Role Overview for Chief Information Officer (CIO) with a PE-backed Industrial Group – Pittsburgh, PA
JRG Partners is proud to conduct an exclusive executive search for a visionary and results-driven Chief Information Officer (CIO) on behalf of our client, a high-growth, private equity-backed industrial manufacturing group headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. This is a pivotal leadership role for a technology executive poised to make a significant impact on a company at a critical inflection point of expansion and transformation. The successful candidate will be a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and will be instrumental in shaping and executing a technology strategy that supports aggressive growth, operational excellence, and substantial value creation.
Our client is a market leader in its niche, with a strong foundation and a clear mandate from its private equity sponsors to scale rapidly through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The new CIO will inherit a foundational IT environment and be tasked with architecting a sophisticated, scalable, and secure technology ecosystem. This role requires a unique blend of strategic foresight, hands-on leadership, and deep expertise in integrating disparate systems, particularly in a post-merger and acquisition (M&A) context. You will be the driving force behind the company’s digital transformation, leveraging technology to create competitive advantages, streamline operations, and provide critical data-driven insights to the executive team and the board. This is a career-defining opportunity to build a world-class IT organization from the ground up and play a direct role in the successful financial outcome of a premier PE investment.
Key Responsibilities of Chief Information Officer (CIO) with a PE-backed Industrial Group – Pittsburgh, PA
The CIO will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, encompassing technology vision, execution, and leadership. Success in this role will be measured by the ability to create a stable, scalable, and forward-looking technology platform that enables business growth and profitability.
Strategic IT Leadership & Vision
Develop and communicate a clear, long-term technology vision and roadmap that aligns with the company’s strategic objectives and the value creation plan of the private equity sponsor. Serve as the primary technology advisor to the CEO, CFO, and other executive leaders.
Private Equity & M&A Integration
Lead all IT due diligence for potential acquisitions. Develop and execute a repeatable, efficient playbook for post-merger integration of acquired companies’ systems, infrastructure, data, and teams, ensuring minimal business disruption and rapid synergy realization.
Enterprise Systems & Architecture
Oversee the selection, implementation, and optimization of all enterprise applications. This includes leading the strategy for a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system suitable for a multi-site manufacturing environment, as well as CRM, SCM, MES, and other critical business systems.
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
Architect and maintain a comprehensive, modern cybersecurity program to protect the company’s information assets, intellectual property, and operational technology (OT). Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and data privacy standards, and establish a resilient disaster recovery and business continuity plan.
Infrastructure & Operations Modernization
Lead the evolution of the company’s IT infrastructure, including network, servers, and cloud services. Develop a cloud strategy (Azure/AWS) that balances cost, performance, and scalability. Ensure the reliability, availability, and performance of all IT systems and services across multiple locations.
Data Strategy & Business Intelligence
Champion a data-driven culture by establishing a cohesive data governance framework and implementing modern business intelligence (BI) and analytics tools. Provide the executive team and PE sponsors with timely, accurate data and dashboards to support strategic decision-making.
Team Leadership & Development
Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing, agile IT organization. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, and continuous improvement. Structure the IT team to effectively support a growing and geographically dispersed enterprise.
Financial & Vendor Management
Develop and manage the annual IT operating and capital budgets, ensuring investments are aligned with strategic priorities and deliver a clear return on investment (ROI). Skillfully negotiate contracts and manage relationships with key technology vendors, service providers, and consultants to maximize value and performance.
Requirements for the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with a PE-backed Industrial Group – Pittsburgh, PA
We are seeking a seasoned and dynamic technology leader with a proven track record of success in complex, fast-paced environments. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Information Technology, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership capacity (e.g., CIO, VP of IT, IT Director) responsible for enterprise-wide IT strategy and operations.
Private Equity Experience
Direct experience working within a private equity-backed portfolio company is strongly preferred. Candidates must understand the pace, metrics, and value-creation mindset inherent in a PE environment.
Industry Background
Significant experience in the industrial, manufacturing, or distribution sectors is required. Familiarity with manufacturing-specific systems (ERP, MES) and the convergence of IT and Operational Technology (OT) is critical.
M&A Expertise
Demonstrable, hands-on experience leading the IT component of multiple M&A transactions, from due diligence through to full post-merger integration.
Technical Acumen
Broad and deep technical knowledge across key domains including ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Infor), cloud infrastructure (Azure, AWS), modern cybersecurity frameworks (NIST), data analytics, and network architecture.
Leadership & Communication Skills
Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to inspire and motivate a team. Must be a superb communicator, capable of articulating a complex technology vision to technical and non-technical audiences, including C-suite executives and the Board of Directors.
Business Acumen
Strong financial literacy and a proven ability to manage budgets, control costs, and link technology investments directly to business outcomes. A strategic thinker who can operate at both the 30,000-foot level and the detailed, tactical level when necessary.
Education
A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field is required. An MBA or other advanced degree is highly desirable.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and compelling compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain a top-tier executive. This includes:
- Competitive Base Salary
- Aggressive Annual Performance-Based Bonus
- Significant Equity Participation / Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
- Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holiday Schedule
- Executive-Level Professional Development Opportunities
- Relocation Assistance for the ideal candidate
How to Apply
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained for this critical search. If you are a transformative technology leader with a passion for driving growth in a dynamic, private equity-backed environment, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this confidential opportunity, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience. For more information or to explore other executive opportunities, please visit the JRG Partners’ Technology Officers Practice page. We look forward to connecting with you and discussing how your background aligns with this exciting role.
