It Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Cedar Pine is seeking a Head of Technology to serve as the firm’s senior technology leader and oversee the strategy, execution, and day-to-day management of the firm’s technology function. This role will lead an established IT function, oversee cybersecurity strategy and controls, and help shape the firm’s approach to AI and emerging technology. The ideal candidate is a pragmatic, technically credible leader who is equally comfortable developing people, reviewing technical work, evaluating vendors, and presenting a clear technology roadmap to firm leaders. The Head of Technology will manage and develop a small, growing team, partner with firm leaders on business priorities, and ensure technology capabilities are scalable, secure, and aligned with Cedar Pine’s long-term objectives

Cedar Pine requires five days per week onsite in Northbrook for this role.

• Define, maintain, and communicate the firm’s technology roadmap in alignment with business priorities established by Cedar Pine’s leadership.

• Own technology planning, budgeting, vendor relationships, and software and infrastructure procurement decisions.

• Serve as the senior escalation point for technology matters across Cedar Pine and its affiliated entities.

• Establish engineering standards, development practices, documentation expectations, and governance processes that support consistent, high-quality delivery.

• Own and continuously improve Cedar Pine’s cybersecurity strategy, standards, policies, and controls across infrastructure, applications, data, identity, endpoints, and cloud environments.
• Assess cybersecurity risk, prioritize remediation, and ensure vulnerabilities, access controls, incident response readiness, and business continuity considerations are addressed proactively.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external vendors to manage security operations, third‑party technology risk, cyber insurance requirements, audits, and security‑related due diligence.
• Embed security, privacy, data governance, and operational risk requirements into the technology roadmap, AI adoption, software selection, infrastructure decisions, and day‑to‑day technology operations.

• Develop and lead Cedar Pine’s enterprise‑wide AI strategy by assessing internal needs, identifying opportunities to embed AI into workflows, and setting priorities for practical adoption across the firm.
• Provide technical guidance and quality oversight for AI‑enabled development, including LLM integrations, workflow automation, and agentic tools where appropriate.
• Train and support employees in the effective, responsible use of AI, including maintaining ongoing education as AI capabilities, tools, and risks evolve.
• Advise firm leadership on the AI and emerging technology landscape, including relevant opportunities, limitations, business value, and implementation risks.
• Evaluate AI features introduced by existing platforms and third‑party vendors before adoption, ensuring they meet Cedar Pine’s standards for security, privacy, and data governance.

• Lead, coach, and develop the IT Manager through clear expectations, regular feedback, and a genuine investment in continued professional growth.
• Support the IT Associate’s development in partnership with the IT Manager, reinforcing a cohesive and well‑functioning IT team.
• Foster a team culture grounded in clear communication, accountability, continuous improvement, intellectual curiosity, and pragmatic problem‑solving.
• Evaluate and make recommendations on technology stack, frameworks, tools, and third‑party integrations for new and existing projects.
• Maintain sufficient technical fluency to assess quality, identify risks, guide architectural tradeoffs, and make credible build‑versus‑buy decisions.

• 10+ years of progressive experience in technology roles, including at least five years in a leadership, strategic development and people management capacity.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and develop individuals across varying experience levels, with a leadership style that builds trust and brings out the best in others.
• Hands‑on software development experience, including production code contributions and proficiency in at least one modern web stack such as JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, or Node.js.
• Practical knowledge of AI tools and LLM‑based applications, with an ability to assess how these systems work, where they create value, and where they introduce risk.
• Experience overseeing IT infrastructure, cloud environments, cybersecurity fundamentals, system reliability, and technology operations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non‑technical stakeholders and create practical documentation that teams will use.
• Track record of managing technology budgets, vendor relationships, procurement processes, and cross‑functional technology initiatives.

Cedar Pine believes in embracing an environment that empowers our employees to amplify their potential and create enduring value for our Firm and its investments. One of the many ways we invest in our culture and people is through a competitive, comprehensive benefits package such as:

• Subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision benefits
• Ancillary benefits such as Life Insurance, short and long‑term disability, FSA plan, and 401(k) program
• Paid time off, sick leave, holidays
• Discretionary bonuses based on employee contributions, time‑in‑role, and company performance
• Long‑term bonus program designed to reward employees for time spent with the Firm
• Daily onsite lunch stipend program
• “Last mile” transportation coverage for those commuting via train
• Gym membership reimbursement program
• Education and Tuition reimbursement program to further our employee’s development in areas related to their role in the company
• Regular onsite and offsite cultural events hosted throughout the year to provide opportunities for employee networking outside of office hours
• A variety of charitable giving programs and opportunities to volunteer and give back on behalf of the firm

Compensation Range:

$225,000 and $2 50,000 annually. Compensation is dependent on qualifications, experience, and other factors. The salary offered will align with the Company’s budgeted amount for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Cedar Pine is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran’s status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.