Director, Advisor Technology Integrations - Kestra Financial

OpenTalent; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenTalent seeks a senior leader to own technology integration for acquisitions from deal close through full operational integration. You will lead due diligence, assess target technology stacks, and drive transformation roadmaps with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities include developing integration costs, synergy models, and governance while partnering with executives to minimize disruption and maximize value. This role demands strategic vision and hands-on execution.

Qualifications

• Experience leading technology integration for acquisitions.
• Strong vendor management and contract negotiation skills.
• Ability to develop integration roadmaps, cost estimates, and governance models.

Responsibilities

• Lead all technology due diligence activities for prospective acquisitions.
• Assess target firms' technology ecosystems, infrastructure, cybersecurity posture, data architecture, vendor relationships, and operational maturity.
• Identify integration risks, technical debt, contractual obligations, and scalability concerns.

Skills

Technology integration leadership

M&A due diligence

Stakeholder management

Tools

CRM systems

Data platforms

API frameworks

Job description

• Lead all technology due diligence activities for prospective acquisitions.
• Assess target firms' technology ecosystems, infrastructure, cybersecurity posture, data architecture, vendor relationships, and operational maturity.
• Identify integration risks, technical debt, contractual obligations, and scalability concerns that may impact transaction value or execution.
• Partner with Corporate Development and Executive Leadership to provide recommendations on technology-related acquisition risks and opportunities.
• Develop integration cost estimates, synergy models, and technology transformation roadmaps to support investment decisions.
• Own the technology integration strategy for acquired firms from deal close through full operational integration.
• Develop and continuously improve the M&A technology integration framework, governance model, and playbooks.
• Establish integration priorities that balance advisor experience, operational efficiency, security, and business outcomes.
• Lead complex migration initiatives involving CRM, portfolio management, financial planning, reporting, security, infrastructure, data platforms, and advisor-facing applications.
• Ensure acquisitions are successfully transitioned to Bluespring and Kestra preferred technology standards while minimizing disruption to advisors and end clients.
• Define future-state technology architectures that support scale, growth, and advisor productivity.
• Drive platform rationalization and vendor consolidation efforts to reduce technology complexity and operating costs.
• Establish standards for data integration, API frameworks, cybersecurity controls, and platform interoperability.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and identify opportunities to modernize the advisor technology experience.
• Lead technology vendor evaluations, selection processes, contract negotiations, and ongoing governance.
• Build executive relationships with strategic technology partners.
• Hold vendors accountable to roadmap commitments, service levels, implementation quality, and business outcomes.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives while ensuring advisor needs and business requirements are met.
• Serve as executive sponsor for technology integration programs and cross-functional initiatives.
• Establish executive-level reporting, integration scorecards, milestones, and risk management processes.
• Lead steering committee discussions and provide regular updates to senior leadership.
• Create visibility into integration progress, dependencies, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of integration leads, architects, consultants, project managers, and technology specialists.
• Foster a culture of accountability, execution, partnership, and continuous improvement.