At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to design and scale AI automations that enhance operations for 2,300+ employees.
- Company: Join M-KOPA, Africa's fastest-growing company, recognised by TIME 100 and the Financial Times.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, professional development, flexible hours, and well-being support.
- Other info: Be part of a mission-driven team in a dynamic, diverse environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial inclusion while working with cutting-edge AI technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience in building automations and leading teams; strong technical background required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We're hiring our first Lead AI Engineer to lead a team that designs, ships, and scales automations and AI agents across M-KOPA. This is a brand-new team within the business – the tech foundation is already proven, and we need someone to lead it, scale it, and define what it becomes.
The Impact
- Your automations and agents will directly improve how 2,300+ employees work across our global operations.
- We have helped over 7 million customers access over $2 billion in credit.
- The tools you build will help that mission scale further and faster.
The Opportunity
- Mission-driven engineering: Every automation you build helps internal teams and customer-facing staff deliver financial inclusion to Africa's Every Day Earners.
- Global recognition: Join a company named by TIME 100 and the Financial Times as Africa's fastest-growing for 4 consecutive years (2022–2025).
- Scale challenges: 2,500+ employees across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, the UK, and Europe – internal teams need intelligent tooling that actually works.
- Environmental impact: We are carbon-negative, having displaced over 2 million tonnes of emissions.
What You'll Do
At M-KOPA, you’ll lead the AI Ops team from day one – owning delivery, growing the function, and proving the value. Your team builds automations and agents for internal use and serves as internal consultants, helping Software Engineering teams integrate AI into customer-facing products.
Your key responsibilities
- Lead two AI Ops Engineers – own their delivery, development, and day-to-day work.
- Prioritise efficiently – manage competing requests from multiple teams by applying a clear prioritisation framework you help develop and improve.
- Build and ship automations and agents that measurably improve how internal teams and customer-facing staff work.
- Keep the AI tooling stack healthy as usage scales across 2,500+ employees.
- Stay current on emerging AI tools and technologies – know what’s hype and what’s actually useful.
- Help refine AI training for the wider organisation, including Software Engineering teams.
Technical Environment
- AI & Agentic Frameworks: Claude, Claude Code, Anthropic tooling, LangChain, MCP, Google ADK (or similar agentic tooling).
- Automation & Prototyping: Scripting, workflow tools, AI-assisted development, rapid prototyping (Vercel/Railway).
- Enterprise Tooling: Identity automation (Entra), internal platforms, Notion, HiBob integrations.
- Existing Foundation: Twelve months of Claude, Notion, HiBob, and Entra automations already running in production.
Our Approach
- Build, don't just advise – this is a hands-on team that ships working automations and agents.
- Prove the value, then expand – start with two engineers, demonstrate impact, grow from there.
- Product-focused mindset – treat internal teams as customers and build tooling that works.
- Cut through the hype – evaluate emerging AI tools on practical value, not marketing buzz.
What You Need
We’re looking for someone with a strong technical background and product-focused mindset. You won’t be building models – we have Data Science teams for that. You’ll be building agents, shipping automations, and leading a team that makes M-KOPA’s internal operations smarter and faster.
Required Experience
- Hands-on experience building automations – scripting, workflow tools, or AI-assisted development.
- Hands-on experience building agents using agentic frameworks – LangChain, MCP, Google ADK or similar.
- Background in enterprise tooling – rapid prototyping tools (Vercel/Railway), identity automation (Entra), or internal platforms.
- People leadership experience – you’ve led or mentored engineers and can own a team’s delivery and development.
Location & Benefits
- Fully remote role within UTC –1 to UTC +3 time zones.
- Work with diverse teams across UK, Europe, and Africa.
- Professional development programmes and coaching partnerships.
- Family-friendly policies and flexible working arrangements.
- Well-being support and career growth opportunities.
Equal Opportunity Statement
M-KOPA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained staff. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. M-KOPA explicitly prohibits the use of forced or child labour and respects the rights of its employees to agree to terms and conditions of employment voluntarily. M-KOPA does not collect or charge any money as a pre‑employment or post‑employment requirement. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; M-KOPA may close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is selected.
Head of AI Ops & Automation for Financial Inclusion in Manchester employer: M Kopa
M-KOPA is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead a pioneering AI Ops team that directly impacts financial inclusion for millions across Africa. With a commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a diverse, mission-driven culture, employees are empowered to innovate and grow within a globally recognised company that prioritises both environmental sustainability and employee well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of AI Ops & Automation for Financial Inclusion in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those at M-KOPA. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies of your past projects related to AI and automation. When you get the chance to chat with the team, let them see what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your vision! Think about how you would lead the AI Ops team and what strategies you'd implement. M-KOPA is looking for someone who can not only build but also inspire and grow a team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the M-KOPA mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of AI Ops & Automation for Financial Inclusion in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI and Automation:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI and automation shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission of financial inclusion and how you can contribute to making a real impact.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experiences that match the job description. We’re looking for specific skills in building automations and leading teams, so don’t hold back on showcasing those!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what you’ve achieved in previous roles. Remember, we want to understand your impact quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at M Kopa
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the AI and automation tools mentioned in the job description, like Claude, LangChain, and Google ADK. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects and how they can be applied to improve operations at M-KOPA.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed or mentored engineers before. Highlight your approach to prioritising tasks and how you’ve helped teams deliver impactful results.
✨Demonstrate a Product-Focused Mindset
Think about how you can treat internal teams as customers. Prepare to discuss how you would gather feedback and iterate on the tools you build to ensure they meet the needs of the users effectively.
✨Stay Current with AI Trends
Be prepared to talk about emerging AI tools and technologies. Show that you can differentiate between what's genuinely useful and what's just hype. This will demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and innovation in the field.
