SVP, Data & AI Transformation

Vista Equity Partners; New York (NY); On-site; USD 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Vista Equity Partners is seeking an SVP, Data & AI Transformation to lead the firm’s AI and data strategy and execution within its Technology organization. The role reports to the CIO and will shape governance, capability development, and responsible AI across Vista’s global operations.

The ideal candidate has a proven history of enterprise transformation, leading teams, and driving measurable improvements in productivity and decision-making in fast-evolving technology environments.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience leading enterprise technology, AI, data, or consulting organizations.
• Strong ability to develop and execute enterprise transformation strategies with measurable outcomes.
• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams and driving organizational change.
• Experience with governance frameworks, operating models, and change management for scalable tech adoption.
• Strong commercial mindset to prioritize investments and translate innovation into business value.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with ability to influence executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive Vista's enterprise AI and data strategy and transformation roadmap.
• Lead the enterprise AI and data roadmap and product prioritization, ensuring high-value opportunities are funded.
• Own the enterprise data strategy including governance and foundational architecture for scalable AI.
• Build and run a high-performing team of data engineers, AI enablement staff, and platform engineers.
• Partner with leaders to prioritize and deliver AI- and data-enabled initiatives to improve efficiency and decision-making.
• Establish KPIs and report on AI adoption, business value realization, and ROI across the enterprise.
• Oversee partnerships with AI/data vendors and ensure responsible AI practices and governance.

Skills

AI leadership

Data strategy

Enterprise transformation

Stakeholder management

People leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Job description

Vista Equity Partners is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and strategic SVP, Data & AI Transformation to be a senior leader within Vista's Technology organization, leading the firm's enterprise AI and data transformation capabilities. This role reports directly to the Chief Information Officer and will drive the strategic planning, development, and execution of Vista's enterprise AI and data strategy, owning the vision, strategy, and roadmap for AI and data initiatives that transform how the firm operates, makes investment decisions, and delivers value across its global business.

The successful candidate will bring strong leadership skills, build relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and enable responsible AI innovation across the firm - underpinned by a modern, governed data foundation. The role prioritizes AI and data investments that deliver measurable outcomes in productivity, decision-making, and operational efficiency, and embeds AI and data capabilities into Vista's operations, processes, and products.

Partnering closely with firm leaders, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape one of Vista's most strategic technology capabilities. The ideal candidate has a proven history of leading enterprise transformation, influencing executive stakeholders, building high-performing teams, and driving organizational change in fast-evolving technology environments.

This role is for an immediate start and will be located in our Austin, TX or New York, NY office locations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive an industry-leading enterprise AI and data organization by providing strategic leadership on AI technologies, data platforms, vendors, and operating models that accelerate business performance and innovation.
• Define and execute Vista's enterprise AI and data strategy and transformation roadmap, ensuring investments are aligned with the firm's strategic priorities and deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Lead the firm's enterprise AI and data roadmap and product prioritization process, ensuring technology resources, engineering capacity, and investment are directed toward the highest-value opportunities.
• Own the firm's enterprise data strategy, including data governance, data quality, and the foundational architecture needed to scale AI reliably and responsibly.
• Build and run a high-performing team of data engineers, AI enablement personnel, and AI platform engineers.
• Define and operationalize the "AI citizen-developer" process to enable Vista employees to leverage AI in meaningful ways while remaining secure and compliant with firm policies
• Partner with leaders across Vista to identify, prioritize, and deliver AI- and data-enabled initiatives that improve operational efficiency, decision-making, employee productivity, and investment capabilities.
• Establish, maintain, and report upon key performance indicators that measure AI and data adoption, business value realization, operational impact, and return on investment across the enterprise.
• Lead enterprise AI and data transformation initiatives by developing business cases, defining success metrics, driving organizational alignment, and overseeing implementation and adoption across the firm.
• Oversee strategic partnerships with AI and data technology providers, implementation partners, and other external vendors to accelerate Vista's capabilities and maximize business value.
• Foster AI and data literacy and adoption across the organization by establishing education, enablement, and change management programs that help employees effectively and responsibly leverage these technologies.
• Maintain a strong understanding of emerging AI and data technologies, market trends, and productivity platforms, translating new capabilities into practical business applications that create competitive advantage for Vista.
• Partner closely with Information Security, Legal, Compliance, and Risk Management to ensure AI and data technologies are deployed in accordance with regulatory requirements, security standards, data governance practices, and responsible AI principles.
• Communicate key stakeholder insights and advise executive leadership on AI and data strategy, investment priorities, and emerging opportunities that enable the business to grow, innovate, and scale.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience leading enterprise technology, AI, data, digital transformation, product management, strategy, or consulting organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing enterprise transformation strategies with measurable business outcomes.
• Strong history of building, managing, and developing high-performing teams while attracting and retaining top technology and data talent.
• Proven track record leading large-scale organizational change initiatives and driving enterprise adoption of new technologies.
• Strong understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning, generative AI, automation technologies, enterprise data strategy, data governance, and modern technology platforms.
• Experience developing enterprise governance frameworks, operating models, and change management programs that support scalable technology and data adoption.
• Strong commercial mindset with demonstrated ability to prioritize investments, evaluate emerging technologies, and translate innovation into measurable business value.
• Experience managing strategic technology and data vendors and external partnerships.
• Familiarity with regulatory, privacy, security, and compliance considerations associated with enterprise AI and data deployment.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills with demonstrated ability to influence executive stakeholders across a complex, global organization.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, Business, or a related field.

Company Overview

Vista Equity Partners (Vista) is a leading global technology investor specializing in software. Through its private market strategies - private equity and private credit - and tailored private wealth solutions, Vista seeks to deliver differentiated returns using a proprietary, disciplined approach. Over 25 years, the firm has built a diversified portfolio of mission-critical software companies serving millions worldwide. Vista’s private equity strategy actively partners with its portfolio to harness transformative technologies like generative AI, driving innovation and operational excellence at scale. Further information is available at vistaequitypartners.com.