Head of Programs and Product Operations

About AI71:

AI71 is an industry leader in artificial intelligence, delivering innovative solutions that empower developers, businesses and governments to solve complex challenges. AI71 builds secure, enterprise-ready applications powered by cutting-edge technology-tailored for knowledge workers and sector-specific needs. AI71 bridges the gap between advanced AI and real-world impact. Guided by a strong commitment to research and responsibility, we create transformative solutions that drive progress and empower communities.

The Role:

The Head of Business Operations is the operating backbone of the Applied AI function.

Reporting directly to the Chief Applied AI Officer, you are responsible for translating strategy into execution, ensuring priorities are clear, progress is measurable, and critical initiatives are delivered. You drive the operating rhythm of the business, establish performance management mechanisms, and lead high-impact cross-functional initiatives that accelerate growth and execution.

This role combines strategic thinking with operational rigor. You will partner closely with leaders across Product, Commercial, Customer Success, Partnerships, and Corporate Functions to ensure the organisation remains aligned on its priorities and delivers against its commitments.

You will serve as a trusted advisor and execution partner to the Chief Applied AI Officer, taking ownership of complex, ambiguous problems, driving them to resolution, and ensuring leadership attention remains focused on the highest-value opportunities and risks.

What You'll Do:

Business Performance & Operating Excellence

• Design and manage the operating system of the Applied AI function, including KPIs, OKRs, business reviews, executive reporting, and decision tracking.
• Establish clear performance management mechanisms that provide visibility into progress, risks, dependencies, and outcomes across teams.
• Drive accountability across the organisation, ensuring commitments are delivered and risks are escalated early with clear mitigation plans.
• Manage the operating rhythm of the Applied AI function, including priority setting, follow-through, decision tracking, and executive readiness.
• Lead the preparation of board, investor, partner, and leadership materials, ensuring stakeholders have accurate and actionable insights.
• Build scalable operating processes that improve organisational effectiveness as the business grows.

Strategic Initiatives & Special Projects

• Lead high-priority, cross-functional initiatives from problem definition through execution and delivery.
• Own initiatives that span multiple functions and do not naturally sit within a single team, ensuring alignment, momentum, and successful outcomes.
• Drive strategic projects on behalf of the Chief Applied AI Officer, including market expansion, strategic partnerships, venture incubation, corporate development, and selected M&A activities.
• Conduct strategic analysis, develop recommendations, and coordinate execution against critical business priorities.
• Translate direction into action, close the loop without being asked twice, and keep critical initiatives moving despite competing demands and shifting priorities.

Commercial Strategy & Growth

• Partner with Commercial leadership to shape go-to-market strategies, commercial models, pricing approaches, and growth initiatives across products and segments.
• Drive cross-functional alignment between Product, Commercial, Partnerships, and Customer Success to accelerate revenue growth and customer outcomes.
• Help structure and advance strategic partnerships, maintaining momentum and executive engagement throughout the relationship lifecycle.
• Bring a strong commercial lens to operational decisions, ensuring resources and priorities remain aligned to business impact.
• Support the development and tracking of commercial performance metrics, forecasts, and growth plans.

Qualifications & Experience

• Approximately 15 years of professional experience, with a track record of delivering complex, cross-functional outcomes in demanding environments.
• Background in top-tier management consulting (MBB or equivalent), ideally earlier in your career, combined with subsequent operating experience in a high-growth business.
• Operating experience within a technology, AI, SaaS, or similarly fast-scaling environment is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated commercial acumen, including exposure to go-to-market strategy, pricing, partnerships, business development, or revenue growth initiatives.
• Strong experience establishing operating cadences, performance management frameworks, and executive-level reporting mechanisms.
• Genuine AI fluency. You understand how AI is changing the way organisations operate and use AI tools extensively to enhance your own effectiveness, decision-making, and output.
• Experience working with senior executives, boards, government stakeholders, sovereign institutions, or equivalent leadership environments is highly desirable.
• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree is an advantage.

What You'll Bring:

• Street smart and politically astute. You read situations, stakeholders, and organisational dynamics quickly and act accordingly.
• Highly adaptable. You move seamlessly between strategy, execution, analysis, and problem-solving.
• High judgment, high discretion, low ego. You handle sensitive matters with maturity and measure success through outcomes rather than visibility.
• Strong bias for action. You create momentum, remove obstacles, and consistently deliver results.
• A force multiplier by instinct. Your first response to a challenge is to improve the process, automate the workflow, or leverage AI before adding complexity or headcount.
• Structured thinker with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Outstanding communicator, both written and verbal, capable of engaging credibly with executives, partners, customers, and technical teams.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and creating clarity where none exists.

Why AI71:

• Mission-Driven Work: Work on cutting-edge AI applications with a talented and passionate team, solving real-world challenges in critical sectors.
• Unparalleled Opportunity: This is a chance to innovate and solve real-world challenges using AI at a company with unique access to world-leading models and resources.
• Career Growth: We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and significant career growth opportunities as a foundational member of the team.
• World-Class Environment: Enjoy a flexible working environment and the latest tools & technologies needed to do your best work.