Director of AI Labs

DESCRIPTION:

Valsoft is looking for a Head of AI Labs (Director of AI Innovation) to join our team remotely in Europe with a preference for candidates based in Ireland.

ABOUT VALSOFT CORP.:

Established in Canada in 2015, Valsoft has grown to a global portfolio of 118+ companies, acquiring and developing vertical market software companies, enabling each business to deliver the best mission-critical solutions for customers in their respective industries. A key tenet of Valsoft’s philosophy is to invest in well-established businesses and foster an entrepreneurial environment that molds companies into leaders in their respective industries. Valsoft looks to buy, hold and create value through long-term partnerships with existing management.  

INVESTMENT APPROACH:

Unlike private equity and venture capital firms, we are Entrepreneurs who Buy, Enhance and Grow Software Businesses. That’s right; we don’t sell businesses. We form a strategic alliance with existing management teams. We recognize the dedication and perseverance required to create a firm and place a premium on customers’ and workers’ well-being over short-term goals.   

CULTURE:

Valsoft is more than just a place to work; we’re a team. We mean it when we say people are our greatest assets, so investing in them is our number one priority. We create an environment where our employees feel first-day-on-the-job excitement, day after day, creating a culture of high performers and collaboration. We celebrate our milestones, and we’re proud of them. We Dream Big, Stay Humble and Stay Hungry.  

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Head of AI Labs to lead a new AI Innovation function supporting our portfolio of 10+ medium-sized software companies. This is a senior, tech-oriented leadership role focused on launching transformative AI initiatives from modernizing existing software with AI enhancements, to building new AI-driven modules and products. You will establish and lead a centralized AI Lab, structured as cross-functional pods, to serve as the innovation engine across our portfolio. This role is a bridge between strategy and execution, ideal for a hands-on leader with deep AI expertise and strong product instincts who thrives in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish and lead a world-class AI innovation lab with structured pods of product and engineering talent
• Define and execute a portfolio-wide AI strategy in collaboration with company CEOs and product leaders
• Oversee the entire lifecycle of AI projects from ideation to MVP, product launch, and commercialization
•  Hire, manage, and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team (PMs, engineers, data scientists)
• Guide AI integration into existing products and the creation of new AI-powered offerings
• Ensure alignment with product roadmaps and foster cross-company collaboration
• Work with executive leadership on AI investment priorities and communicate impact in business terms
• Support go-to-market efforts for AI-driven products, including pricing and monetization strategy
• Stay at the forefront of emerging AI/ML technologies, tools, and frameworks
• Define best practices in AI ethics, scalability, and development standards
• Serve as an AI thought leader internally and externally

REQUIRED/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7+ years in technology/product leadership, with experience leading high-performing teams in AI/ML or R&D
• Deep understanding of AI/ML technologies (NLP, LLMs, computer vision, recommender systems)
• Strong business and product sense, ideally with SaaS or enterprise software experience
• Proven success in innovation-driven or entrepreneurial environments (startups, new product launches)
• Strategic thinker with the ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize impact
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

ADDITIONAL or PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Hands-on AI/ML development experience
• Experience working across multiple business lines or a portfolio environment
• Up-to-date on cutting-edge AI frameworks and agile innovation practices
• Demonstrated ability to drive change and influence senior leadership
• Background in pricing, monetization, and go-to-market strategy for AI solutions

EMPLOYEE PERKS:

• Work from anywhere in Europe with flexible hours to support work-life balance
• Executive compensation package with performance incentives
• Opportunity to lead transformative AI projects across a global software portfolio
• Collaborative, fast-paced, and innovation-driven culture
• Private Medical Cover

Ready to join a collaborative and innovative team where you can make an immediate impact?