Director/VP Portfolio Support, Generative AI Strategy & Advisory

POSITION SUMMARY
Audax is seeking a GenAI Strategy & Advisory Director or Vice President to partner across our 50+ Private Equity portfolio companies (portcos) to identify, evaluate, and implement Generative AI (GenAI) solutions that drive meaningful business impact. This role will focus on working portco leadership teams on developing GenAI roadmaps that identify where and how to apply GenAI, managing third-party AI vendors and experts to delivery on the high value use cases, and ensuring solutions align with each company’s strategic objectives.

We’re looking for someone who can combine strategic thinking about how, where, when to leverage GenAI capabilities for business impact with an understanding of AI’s technical possibilities — translating GenAI capabilities into business value and effectively coordinating portfolio company internal and third party external specialists for execution. While deep hands-on tool expertise is not the primary focus of this role, we welcome candidates with strong technical backgrounds, particularly those who have excelled in AI-focused consulting (e.g., BCG Gamma, McKinsey QuantumBlack, Bain Vector, Opera Solutions, or similar AI strategy groups).

Location: Boston, On-Site 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

GenAI Strategy & Business Alignment

• Strategic Advisor: Act as a trusted AI advisor to Audax portcos, guiding C-suite executives and business leaders through AI opportunities and risks.
• Business Impact Focus: Identify high-value use cases for GenAI, aligning solutions with strategic priorities and performance goals.
• Roadmap Development: Craft AI adoption roadmaps, best practices, and frameworks to assist portcos in planning and executing AI transformations.
• Investment Analysis: Provide structured guidance on GenAI-related investments, including ROI analysis and feasibility assessments.

Third-Party AI Vendor & Partner Management

• Vendor Identification & Oversight: Identify, vet, and manage third-party AI consultants, vendors, and engineering firms to implement AI initiatives.
• Technical Translation: Serve as the liaison between portco leadership and AI experts, ensuring business needs are clearly communicated and addressed.
• Market Awareness: Stay current on emerging AI vendors, technologies, and industry trends to recommend best-in-class solutions to portcos.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate partnerships with AI providers, research institutions, and strategic technology firms to maintain cutting-edge insights.

AI Education & Change Management

• Executive Education: Educate and brief portco executives on GenAI fundamentals, real-world capabilities, and limitations in a business context.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Lead workshops, training sessions, and executive briefings to foster AI literacy and drive stakeholder buy-in.
• Knowledge Sharing: Develop AI playbooks, case studies, and success stories to propagate best practices throughout the portfolio.

Internal Collaboration & Value Creation

• Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with Audax investment and portfolio operations teams to incorporate AI considerations into broader value creation strategies.
• Operational Improvements: Identify opportunities for AI-driven optimization—from automating processes to enhancing customer insights—across portfolio companies.
• Investment Support: Support AI-influenced decision-making in deal sourcing, due diligence, and investment analysis as needed.

WHO YOU ARE

1. AI-Savvy & Business-Minded: You understand AI’s capabilities but always focus on measurable business outcomes.
2. Experienced in AI Consulting: Ideally, you’ve worked at BCG Gamma, McKinsey QuantumBlack, Bain Vector, Opera Solutions, or a similar AI strategy group.
3. Strong Communicator & Advisor: You can engage C-level executives, demystify AI concepts, and build consensus around AI initiatives.
4. Skilled at Managing External Experts: You’re adept at evaluating and coordinating with third-party AI vendors to ensure project success.
5. Private Equity & Mid-Market Familiarity: Experience with PE-backed or mid-market companies is a plus (though not required).

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant technical field (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence) OR in Business, Economics, or Finance with demonstrable exposure to AI/ML concepts.

Experience (4-7 years):

• Proven track record in AI consulting, strategy, or digital transformation roles, preferably at an AI-focused consulting practice.

AI Industry Awareness & Partner Scouting:

• Ability to track, assess, and recommend emerging AI technologies, vendors, and solutions.
• Experience in scouting and managing partnerships with AI providers, research labs, or tech firms.

Business & Change Management Skills:

• Experience driving AI adoption within organizations, including stakeholder management and change leadership.
• Proven ability to structure AI initiatives, build compelling business cases, and facilitate execution through external specialists.

WHY JOIN AUDAX?

Join us for the opportunity to shape the AI landscape across a diverse portfolio of mid-market companies—guiding strategic GenAI adoption and leveraging top-tier external resources. If you’re passionate about the intersection of AI, business strategy, and private equity, this role will give you a high-impact platform to drive tangible outcomes.

Audax offers a wide range of employee benefits, including health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, paid time off (including sick leave, parental leave, volunteer leave, and vacation), charitable donation match, family support services (including Bright Horizons and Benefit Advocate Center), and a 401(k) in addition to other benefits.