Digital Automation Lead: AI & Business Productivity

Role Summary

Our client is looking for a Digital Automation Lead: AI & Business Productivity to drive the adoption of AI, automation, and digital productivity tools across the business.

This role works closely with business leaders, IT, operations, partner business, finance, compliance, and support teams to identify manual processes, design smarter workflows, implement automation, and help teams use AI safely and effectively.

The successful candidate will be responsible for turning business problems into practical digital solutions that improve efficiency, reduce manual work, enhance customer and increase productivity across the business.

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to lead the internal digital automation and AI adoption initiatives, with a strong focus on practical business outcomes.

The role will help the business:

Identify repetitive, manual, or inefficient processes.

Design and implement AI enabled workflows.

Improve productivity using Microsoft 365, Anthropic, and other approved tools.

Train teams to use AI and automation responsibly.

Track and report measurable business value from automation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

AI, Automation and Productivity Strategy

Build and manage the company's AI and automation roadmap.

Identify high value automation opportunities across departments.

Prioritise initiatives based on business value, complexity, cost, risk, and readiness.

Work with leadership to align automation initiatives with business objectives.

Recommend suitable tools, platforms, and vendors where required.

Process Improvement

Map current business processes and identify inefficiencies.

Redesign workflows before automating them.

Work with business users to understand pain points and requirements.

Document current state and future state processes.

Reduce duplication, manual admin, delays, and avoidable errors.

Solution Delivery

Design, build, configure, or coordinate automation solutions.

Use tools such as Microsoft Power Automate, Power Apps, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, Outlook, Copilot Studio, and related platforms.

Work with IT and vendors on integrations, APIs, data flows, and system changes.

Test automation solutions before release.

AI Adoption and Training

Drive adoption of approved AI tools across the business.

Create user guides, training sessions, demos, and practical use case examples.

Help teams use AI for productivity, communication, reporting, document handling, and operational workflows.

Coach users on responsible AI usage, including reviewing AI outputs and protecting confidential information.

Build internal champions across departments.

Governance, Risk and Compliance

Work with IT, Security, Compliance, and Legal to define safe AI and automation

practices.

Support policies for AI usage, data handling, approval workflows, and access control.

Ensure automation solutions comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act

(POPIA) and internal security standards.

Align AI and automation practices with relevant financial services regulation, including Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) requirements, Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) expectations, and Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) obligations where applicable.

Identify and manage risks around confidential data, customer information, system access, and AI generated outputs.

Maintain proper documentation, audit trails, and change control.

Reporting and Value Tracking

Track benefits from automation and AI initiatives.

Report on hours saved, reduced processing time, error reduction, adoption levels, and

business impact.

Provide regular updates to leadership.

Maintain a pipeline of future automation opportunities.

Required Experience

Essential

Four or more years of experience in digital transformation, business systems,

automation, IT, business analysis, operations improvement, or similar.

Practical experience with business process automation.

Experience using Microsoft 365 tools such as Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel, and Forms.

Experience with automation platforms such as Microsoft Power Automate, Power Apps, UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Zapier, Make, or similar.

Strong understanding of process mapping and requirements gathering.

Ability to work directly with business users and translate requirements into practical solutions.

Good understanding of data privacy, information security, and responsible AI usage.

Strong documentation and communication skills.

Ability to train, influence, and support users across different departments.

Preferred

Experience with Copilot Studio, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI, Power BI, or

Dataverse. Anthropic skills are highly beneficial.

Experience in insurance, financial services, call centres, sales operations, or broker networks.

Experience working with CRM, lead management, policy administration, or customer service systems.

Basic knowledge of APIs, integrations, SQL, Python, JavaScript, or scripting.

Experience creating AI usage guidelines, automation governance, or digital adoption programmes.

Experience managing vendors or external technology partners.

Education and Certifications

Minimum

A National Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Information

Systems, Computer Science, Business Analysis, Data Analytics, Engineering, or a

related field (NQF Level 6 or higher).

Or:

Equivalent practical experience in automation, digital transformation, business

systems, or technology delivery.

Preferred Certifications

Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals

Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate

Microsoft 365 Fundamentals

Business Analysis certification

Agile or Scrum certification

ITIL Foundation

Change management certification

POPIA, privacy, or security related training