Head of AI, Automation & Analytics

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Australia.

📋 Description

• Establish A3's charter, operational framework, and a rolling six-month strategic plan.

• Outline quarterly OKRs and communicate progress to both the Steering Committee and Executive Committee.

• Determine which processes are suitable for automation and identify the AI capabilities to be developed.

• Oversee the roadmap for ug-buddy, UpGuard's internal AI co-worker.

• Lead, mentor, and manage the performance of the A3 team; design roles and recruit new team members.

• Manage delivery processes including bi-weekly sprints, prioritization, and capacity planning.

• Define the technical direction and architecture for AI agents, RAG, MCP integrations, and workflow automation.

• Assess the production readiness of systems developed on Google Cloud services and n8n.

• Implement cross-functional automations such as employee offboarding across identity, collaboration, and HR systems.

• Establish standards for production automation, conduct platform audits, and drive necessary remediation efforts.

• Collaborate with Cloud Platform Engineering and Security on hosting, access control, and incident response strategies.

• Conduct AI risk assessments for vendor procurement processes.

• Manage A3 tools and vendor partnerships.

• Serve as the primary contact for AI, automation, and analytics inquiries.

• Collaborate with department leaders to map processes and identify what A3 will create or facilitate.

• Foster company-wide awareness through documentation, communication, and training initiatives.

• Work closely with executives, department heads, engineering, IT, security, analytics teams, and external vendors.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree in software engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, or a related field.

• Several years of experience in cloud infrastructure, security, and automation engineering, including production systems on Google Cloud.

• Proficient understanding of large language models, AI agents, RAG, and the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform), containers, Kubernetes, and Identity and Access Management.

• Proven experience in leading and developing a technical team, establishing strategy and OKRs, and reporting to executives.

• Capability to manage multiple workstreams and stakeholder groups concurrently, keeping all parties informed and resolving obstacles.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate technical decisions, risks, and trade-offs to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Comfortable with UpGuard's principle of 'radical candour.'

• Relevant cloud, security, or AI certifications are advantageous, particularly from Google Cloud.

• Experience with enterprise teams, especially in relation to internal customers, is a plus.

• Background in security operations or compliance, such as SOC 2, applied to AI and automation governance.

• Must complete a national police history check and reference checks prior to employment.

• Must possess unrestricted Australian work rights or an Australian visa/work authorization, as specified in the application form.

🏝️ Benefits

• Monthly Lifestyle subsidy for financial, physical, and mental well-being.

• WFH setup allowance.

• $1500 USD annual Learning & Development allowance.

• Annual leave/PTO plus an additional two UpGuardian leave days.

• 18 weeks of paid Parental Leave.

• Personal Leave Allowance, including sick and carer’s leave.

• Fully remote working environment without mandatory office attendance.

• Provision of top-spec laptops.

• Paid subscriptions for generative AI tools.