Head of Automation

Position Overview

As the Head of Automation, you will lead the development, implementation, and ongoing optimisation of automated processes across the organisation. Reporting to the senior leadership team ( Managing Director), you will ensure that technology-based solutions align seamlessly with business objectives, reduce operational friction, and support the company's overall goals. This role requires a balance of technical expertise, visionary leadership, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategy & Roadmap

• Develop the Automation Vision: Establish a clear roadmap for leveraging automation and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery.
• Align With Business Goals: Work closely with senior leaders to ensure automation initiatives support the broader company strategy (including Lean Management principles).

1. Project Leadership & Execution

• Identify & Prioritise Projects: Collaborate with department heads to pinpoint areas with the highest ROI for automation-such as repetitive manual tasks, data entry, or customer service workflows.
• Manage Project Lifecycle: Oversee the full project lifecycle, from scoping and design to development, testing, deployment, and post-implementation review.
• Vendor & Tool Selection: Evaluate and select the most suitable automation tools (low-code/no-code solutions, AI-based systems, etc.) to meet organisational needs.

1. Team Management & Collaboration

• Lead the Automation Team: Provide direction, mentoring, and professional development for automation engineers, analysts, and any external contractors or service providers.
• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Collaborate with other departments (Operations, Sales, Finance, etc.) to ensure seamless integration of automated solutions into existing workflows.

1. Process Optimisation & Continuous Improvement

• Champion Lean Management: Drive a continuous improvement culture by regularly reviewing and optimising processes, ensuring minimal waste and maximum efficiency.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Track and measure the performance of automated processes, making data-driven improvements and ensuring ROI on automation initiatives.

1. Risk & Compliance

• Ensure Security & Compliance: Work with IT and compliance teams to ensure automated solutions meet data security and regulatory standards.
• Mitigate Operational Risks: Identify potential risks tied to automation (e.g., system downtime, process errors) and develop robust contingency plans.

1. Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Regular Communication: Provide clear, concise updates to senior leadership on project status, KPI performance, and upcoming initiatives.
• Training & Change Management: Partner with the People/HR team and department managers to ensure employees are properly trained on new systems and processes, and to foster acceptance of automation-driven changes.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education & Experience
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (Master's degree or MBA is a plus).
• 5+ years of experience leading automation initiatives or digital transformation projects, preferably at a growing or medium-sised organisation.
• Technical Expertise
• Proven track record in designing and implementing automation solutions (e.g., robotic process automation, workflow management, machine learning, AI-based tools).
• Use of Zapier, HubSpot and other low code platforms.
• Familiar with developing bespoke platforms that evolve from initial use of systems developed in low/no code environments.
• Familiarity with Lean Management, continuous improvement methodologies, and process mapping.
• Leadership & Communication
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, mentor, and build highly effective teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills-capable of translating technical insights into actionable business outcomes.
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking
• Ability to align automation roadmaps with high-level business goals and identify areas for significant cost/time savings.
• Comfort with data analysis, metrics tracking, and ROI measurement.
• Problem-Solving
• Aptitude for diagnosing complex process and system issues, then designing creative, robust solutions.
• Resilient and resourceful under pressure, with a commitment to continuous learning and innovation.
• Key Areas of Success
• Plan the development of our bespoke solutions, e-portfolio systems, course management systems and others.
• Spearheading the development of sub-brands.
• Development of learning and development solutions for internal and external stakeholders. (As well as the ability to deliver training sessions confidently.)

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary & Bonus: Aligned with experience, plus potential performance-based incentives tied to successful automation initiatives.
• Career Growth: Opportunity to shape the digital transformation journey of a fast-growing organisation aiming for a major milestone.
• Innovative Culture: A workplace that embraces creative thinking, Lean principles, and continuous improvement.
• Impact & Autonomy: High level of influence on the company's future state, driving technology adoption and process excellence.