Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Knowledge Officer (CTKO)

Harbor is a high-growth, private equity-backed global consulting and technology services firm, formed from the merger of nine specialized consulting and technology businesses. Leveraging the unique strengths of these entities, the company is building an integrated and scalable organization dedicated to delivering world-class technology-enabled solutions and consulting services. As part of this growth, the firm is establishing a Chief Technology and Knowledge Officer (CTKO) role at the EVP level to shape and oversee its technology infrastructure, products, user experience, and knowledge management functions.

The Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Knowledge Officer (CTKO) will be responsible for architecting, developing, and leading the company's IT infrastructure, user experience (UX) initiatives, and a new Knowledge Group. This individual will also partner with and help to enable the team responsible for Harbor’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy. Reporting directly to the President, this leader will be a key member of the Company’s Operating Committee. They will drive the development and execution of a technology roadmap and build a knowledge-sharing culture, while developing tools and platforms that support internal efficiencies, client delivery excellence, and intelligent automation. The CTKO will professionalize and optimize technology and knowledge, ensuring the alignment of people, processes, and technology to the company’s growth objectives. This role requires a blend of strategic, technical, and operational expertise, with a strong focus on continuous improvement, budget management, and value creation. The role also requires experience in global team management. It will have 4-6 direct reports and a larger team responsibility for a growing team with a headcount of up to 30 people in the first year.  This is a remote/hybrid position, with preference for candidates in the USA, Canada or UK.  

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership and Roadmap Development 

• Develop and execute comprehensive technology, knowledge management, and product strategy aligned with the company’s overall growth objectives. 
• Build and maintain roadmaps for IT infrastructure, UX, knowledge management, and AI capabilities, focusing on scalability, security, and integration across acquired entities. 
• Establish policies and frameworks to enhance technology usage, drive internal knowledge-sharing and collaboration, and integrate AI for competitive advantage. 
• Develop and manage the budget for these areas with careful cost management to enable key strategic investments. 
• Develop and lead the Technology Steering Committee to ensure that key investments are well-informed by the needs of the business and well-supported throughout production.  

IT Infrastructure and Operations 

• Oversee the design, development, and deployment of a modern, robust, secure IT infrastructure to support the company’s growing needs. 
• Modernize legacy systems, unify disparate IT environments inherited through acquisitions, and implement AI-driven solutions to optimize IT operations and service delivery. 
• Drive continuous improvement in systems, processes, and technology platforms, ensuring optimal performance, cost-effectiveness, and user satisfaction. 

User Experience and Digital Transformation 

• Lead the development of a seamless, intuitive user experience (UX) across all digital touchpoints, both internal and external. 
• Implement AI-driven tools and insights to personalize user experiences and enhance client and employee engagement. 
• Drive digital transformation initiatives to modernize tools, systems, and processes, integrating AI solutions to enable efficiencies and predictive capabilities in service delivery. 

Knowledge Management and Collaboration 

• Establish and lead a new Knowledge Group dedicated to knowledge creation, sharing, and management across the organization. 
• Develop and implement digital platforms and tools that enhance knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and real-time access to information. 
• Create strategies for AI-driven content curation, knowledge capture, and dissemination to support a culture of continuous learning and improvement. 

Innovation 

• Develop and execute strategies to support internal efficiencies, enhance client service offerings, and drive innovation in product development. 
• Identify and implement tools, platforms, and algorithms that add value across operational and client service functions. 
• Stay current with emerging technologies and applications, and assess their potential impact on the organization, integrating relevant solutions where appropriate. 

Team Development and Cross-functional Leadership 

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team across technology and knowledge management. 
• Collaborate with leaders across the organization to ensure technology, knowledge, and resources meet evolving business needs. 
• Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and proactive problem-solving across IT and knowledge teams. 

Risk Management and Compliance 

• Ensure compliance with relevant IT security, data privacy regulations, and ethical considerations. 
• Establish policies and governance frameworks to safeguard company information, intellectual property, and ensure responsible deployment. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field; an advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MIS) is highly preferred. 
• 15 years of experience in technology and knowledge management roles, with at least 5 years in a senior executive capacity. 
• Proven experience leading technology infrastructure, IT operations, and knowledge management within a consulting or professional services environment, with a strong understanding of AI applications in business contexts. 
• Demonstrated success in building and executing digital transformation strategies, ideally within a multi-entity or M&A environment. 
• Experience in integrating systems and making major technology system changes, driving digital transformation, or post-merger technology assessments/integrations preferred.  
• Strong leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams and fostering a culture of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation. 
• Expertise in AI tools, UX design, digital product development, and knowledge management frameworks. 
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and align cross-functional teams around technology, knowledge, and AI initiatives. 
• Familiarity with technology ethics, IT governance frameworks, and cybersecurity best practices. 

Key Competencies: 

• Strategic Vision and Execution 
• Operational Excellence 
• Team Leadership and Development 
• Innovation and Agility 
• Collaboration and Influence 
• Risk Management and Compliance