At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Cognitive Automation Factory, driving AI and automation initiatives for business impact.
- Company: Join a leading airline group with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy health insurance, pension, performance bonuses, and a supportive work/life balance.
- Other info: Work in a multicultural environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a fast-paced, dynamic industry while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in tech delivery, with strong leadership and automation expertise.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are part of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world’s leading airline groups and owner of some of the biggest brands in the sky. IAG Transform provides creative and innovative solutions to drive sustainable transformation by delivering procurement and airline services, as well as group-wide systems across IAG. Each operating company benefits from the Transform centralised model, driving efficiencies, automation, and economies of scale.
Purpose of the role
The Cognitive Automation Factory Ecosystem and Operations Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for the end-to-end operational performance, ecosystem management, and strategic evolution of the Group’s Cognitive Automation Factory. This role is effectively the operational backbone and successor-level counterpart to the Head of Cognitive Automation. It ensures that the CAF operates as a high-performance, multi-technology, multi-partner industrial engine capable of delivering 8-figure business benefits through applied AI and automation.
The successful candidate will combine deep automation expertise, enterprise-grade delivery leadership, and strong commercial acumen to:
- Lead large, blended teams (internal and external)
- Engage senior stakeholders across operating companies
- Manage strategic technology and delivery partners
- Own operational governance, standards, and performance metrics
- Drive sustainable, measurable EBIT impact
Your responsibilities
- Factory Leadership & Operational Excellence
- Lead the operational performance of the Cognitive Automation Factory across the Group.
- Industrialise AI and automation delivery through standardised engineering practices, governance, quality controls and reusable frameworks.
- Ensure predictable, high-quality delivery across multiple concurrent programmes and products.
- Own delivery economics, capacity planning, utilisation, and multi-shore optimisation.
- Business Value & Benefits Realisation
- Ensure all AI and automation initiatives are anchored in measurable business value.
- Track and govern realised vs. forecast benefits (cost-out, productivity, error reduction, revenue enablement).
- Act as a senior escalation point for underperforming initiatives.
- Partner with Finance and OpCo stakeholders to validate tangible benefits delivered.
- Ecosystem & Partner Management
- Lead and optimise a blended ecosystem of strategic partners and internal engineering squads.
- Manage commercial performance, contractual KPIs, and delivery standards.
- Ensure knowledge transfer and capability uplift within the internal team.
- Maintain a competitive, scalable, and innovation-led partner model.
- Technology & Architecture Governance
- Provide senior oversight across the automation and AI technology stack, including:
- RPA platforms (e.g., UiPath, Power Automate)
- AWS-based cloud-native architectures
- Agentic AI frameworks (Agent Core, LangChain, LangGraph)
- Large Language Models (multi-model strategy)
- Orchestration frameworks and event-driven architectures
- Document AI and extraction (e.g., Berdock)
- EVAL frameworks and LLM evaluation methodologies
- Observability, monitoring and guardrails for AI agents
- Ensure scalable, secure, compliant and production-grade solutions.
- Champion best practices in AI governance, risk management, and model lifecycle management.
- Senior Stakeholder Engagement
- Engage senior leaders across operating companies at Director and C-level.
- Translate AI and automation capabilities into business language.
- Influence prioritisation decisions and roadmap alignment across the Group.
- Represent the CAF in senior governance forums.
- Talent & Capability Development
- Build and mentor high-performing automation and AI delivery leaders.
- Establish clear career paths and succession planning within the CAF.
- Foster a culture of engineering excellence, accountability, and measurable impact.
- Drive continuous capability uplift across RPA, AI, and agentic systems.
Your skills, experience and qualifications
Essential Experience
- 12+ years’ experience in enterprise technology delivery, with at least 7+ years leading large-scale automation or AI programmes.
- Proven track record of delivering significant, tangible business benefits through applied AI and automation.
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams combining internal staff and strategic delivery partners.
- Experience operating at senior stakeholder level (Director/C-level engagement).
- Strong commercial acumen, including budget ownership and benefits tracking.
Technical Depth (Non-Hands-On but Credible)
The candidate must have sufficient depth to challenge architects and engineers credibly, even if not coding daily. Demonstrated expertise in:
- RPA platforms such as UiPath and Power Automate
- Cloud-native architectures (preferably AWS)
- Agentic AI frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph, agent orchestration)
- Multi-LLM strategies and model selection
- EVAL frameworks for LLM/agent performance
- Observability, logging, guardrails and governance for AI agents
- Workflow orchestration and integration patterns
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance considerations for AI systems
Desirable
- Experience within aviation, transportation, logistics, or other complex operational industries.
- Experience scaling an AI or automation factory model.
- Exposure to regulated environments.
- Knowledge of EU AI Act and enterprise AI governance frameworks.
Personal Attributes
- Strategic thinker with strong operational discipline.
- Calm under pressure in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Commercially sharp, data-driven, and outcome-oriented.
- High credibility with both engineers and executives.
- Not dazzled by hype. Focused on value.
What we offer
The chance to enjoy a challenging career in an exciting, fast-moving environment in a dynamic industry. The opportunity to work in a multi-cultural environment with great offices in many locations. We support our people in maintaining work/life balance, as well as providing the many benefits one would expect from a global organisation, including health insurance, pension and performance bonuses. We are an equal opportunities employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
CAF Ecosystem and Operations Manager in London employer: IAG Transform UK
IAG Transform UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where your expertise in enterprise architecture will be valued and nurtured. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer numerous opportunities for professional development and career advancement, all while working in a dynamic environment that aligns with our Group's strategic vision. Join us in a location that not only supports your career aspirations but also promotes a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CAF Ecosystem and Operations Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like CAF Ecosystem and Operations Manager at IAG Transform UK!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like IAG Transform UK or be willing to refer you for that CAF Ecosystem and Operations Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from IAG Transform UK who’s on the lookout for their next CAF Ecosystem and Operations Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time CAF Ecosystem and Operations Manager role at IAG Transform UK!
We think you need these skills to ace CAF Ecosystem and Operations Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at IAG Transform UK. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at IAG Transform UK
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at IAG Transform UK. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
