Head of AI Delivery & Operations

Core Group represents some of the world's most recognised technology brands across Sub-Saharan Africa. Our businesses operate across retail, distribution, ecommerce, technology and customer services. We are a fast-moving, entrepreneurial organisation focused on finding smarter ways to work, improving customer experiences and using technology to create meaningful business value.

Core Group is looking for a hands-on Head of AI Delivery & Operations to help turn practical AI ideas into working solutions across our businesses.

This role is for someone who enjoys building, testing and improving solutions, not just talking about AI strategy. You will work closely with executive leadership, technology teams and business stakeholders to identify opportunities, prove what works and deliver measurable business value.

You will lead AI governance, shape intelligent automation, explore new technologies and support the responsible adoption of AI across the Group. The role will start as a hands-on leadership position in a lean team, with room to grow the capability as business needs evolve.

• Establish and manage a practical AI operating framework across the Group.

• Evaluate AI platforms, tools and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for the business.

• Develop appropriate governance, security, privacy and responsible AI standards.

• Work with business and technology leaders to support the safe and effective adoption of AI.

• Guide teams on how to use AI tools effectively while managing risk and cost.

• Identify opportunities to improve business processes, customer experiences and employee productivity through AI.

• Design and implement AI-powered assistants, intelligent agents and automated workflows across business functions.

• Develop solutions that integrate AI with existing business systems, applications and processes.

• Build and manage knowledge-based AI solutions that provide reliable and relevant information.

• Ensure AI solutions have appropriate controls, testing, performance monitoring and escalation processes.

• Take AI initiatives from initial concept and proof of concept through to successful implementation.

• Work with variousenterprise AI technologies.

• Explore and implement large language models, retrieval-augmented generation and agentic AI solutions.

• Evaluate privately hosted and open-source AI models where appropriate.

• Collaborate with internal development, infrastructure, cybersecurity and data teams to integrate AI into the existing technology environment.

• Assess technical feasibility, scalability, performance, security and cost when selecting solutions.

• Determine when solutions should be developed internally or delivered through external technology partners.

• Partner with business leaders to understand operational challenges and identify meaningful AI opportunities.

• Establish a structured approach for evaluating and prioritising AI initiatives.

• Lead practical experimentation and pilot projects to demonstrate business value.

• Stay informed about emerging AI technologies and identify opportunities relevant to the Group.

• Encourage knowledge-sharing, collaboration and responsible AI adoption across the business.

• Develop business cases for AI initiatives and assess their potential return on investment.

• Manage AI-related expenditure, including software licensing, infrastructure and external service providers.

• Monitor adoption, performance and measurable business outcomes.

• Develop and manage an AI delivery roadmap aligned with business priorities.

• Provide clear updates to leadership on progress,…