diligence and buyer scrutiny
- Lead incident response planning and vendor risk management
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IT Operations & Vendor Management
- Build and lead an internal IT organization capable of supporting a multi-entity platform
- Decide what to build vs. buy vs. outsource
- Rationalize vendors and software spend post-acquisition
- Negotiate and manage third-party providers, MSPs, and SaaS vendors
- Ensure reliable, cost-effective IT support for corporate and operating company teams
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Enablement, Change & Adoption
- Drive adoption of new systems across acquired teams
- Partner with functional leaders to ensure technology enables—not slows—operations
- Lead change management related to system upgrades and integrations
- Build credibility quickly with legacy teams and operators
- Create clear communication around technology changes and timelines
Ideal Candidate Profile
Required Experience
- Prior experience as a CTO, VP of IT, or senior technology leader in a private equity–backed environment
- Direct experience supporting M&A integrations and platform builds
- Hands-on experience with ERP implementations and system integrations
- Strong understanding of cybersecurity, controls, and audit requirements
- Experience partnering directly with Boards, CEOs, CFOs, and PE sponsors
- Comfortable operating in imperfect, fast-paced environments
Preferred Background
- Experience in buy-and-build strategies (services, industrials, healthcare, consumer, SaaS, etc.)
- Exposure to companies transitioning from founder-led systems to institutional scale
- Experience preparing technology environments for exit or recap
- Blend of strategic leadership and operational execution
Leadership Attributes
- Execution-first mindset — prioritizes progress over theory
- Pragmatic, decisive, and data-driven
- Strong communicator with non-technical executives
- Comfortable making trade-offs in high-pressure environments
- Trusted partner to investors and operators alike
Why This Role Is Compelling
- Opportunity to build a technology platform from early innings
- Direct impact on value creation, integration speed, and exit readiness
- High-visibility role with Board and sponsor interaction
- Ability to shape long-term systems and architecture from the ground up
