Director, Portfolio Operations (Finance), Private Equity

Location: New York or Toronto preferred; in-office at least 3-4 days per week in either location. Engagement Type: Contract-to-hire role. Initial interim engagement from October to December, with strong potential to convert to a full-time role if the fit is right. Timing: Near-term start; goal is to engage 1–2 portfolio companies before year-end; initial 3-month engagement.

The Opportunity: Our client is launching an important new cross-portfolio initiative, focused on identifying where AI can create the most meaningful value across its portfolio companies within the Office of the CFO. The team has already developed a structured diagnostic methodology; what they need now is an experienced finance operator to take that framework directly into portfolio companies and start generating results. This is a hands-on, execution-focused engagement. The person in this seat will engage directly with portfolio company finance leadership, run the diagnostic, and help define a concrete roadmap for AI-driven improvement, starting with one to two portfolio companies before year-end. The candidate will ideally have a foundation in Management Consulting or Big 4 with a focus on office of CFO; or prior corporate roles in finance (CFO, FP&A, controllership, financial operations, revenue operations).Operator background preferred over pure consulting — someone who has led or been embedded within a finance or financial operations function, not just advised on one from the outside. A genuine finance subject-matter expert — able to look at a process, workflow, or reporting output and immediately sense when something isn't right, and know where to press for answers. Forward-thinking and AI-native (or strong RPA/automation exposure) — genuinely comfortable evaluating and recommending emerging technology solutions, not just legacy process fixes. Executive presence — credible and comfortable operating at the Office of the CFO level with portfolio company finance leadership. Sector exposure a plus, not required: PE preferred, with experience in multisite healthcare; industrial, commercial, and residential services; managed service provider (MSP) businesses also preferred but not required. Why This RoleHigh-visibility mandate directly within the Private Equity Ops & Strategy group, working across a marquee portfolio of companies. A rare seat at the intersection of finance operations and AI strategy — shaping how a major institutional investor thinks about AI value creation portfolio-wide. Clear, realistic pathway from interim engagement to a permanent role for the right person – the first person to hold this role at the firm. Compensation will be competitive, on a daily-rate basis for the interim period.