At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and shape an enterprise AI automation capability from scratch.
- Company: Established international business on an exciting AI journey.
- Benefits: Competitive senior leadership package with salary, bonus, and benefits.
- Other info: Hybrid working in London with significant executive visibility and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Lead impactful AI initiatives and influence the future of AI across the organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in AI, Automation, or Transformation leadership with strong commercial judgement.
The predicted salary is between 121500 - 148500 £ per year.
Working as the VP / Director of AI Automation, your job will be to build and shape an enterprise AI automation capability from the ground up. This isn't a role where you'll inherit a mature AI function, established roadmap and existing playbook. You'll help create them.
Working closely with executive leadership, you will identify where AI and automation can create the greatest commercial impact across the business and build a 12–24 month roadmap covering efficiency, revenue opportunities, workflow automation and wider AI adoption. You'll lead and develop a specialist team of AI Solution Engineers, while working directly with senior stakeholders across the organisation to identify, prioritise and deliver AI opportunities.
A major part of your job will be deciding what should be built, what should be bought and what shouldn't be done at all. You'll establish the frameworks used to prioritise AI initiatives based on commercial value, complexity, feasibility and risk. You'll also take ownership of AI governance. Working alongside Compliance, Legal, Risk and Technology, you'll help establish the guardrails that allow the organisation to move quickly with AI while maintaining appropriate control around data, models and production AI agents.
Most importantly, this isn't an AI innovation lab. Your success will be measured by whether the solutions your team creates are actually adopted and generate measurable business value. You'll work closely with business teams to embed AI into real workflows and, over time, help those teams develop more of their own AI capability within the frameworks you've established.
About you
You will be an experienced AI, Automation or Transformation leader who combines strong commercial judgement with genuine technical credibility. You may currently be a Head of AI, Director of AI, AI Transformation Director, Head of Intelligent Automation, VP of AI or come from a senior AI-focused consulting or business transformation background. You don't need to be a traditional software engineering leader or machine-learning researcher. You do need to understand modern Generative AI deeply enough to lead people building with it.
You'll have practical experience with areas such as LLMs, prompt engineering, AI agents and AI-driven workflow automation, and you'll be comfortable getting into the detail with technical specialists when required. You should have experience taking AI or automation initiatives beyond PowerPoint and into production. You'll understand how to identify a business problem, build the commercial case, prioritise it, deliver the solution and drive adoption afterwards. Experience operating in a regulated environment is highly desirable. You should be comfortable working with Compliance, Legal and Risk and understand the importance of governance, data privacy, auditability and appropriate controls around enterprise AI.
You'll also be a strong people leader who is comfortable building teams and creating structure in an environment where not everything has already been defined.
About the company
This is an established international business going through an important stage in its AI journey. There is already significant enthusiasm for AI across the organisation and multiple areas of the business are looking at how automation and Generative AI can improve the way they operate. The next stage is about bringing greater structure to that activity: identifying the highest-value opportunities, establishing appropriate governance and building a central capability capable of delivering AI automation at scale. This role will have significant executive visibility and the opportunity to influence how AI is used across the organisation for years to come.
Location
London – hybrid working. The role will involve working with colleagues and technical teams internationally.
The process
Initial conversation with me. Followed by interviews with senior technology/business leadership and members of the executive team. Full details of the interview process will be discussed during our initial conversation.
The Money
Competitive senior leadership package. Full salary, bonus and benefits details will be discussed during our initial conversation.
VP / Director of AI Automation – London employer: Initi8 Recruitment
As a Principal Android Engineer at this innovative start-up in London, you'll be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and collaboration. The company fosters a culture of growth, offering ample opportunities for professional development while working on cutting-edge mobile products. With a focus on international expansion, you'll have the chance to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment that encourages ownership and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP / Director of AI Automation – London
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like Initi8 Recruitment!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the VP / Director of AI Automation – London position at Initi8 Recruitment, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when Initi8 Recruitment is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted VP / Director of AI Automation – London role at Initi8 Recruitment!
We think you need these skills to ace VP / Director of AI Automation – London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to Initi8 Recruitment and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Initi8 Recruitment
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to Initi8 Recruitment.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at Initi8 Recruitment, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
