Head of AI M&A Group

IFS•Itasca, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This executive role owns the post-acquisition AI value agenda across the acquired companies group. The VP is accountable for identifying, prioritizing, and delivering AI driven commercial and operational value, ensuring acquired entities converge into a unified, scalable AI operating model. This is not an advisory or strategy role — this is an execution backed value owner with authority to approve, stop, or redirect AI initiatives across the acquired portfolio.

Requirements

Demonstrated ownership of AI driven business outcomes (not advisory or strategy only)
Experience forcing convergence post acquisition or in complex multi entity environments
Track record of shutting down misaligned or low value technology initiatives
Executive level influence and comfort handling political resistance
Deep understanding of AI, ML, and enterprise data platforms at a “decision-making” level
Prior experience in enterprise software, SaaS, or multi-product technology preferred

Responsibilities

AI Value Ownership
Own the AI value roadmap for the acquired companies group, including:
Revenue acceleration (new SKUs, cross sell, attach, deal velocity)
Margin improvement
Cost takeout and automation
GTM productivity
Customer experience uplift
→ Accountable executive for delivering portfolio level AI outcomes.
Authority & Decision Rights
The VP AI holds:
Approval rights for AI investment across acquired companies
Authority to stop, redirect, or standardize AI initiatives
Escalation rights over acquired entity CTOs, CPOs, and functional leaders
Prioritization authority for AI resource allocation, platforms, and tooling
→ This role is empowered to enforce convergence and eliminate fragmentation.
Strategy Ownership
Define the AI operating model for the acquired companies group
Establish the unified AI platform, architecture, and data standards
Set enterprise wide AI governance, including risk, ethics, and performance baselines
Determine the portfolio AI thesis for value uplift in each acquisition
Execution Governance
While execution occurs in local teams, the VP:
Sets required deliverables
Approves roadmaps and OKRs
Holds leaders accountable for delivery and timelines
Enforces shutdown of low-value or duplicative programs
Ensures integration milestones are hit
Integration & Change Leadership
Integrate acquired companies into IFS’s AI operating model
Lead convergence decisions on:
Platforms
Data models
AI applications
Go to market enablement
• Drive organizational alignment across Product, R&D, CS, Sales, HR, and Finance