Contract IT Director/CTO (Hybrid NYC)

For our direct client, a successful, growing investment management firm, we seek seeking an experienced Contract CTO / IT Director to assess, and then refine and elevate their technology environment. This is a newly created leadership role for a cloud-based Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) that is scaling rapidly and preparing for increased operational and regulatory demands.

The ideal consultant is hands-on, highly articulate, comfortable advising senior leadership, and able to quickly evaluate systems, vendors, and processes. The first several months will be involved with assessment of the current state, and then can be extended to help shape the firm s long-term technology strategy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current IT environment, including the current MSP's performance, cloud infrastructure, security posture, and application ecosystem.

• Review current MSP relationship and potentially run an RFP or recommend alternative support models.

• Ensure technology, processes, and controls align with RIA regulatory expectations and investor due-diligence standards.

• Oversee follow-ups from penetration tests, audits, and security assessments.

• Review and strengthen cybersecurity programs (MFA, email security, backup policies, endpoint protection, etc.).

• Advise leadership and when needed speak with investors or consultants about the firm s technology and security posture.

• Provide practical, actionable recommendations on how the firm should structure and staff IT going forward.

• Work closely with internal stakeholders across operations, compliance, and investment teams to understand needs and pain points.

Required Experience & Skills

• Experience working in a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) environment is a must-have.

• Proven success supporting/leading IT for 50 users.

• Strong background managing and evaluating MSP providers.

• Familiarity with RIA regulatory requirements, investor due-diligence processes, and responding to DDQs.

• Experience with pen testing processes, remediation planning, and security controls.

• Hands-on knowledge of common RIA/financial-services technologies, such as:

  • Office 365

  • Microsoft Dynamics CRM

  • Compliance platforms (e.g., Compliance Alpha, Schematic)

  • Email security tools (e.g., Mimecast)

  • Data/analytics and investment platforms (e.g., Trep, Costar, Argus)

  • Cloud-hosted environments (Azure / O365 ecosystem)

• Understanding of AI-related workflows (the firm is beginning to adopt AI tools).

• Strong verbal communication skills capable of explaining technical topics clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

• Self-starter, low-ego, figure it out mindset; comfortable operating independently with limited oversight.

• Ability to evaluate systems, identify gaps, and produce clear recommendations.

Logistics

• Hybrid NYC typically 2 3 days onsite per week.in midtown NYC office, a short walk from Grand Central.

• Full-time preferred (40 hrs/week), but open to fractional/part-time (20 hrs) for senior consultants with other clients.

• Standard hours approx. 9:00 5:30, with flexibility during projects.

• Initial term: 3 6 months, with the possibility of extension or conversion to a full-time IT leadership role as the firm grows.

Ideal Candidate

Someone who brings calm leadership, strong judgment, and deep RIA experience. You re analytical, articulate, collaborative, and able to quickly assess unfamiliar systems. You can operate independently, present confidently to executives and investors, and deliver clear recommendations that move the firm forward.

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