Head of AI and Automation

Description:

Head of AI and Automation

Division: Enterprise

Location: Cape Town / Hybrid (SA-based)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Type: Full-time

The Head of AI and Automation will lead the strategic visioning, development, and implementation of enterprise-grade AI-powered solutions and automation capabilities across the Enterprise Division. This role is key to unlocking efficiency, driving data-informed decision-making, and enhancing both customer and employee experience.

This role will also oversee the Sales Operations, Tech Operations, FinOps, and Customer Operations teams. The Head of AI and Automation will play a key role in shaping and optimizing these teams to better serve both internal and external clients. By embedding intelligent automation and AI-driven insights into operational workflows, this role ensures seamless, data-led execution across the Enterprise Division.

As the leader of a growing AI and Automation team, you will build and scale intelligent systems that redefine how we deliver value to our clients, optimise internal operations, and future-proof our business. You’ll work closely with Engineering, Product, Data, and Business Unit Leaders to embed scalable AI and automation solutions across the organization.

AI and Automation Strategy (70%)

- Define and drive the AI and Automation strategy for the Enterprise Division aligned to business objectives.

- Identify high-impact opportunities for AI/ML, RPA, NLP, and intelligent automation across internal processes and customer-facing platforms.

- Design and oversee the implementation of intelligent systems that improve efficiency, reduce cost, and enhance experience.

- Build frameworks and pipelines to deploy and scale machine learning models into production environments.

- Champion a culture of responsible and ethical AI use, ensuring data governance and compliance are upheld.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to embed AI/automation in product and service design.

- Stay abreast of emerging technologies (e.g., LLMs, computer vision, deep learning) and assess applicability to business needs.

Team Leadership and Capability Building (20%)

- Build and manage a multidisciplinary team

- Foster a culture of experimentation, agility, and innovation.

- Coach and mentor team members and identify opportunities for skills development and professional growth.

- Drive delivery excellence by implementing agile ways of working, managing project scope, timelines, and impact.

Stakeholder Engagement & Change Enablement (10%)

- Act as the strategic bridge between technical and non-technical teams, translating complex AI concepts into business value.

- Support change management initiatives by enabling adoption of AI and automation tools across the business.

- Build strong partnerships with external vendors, research institutions, and tech partners to stay ahead of the curve.

Minimum Requirements:

- 8+ years of experience in AI, Machine Learning, or Automation, with at least 3+ years in a leadership role.

- Proven track record of delivering enterprise-level AI/automation initiatives that drive measurable business value.

- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and familiarity with frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or HuggingFace.

- Hands-on experience deploying ML models, NLP solutions, RPA bots, or integrating AI APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Azure AI, AWS ML).

- Solid understanding of data engineering pipelines and MLOps best practices.

- Strong commercial acumen and ability to communicate complex ideas to senior stakeholders.

Preferred:

- Experience within financial services, technology, or large-scale enterprise environments.

- Familiarity with tools like Power Automate, UiPath, DataRobot, or Azure AI.

- Understanding of AI ethics, responsible AI practices, and data privacy regulations (e.g., POPIA, GDPR).

- Number and scale of AI/automation projects implemented

- Business impact (e.g., cost savings, time efficiency, CX uplift)

- AI/automation adoption rates across business units

- Model performance, uptime, and ongoing optimization

- Team satisfaction, growth, and retention

- Competitive market salary and performance-based bonus

- Flexible hybrid working model

- 21 days Annual leave

- Inclusive culture that values curiosity, experimentation, and growth

The Enterprise Division is undergoing a bold transformation, and AI is at the heart of our future strategy. This is a rare opportunity to shape and build a next-gen AI and automation capability from the ground up — with a mandate to experiment, disrupt, and lead. If you're ready to leave legacy thinking behind and drive real-world impact through innovation, we want to meet you.