Operations Lead (AI Lab) in London

Operations Lead (AI Lab) in London

London Full-Time 70200 - 85800 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Smart Bricks

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and improve the operating system for a leading AI company in real estate.
  • Company: Join Smart Bricks, a pioneering AI firm backed by top investors like Andreessen Horowitz.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity package, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Work directly with the Founder and leadership team to drive global growth.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of AI in real estate while working with industry leaders.
  • Qualifications: 7-12 years in Strategy & Operations, with experience in fast-scaling startups preferred.

The predicted salary is between 70200 - 85800 £ per year.

Build the Operating System Behind the World's Leading Applied AI Company for Real Estate.

About Smart Bricks

Smart Bricks is building the future of AI for real estate. Every year, trillions of dollars are invested across residential, commercial and alternative real estate using fragmented systems, disconnected data and manual workflows. We're building an AI-native platform that helps investors, developers, lenders, governments and Fortune 500 companies source opportunities, underwrite investments, perform due diligence and manage portfolios using AI. Alongside our software platform, we're building an Applied AI Lab that works directly with some of the world's largest real estate organisations to redesign complex workflows using AI.

Why this role?

This isn't a traditional operations role. You won't manage internal admin or maintain existing processes. You'll design how the company operates. As our customer base grows, from global investors and developers to governments and enterprise organisations, the quality of our execution becomes a competitive advantage. Your job is to keep Smart Bricks moving at the speed of a startup while delivering with the rigour the world's largest real estate organisations expect.

What you'll own:

  • The company operating system: Design and continuously improve how Smart Bricks operates, creating clarity without creating bureaucracy.
  • Applied AI operations: Own the operational engine behind the Applied AI Lab, so every deployment becomes easier, faster and more repeatable than the last.
  • Strategic initiatives: Lead the projects that don't belong to any single department, moving wherever the highest-leverage problem is.
  • Internal infrastructure: Partner with every leadership function to build scalable systems across finance, recruiting, legal, people operations, procurement, vendor management, knowledge management and internal AI tooling.
  • A high-performance organisation: Work directly with the Founder and leadership team to improve how the company executes across leadership planning, hiring, goal setting, performance reviews, cross-functional communication and organisational design.

What Success Looks Like:

Within your first 12 months you'll have:

  • Built the operating framework behind the Applied AI Lab.
  • Established a company operating cadence that can support global growth.
  • Reduced operational bottlenecks across every department.
  • Supported multiple enterprise AI deployments end to end.
  • Stood up company-wide planning and reporting.
  • Freed the leadership team to spend significantly more time on strategic work.

Who we're looking for:

We're looking for builders who create structure where none exists. Specifically, you'll likely have:

  • 7 to 12 years across Strategy & Operations, Founder's Office, Chief of Staff, General Management or high-growth technology companies.
  • Built operational systems inside a fast-scaling startup or scaleup through a period of rapid growth.
  • Led cross-functional strategic initiatives and worked directly with founders or executive teams.
  • Run planning cycles, OKRs and business reviews, and built scalable operational processes from first principles.
  • Strong commercial and analytical judgement: comfortable with budgets, capacity models and data-led decisions.
  • Recruited exceptional talent and improved execution across multiple functions.
  • A degree from a strong institution, ideally with a track record of top academic and professional performance.
  • Experience in enterprise software or AI is highly desirable, and experience working with enterprise customers is a significant advantage.

Compensation & Benefits:

We believe exceptional people should share in the value they create. You'll receive a highly competitive salary and a meaningful equity package, private healthcare, flexible working, an annual learning and conference budget, access to the latest AI models and developer tooling.

How We Work:

We hold ourselves to exceptionally high standards. We think like owners, solve problems proactively, move quickly without compromising quality, care deeply about execution, build systems that scale, communicate clearly and stay relentlessly curious.

Why Join:

We move insanely fast, with real rigour and standards, to build the company that redefines how AI works for real assets. If you're the type to get out of bed to build organisations that execute exceptionally well, Smart Bricks is the place for you.

Operations Lead (AI Lab) in London employer: Smart Bricks

As a Product Lead for AI Products, you will join a forward-thinking team in London, where innovation meets real estate. Our company fosters a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and creativity, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development. With a focus on cutting-edge technology and a commitment to employee well-being, we provide a unique environment that empowers you to make a meaningful impact in the AI landscape.

Smart Bricks

Contact Details:

Smart Bricks Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Operations Lead (AI Lab) 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 Operations Lead (AI Lab) at Smart Bricks!

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 Smart Bricks or be willing to refer you for that Operations Lead (AI Lab) 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 Smart Bricks who’s on the lookout for their next Operations Lead (AI Lab) 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 Operations Lead (AI Lab) role at Smart Bricks!

We think you need these skills to ace Operations Lead (AI Lab) in London

Operational System Design
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Project Management
Strategic Initiative Leadership
Data Analysis
Capacity Planning
Customer Success Operations

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 Smart Bricks. 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 Smart Bricks

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 Smart Bricks. 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!