AI & Automation Products & Solutions Lead

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Role Purpose/Business Unit:

The AI & Automation Products & Solutions Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for driving AI-led growth, innovation, and commercial success across the organization. This role owns the end-to-end AI & Automation product portfolio, shaping and executing strategy to deliver revenue and profitability in line with the company’s overall business objectives. As a champion of AI-driven transformation, the role leads the development and commercialization of cutting-edge AI solutions—spanning Generative AI, Machine Learning (ML), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and Conversational AI—that empower enterprise customers to achieve operational excellence and digital transformation. The AI & Automation Lead collaborates closely with cross-functional teams and business units to identify high-impact opportunities, ensures successful go-to-market execution, and establishes the organization as a market leader in AI and intelligent automation.

Your responsibilities will include:

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy & Vision: Develop and continuously refine the AI & Intelligent Automation strategy in alignment with broader business goals. Leverage a deep understanding of market trends, emerging technologies, and enterprise customer needs to guide strategic priorities and maintain competitive advantage. Stay at the forefront of AI innovation—keeping abreast of Generative AI, LLMs, and industry developments (including AI ethics and regulatory guidelines)—to identify opportunities for new solutions and market differentiation.

• Product & Portfolio Leadership: Own and evolve the AI & automation product portfolio, ensuring a robust pipeline of innovative solutions that meet current and future customer needs. Define a multi-year product roadmap that integrates emerging capabilities (e.g., advanced ML models, RPA, Agentic AI) and drives continuous product innovation and quality. Oversee the design, development, and deployment of AI solutions from concept to scaled implementation — prioritizing initiatives by business impact, managing proof-of-concepts and pilot programs, and ensuring each solution delivers measurable ROI. Lead cross-functional teams and partner resources to launch and manage new AI products and enhancements, continuously improving product performance, customer adoption, and satisfaction.

• Commercialization & Growth: Drive revenue growth and P&L performance for the AI & Automation portfolio. Develop annual business plans and sales strategies in partnership with commercial leaders, setting ambitious revenue and profitability targets. Own the business case for the portfolio and ensure all products meet their financial objectives and margin goals. Identify and implement new commercial models (e.g., outcome-based pricing, AI-as-a-Service offerings) to accelerate market penetration and capture new revenue streams. Monitor key performance metrics (revenue, margins, market share, NPS/customer satisfaction) and optimize product and pricing strategies to achieve profitable growth. Ensure effective go-to-market execution and above-industry customer experience in collaboration with sales and delivery teams.

• Ecosystem & Partnerships: Build a strong ecosystem of strategic partnerships and alliances to enhance the company’s AI capabilities and market reach. Forge and manage relationships with leading AI technology vendors, cloud hyperscalers, and automation platform providers, negotiating optimal agreements and integrating partner offerings to enrich the product portfolio. Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders (including senior management, sales, technology, and delivery teams) to ensure alignment on AI business growth plans and seamless execution across functions. Represent the company as an AI thought leader at key industry forums, conferences, and with enterprise customers, to strengthen brand authority and promote the organization’s leadership in AI and intelligent automation.

• Governance & Operational Excellence: Establish and uphold robust governance frameworks for AI & Automation initiatives. Ensure consistent, high-quality product development processes and standardized pricing methodologies, with timely input and coordination across all relevant functions. Oversee financial discipline for the portfolio—budgeting, forecasting, and controlling expenditure—to meet financial targets and optimize efficiency. Proactively identify risks (technical, financial, or operational) and implement mitigation strategies to safeguard business outcomes. Champion adherence to responsible AI practices, data privacy regulations, and AI ethics, embedding compliance and risk management into all AI product and service lifecycles.

• People Leadership & Development: Build and lead a high-performing, diverse team of AI, data science, and automation professionals. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, ensuring the team remains at the forefront of AI advancements and industry best practices. Attract, develop, and retain top talent by providing coaching, clear performance expectations, and growth opportunities. Empower team members with the skills, resources, and support needed to excel, while promoting knowledge sharing and a culture of experimentation. Lead by example to inspire accountability and excellence, and recognize outstanding contributions that drive the success of the AI & Automation portfolio.

Budget Management

• Maintain financial forecasts, while governing expenditure against approved budgets and investments. Continuously identify areas for improved efficiency and effectiveness.
• Identify and mitigate financial risks and develop corrective action plans as needed.
• Ensure identification, implementation, and development of processes to optimise cost efficiency across the AI & Automation portfolio.
• Manage investment cases for new AI product development, technology partnerships, and platform acquisitions.

Channel Development and Sales Revenue Growth:

• Lead the design, development, deployment, and maintenance of AI solutions.
• Prioritize AI projects based on business impact and feasibility.
• Oversee proof-of-concepts, pilots, and enterprise-scale implementations.
• Ensure AI solutions deliver measurable outcomes and return on investment.
• Develop the annual AI & Intelligent Automation Products and Solutions business plans; sales cadence and pipeline management.
• Partner with sales executives to set annual revenue targets for the AI & Automation portfolio according to the agreed business plan.
• Maintain overall accountability for revenue, profitability, and the delivery of margin targets.
• Deliver profitable growth by actively managing costs through the sales, delivery, and servicing product cycle.
• Ensure service delivery translates into an above-industry Net Promoter Score (NPS) standard.
• Evaluate the price performance of AI & Automation Products and Solutions by developing a robust price monitoring plan and make corresponding price optimisation recommendations.
• Identify and develop new commercial models (e.g., outcome-based pricing, AI-as-a-Service) to accelerate market penetration and revenue growth.

Stakeholder Management

• Build collaborative partner ecosystem and alliances with AI technology vendors, hyperscalers, and ecosystem partners for market success.
• Negotiate the best possible rate card with the partners to ensure profitability.
• Manage and collaborate with Vodacom Business management and sales leadership to develop growth plans for the AI & Automation business.
• Collaborate, champion, and enable effective leadership and cross-functional working relationship