Head of Product & Solutions Architecture

Harris Williams & Co•Richmond, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Harris Williams is seeking a Head of Product & Solutions Architecture to lead the strategic design and delivery of the technology that powers our deal-making and firm-wide services. This is a high-impact, build-oriented leadership role that sits at the intersection of investment banking, product strategy, application delivery, and artificial intelligence. You will lead the team that serves as the firm’s architect for digital services, intelligent platforms, automated workflows, and data access — translating complex business needs into scalable applications that increase efficiency, unlock insight, and expand secure data sharing, while embedding AI into how the firm works. A defining mandate of this role is to evolve and elevate the firm’s Product function: clarifying how the team is organized, aligning talent to priorities, strengthening practices, and modernizing the operating model through which product strategy is delivered. You will build Generative AI skills, tools, and standards into the firm’s product and solution architecture methodology, and develop a cohesive, high-performing team that partners closely with our business and engineering colleagues. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead how Product is practiced at Harris Williams, a leading M&A and private capital advisory firm. Rather than following an established playbook, you will set the strategy, structure, and standards for the firm's Product function, with Generative AI at the center of that vision. Shape the function. Define the operating model, team, and roadmap for the firm's Product function, with a clear mandate to modernize. AI at the forefront. Help lead the firm's adoption of Generative AI across deal workflows, from document analysis and market research to comparable analysis and pitch preparation, defining where the technology creates real advantage. A direct line to the business. Partner with senior dealmakers and firm leaders, translating frontline challenges into technology that measurably improves how deals get done. Firm-wide impact. Your work spans CRM, deal origination and execution, finance, talent, and data.

Requirements

15+ years of progressive experience in technology leadership, product management, and product architecture — ideally within financial services or professional services.
A track record of building or leading delivery functions spanning Product and Technology, including driving improvement in the software delivery lifecycle (SDLC).
Experience leading and delivering roadmaps across complex enterprise domains, with a preference in financial services.
Familiarity with investment banking workflows, deal processes, or financial data ecosystems is highly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Exceptional communication and executive presence, with the ability to influence and build trust with business leaders.
Strong foundation in product architecture and a history of leading complex, multi-stakeholder technology programs.
Ability to hold both strategic vision and delivery accountability across multiple domains simultaneously.
A decisive, structured leader who can define operating models and create role clarity in ambiguous environments.
A data-driven decision maker experienced in defining and tracking measures of product value.
Proven ability to build technically oriented delivery teams spanning product through development.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
Application Development, Business Management, Customer Solutions, Design, Group Problem Solving, Process Improvements, Release Management, Software Solutions, User Experience (UX) Design
Application Delivery Process, Application Development (Client/Server), Application Development (Object-Oriented), Application Development Tools, Application Localization and Internationalization, IT Environment, Software Process Improvement (SPI)
Higher level education such as a Masters degree, PhD, or certifications is desirable.
Industry-relevant experience is typically 8+ years.
At least 5 years of prior management experience is typically required.
Proven leadership experience with a moderate to large scope of responsibility is required.
In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered.
No Required Certification(s)
No Required License(s)

Responsibilities

Establishing and leading Product & Solutions Architecture at Harris Williams.
Translating business needs into clear product roadmaps.
Owning the end-to-end product lifecycle.
Serving as the connective point between business and engineering teams.
Maturing the structure and operating model of the function.
Embedding Generative AI and data capabilities into firm workflows in a deliberate, governed, and scalable way.
Defining the operating model for the Product function, including role structures, team configuration, decision rights, and ways of working.
Establishing the responsibilities, scope, and career framework for product roles, driving consistency across the organization.
Developing a team of product professionals embedded across functional domains, building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Serving as the senior product leader and escalation point for prioritization, scope, and delivery decisions.
Partnering with HR and firm leadership to ensure the function is appropriately resourced as the technology portfolio grows and Generative AI drives new efficiencies.
Leading the development, maintenance, and delivery of product roadmaps across business functions such as CRM, Deal Origination & Execution, Finance, Talent, and Data Management — balancing near-term needs, long-term platform vision, and AI enablement.
Facilitating cross-functional roadmap reviews with senior stakeholders, communicating progress, trade-offs, and upcoming milestones.
Leading resource planning and prioritization across the team, making deliberate allocation decisions when roadmap demands compete.
Defining and tracking success metrics for each functional domain.
Defining and owning the firm’s technology product architecture roadmap, ensuring alignment with business strategy and long-term scalability.
Leading the design of integrated platforms supporting deal origination, execution, client engagement, knowledge management, talent, finance, and business operations.
Evaluating and helping select third-party technology vendors and platforms, including data providers and SaaS solutions.
Leading product direction and solution architecture in support of the firm’s Generative AI strategy, identifying use cases and standards where AI can meaningfully enhance productivity, insight, and deal-team success.
Partnering with deal teams to build and deploy intelligent solutions for capabilities such as document analysis, market research, comparable analysis, and pitch preparation.
Monitoring emerging Generative AI trends and technologies, assessing strategic opportunities and risks.
Serving as a trusted advisor to business teams, translating challenges into actionable technology and AI solutions.
Enabling collaboration across deal teams and firm-wide services.
Communicating complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

Benefits

medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature)
dental and vision options
employee and spouse/child life insurance
short and long-term disability protection
401(k) with PNC match
pension and stock purchase plans
dependent care reimbursement account
back-up child/elder care
adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement
educational assistance, including select programs fully paid
a robust wellness program with financial incentives
maternity and/or parental leave
up to 11 paid holidays each year
9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law
between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level; and years of service.