Head of Business Technology - AI, Automation & Business Systems

Head of Business Technology - AI, Automation & Business Systems

A leading law firm is seeking a Head of Business Technology to establish and lead a new firm-wide AI, automation and business technology capability.

This is a newly created leadership position with a mandate to examine processes across Finance, HR, Risk, Business Development, Operations and Technology, identify high-value opportunities and deliver solutions that improve efficiency and support business growth.

The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with genuine technical credibility. You will need to influence senior stakeholders, develop a firm-wide roadmap and build a high-performing internal capability, while remaining close enough to the technology to develop mock-ups, create workable prototypes and lead delivery from the front.

The role will lead two connected areas:

Build a new AI, data and automation capability, using the most appropriate modern technologies to deliver productivity and process-improvement solutions.

Oversee the firm's portfolio of core business systems, integrations and technology partners, ensuring platforms remain stable, scalable and aligned with business requirements.

Key responsibilities:

Develop the firm-wide AI, automation and business technology strategy.

Assess processes across business-services functions and identify opportunities with measurable potential value.

Build and manage a prioritised pipeline of AI and automation initiatives.

Lead solutions from discovery and process mapping through prototyping, testing, deployment and continuous improvement.

Establish engineering standards, toolchains, governance and delivery methodologies.

Build internal delivery capability while making selective use of external partners.

Lead workshops and design sessions with senior business stakeholders.

Oversee core systems of record, integrations, vendors and technology partners.

Recruit, lead and develop a multidisciplinary technology team.

Define success measures covering adoption, operational improvement, financial value and benefits realisation.

Required experience:

Senior leadership experience within AI, intelligent automation, RPA, digital transformation or a closely related technology function.

Proven delivery of automation and AI solutions across multiple business functions, with evidence of tangible operational or financial value.

Strong understanding of generative AI, agentic solutions, workflow automation, orchestration and enterprise integration.

Sufficient hands-on technical capability to develop prototypes and provide credible technical leadership.

Experience building a new capability, function or high-performing technology team.

Strong engagement with Director, C-suite and senior business stakeholders.

Experience establishing engineering standards, delivery models and technology roadmaps.

Understanding of enterprise business systems and systems of record such as ERP, CRM, HR and finance platforms.

Experience managing technology vendors, delivery partners and systems integrators.

Professional-services experience would be advantageous but is not essential. The organisation is open to candidates from other complex, regulated or knowledge-intensive environments.

This is a rare opportunity to create a new capability from the ground up and shape how AI and automation are applied across an entire organisation.