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?