Head of Technology

Cedar Pine is seeking a Head of Technology to serve as the firm’s senior technology leader, overseeing strategy, execution, and day-to-day management of the technology function. This role leads an established IT team, drives cybersecurity strategy, and shapes the firm’s approach to AI and emerging technology. The ideal candidate is a pragmatic, technically credible leader comfortable developing people, reviewing technical work, evaluating vendors, and presenting a clear technology roadmap to firm leaders.

Responsibilities

• Technology Leadership and Strategy
  • Define, maintain, and communicate the firm’s technology roadmap in alignment with business priorities.
  • Own technology planning, budgeting, vendor relationships, and procurement decisions for software and infrastructure.
  • Serve as the senior escalation point for technology matters across Cedar Pine and its affiliated entities.
  • Establish engineering standards, development practices, documentation expectations, and governance processes for consistent, high-quality delivery.
• Cybersecurity, Risk Management, and Controls
  • Own and continuously improve Cedar Pine’s cybersecurity strategy, standards, policies, and controls across infrastructure, applications, data, identity, endpoints, and cloud environments.
  • Assess cybersecurity risk, prioritize remediation, and ensure vulnerabilities, access controls, incident response readiness, and business continuity are addressed proactively.
  • Partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors to manage security operations, third-party technology risk, cyber insurance, audits, and security-related due diligence.
  • Embed security, privacy, data governance, and operational risk requirements into the technology roadmap, AI adoption, software selection, infrastructure decisions, and day-to-day operations.
• AI and Emerging Technology
  • Develop and lead Cedar Pine’s enterprise-wide AI strategy by assessing internal needs, identifying opportunities for AI integration, and setting priorities for adoption.
  • Provide technical guidance and quality oversight for AI-enabled development, including LLM integrations, workflow automation, and agentic tools.
  • Train and support employees in the effective, responsible use of AI, including ongoing education as tools and risks evolve.
  • Advise firm leadership on the AI and emerging technology landscape, including opportunities, limitations, business value, and implementation risks.
  • Evaluate AI features introduced by existing platforms and third-party vendors to ensure they meet Cedar Pine’s standards for security, privacy, and data governance.
• People Leadership and Team Development
  • Lead, coach, and develop the IT Manager through clear expectations, regular feedback, and investment in professional growth.
  • Support the IT Associate’s development in partnership with the IT Manager to reinforce a cohesive team.
  • Foster a team culture grounded in communication, accountability, continuous improvement, and pragmatic problem-solving.
  • Evaluate and recommend technology stack, frameworks, tools, and third-party integrations for projects.
  • Maintain technical fluency to assess quality, identify risks, guide architectural tradeoffs, and make credible build-versus-buy decisions.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive experience in technology roles, including at least five years in leadership, strategic development, and people management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop individuals across experience levels, with a leadership style that builds trust.
• Hands-on software development experience, including production code contributions and proficiency in a modern web stack (e.g., JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, or Node.js).
• Practical knowledge of AI tools and LLM-based applications, with the ability to assess value and risk.
• Experience overseeing IT infrastructure, cloud environments, cybersecurity fundamentals, system reliability, and technology operations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Track record of managing technology budgets, vendor relationships, procurement processes, and cross-functional initiatives.

Benefits

• Subsidized medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Ancillary benefits: life insurance, short- and long-term disability, FSA plan, and 401(k) program.
• Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays.
• Discretionary bonuses based on employee contributions, time-in-role, and company performance.
• Long-term bonus program to reward tenure.
• Daily onsite lunch stipend program.
• “Last mile” transportation coverage for train commuters.
• Gym membership reimbursement program.
• Education and tuition reimbursement for role-related development.
• Regular onsite and offsite cultural events for networking.
• Charitable giving programs and volunteer opportunities.

Pay

Compensation range: $225,000–$250,000 annually, dependent on qualifications, experience, and other factors.

Schedule

Five days per week onsite in Northbrook.