Chief Technology Officer

Chief Technology Officer

On Site and Hybrid, suitable for commuting from Edinburgh or the Scottish Borders.

A well‑established, regulated professional services firm is seeking a pragmatic, hands‑on Chief Technology Officer to lead a firm‑wide technology and AI transformation.

The organization currently operates across a number of internally hosted legacy systems and manual processes. While stable, this environment now limits efficiency, data quality, scalability, and the ability to adopt AI‑enabled capabilities that could materially enhance client service delivery.

This is a senior leadership role with real influence, requiring a CTO who can combine strategic vision with practical execution in a regulated, partnership‑led environment.

The CTO will be accountable for designing and delivering a modern, secure, AI‑enabled technology environment. This includes stabilizing and modernizing existing infrastructure, improving data quality and accessibility, embedding automation, and establishing robust governance across IT, data, and AI use.

You will work closely with the senior leadership team to ensure technology investments directly support efficiency, compliance, and client value, while leading a high‑performing internal IT function and key external partners.

• Lead, develop, and inspire a responsive, service‑oriented IT team supporting internal and external stakeholders.
• Stabilize and optimize the existing technology landscape, strengthening security, reliability, and performance.
• Define and deliver a clear, phased technology and AI roadmap aligned to business strategy and client needs.
• Modernize and integrate core systems, accelerating cloud adoption and enabling advanced analytics and AI use cases.
• Introduce automation and workflow optimization to reduce manual effort and increase productivity.
• Implement strong governance frameworks covering cybersecurity, data management, and responsible AI use, ensuring compliance with GDPR, emerging AI regulation, and professional standards.
• Build internal capability in data, analytics, and digital operations, while managing vendors and technology partners effectively.

• Proven experience modernizing legacy environments within professional services or similarly regulated sectors.
• Strong background in technology, data, and AI strategy with demonstrable delivery outcomes.
• Solid understanding of infrastructure, systems integration, cloud platforms, cybersecurity, and data architecture.
• Practical knowledge of AI tools, analytics, and automation in a business context.
• Experienced in change management and senior stakeholder engagement within traditional or partnership‑led organizations.
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands‑on levels to deliver tangible results.

• Legacy platforms replaced with secure, user‑friendly, AI‑ready systems.
• Improved operational efficiency, insight generation, and client service quality.
• Reduced technology and data risk through strong governance and accountability.
• Firm‑wide data readiness enabling analytics and responsible AI adoption.
• A scalable, innovation‑ready technology foundation supporting future growth.

Senior level:
Director

Employment type:

Full‑time

Job function:
Information Technology

Industries:
Professional Services, Legal Services, and Accounting

For a confidential discussion, please apply or contact me,
Ewan Jardine at