Global University Systems (GUS) is a leading international education group dedicated to transforming lives, careers, and society through inclusive and innovative learning. With a network of 31 institutions and over 130 academic partners, GUS empowers more than 122,000 campus students and 20 million digital learners worldwide. Through a broad portfolio of career-enhancing certificates, degrees, and postgraduate qualifications, GUS champions accessibility, diversity, and digital-first education to foster lifelong success. Currently entering an exciting era of integrating AI and automation, GUS is committed to redefining education and creating a brighter, more sustainable future for students across the globe.
As we enter a new era of AI-driven transformation, we are investing heavily in intelligent automation to enhance every part of our organisation, from admissions and finance to student support and academic delivery. Our mission is clear: to build a brighter, more sustainable future through education and technology.
Role Overview:
The Director of AI Operations will be a key driver of GUS’s AI and automation strategy, focusing on the implementation and adoption of automation technology across our global institutions. This is an operations-focused leadership position for someone passionate about deploying intelligent systems to optimise workflows, enhance productivity and enable measurable business transformation. The position centres on leading process optimisation, process mapping and change management initiatives to ensure successful deployment, adoption and value realisation within institutional operations.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Vision and Leadership
* Develop and deliver GUS’s AI and automation strategy with a focus on scalability, performance and institutional impact.
* Translate executive AI strategy into practical business process transformation programmes across GUS institutions.
* Provide regular updates on adoption metrics, performance outcomes and return on investment.
* Align implementation roadmaps with GUS’s strategic priorities and global technology standards.
Implementation and Operational Automation
* Lead the implementation of a vendor-provided automation platform across GUS’ global institutions
* Act as the primary operational liaison technology vendors; coordinating changes, resolving issues and ensuring effective deployment.
* Oversee testing, roll-out and performance monitoring of the automation solution, ensuring integration with existing systems and workflows.
* Establish standards for process documentation, governance and compliance to support sustainable automation practices.
Process Optimisation and Change Management
* Drive process mapping and optimisation initiatives to identify efficiencies and enhance operational performance.
* Act as a change agent to help departments redesign processes that take full advantage of intelligent automation.
* Work closely with institutional stakeholders to ensure engagement, training and adoption of the automation platform.
* Collect feedback and performance data to continually improve process design and system effectiveness.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
* Partner closely with UK institutional leaders to guide and support the adoption of AI operations across areas such as admissions, finance, human resources and academic administration.
* Facilitate communication and coordination between institutional teams, the central AI function and the technology vendor.
* Provide ongoing support, troubleshooting and implementation feedback to ensure optimal performance and sustained improvement.
Team Leadership and Culture
* Build and lead a multi-disciplinary team of automation specialists, business analysts and change managers.
* Foster a culture of innovation, adaptability and continuous improvement across AI-related programmes.
* Develop partnerships with EdTech and AI industry leaders to remain at the forefront of operational automation practices.
Required Skills and Experience:
* Proven experience delivering and scaling robotic process automation, workflow automation or enterprise AI solutions in complex organisations.
* Demonstrated expertise in process mapping, process optimisation and managing organisational change.
* Strong understanding of operational systems, data flows and business process redesign.
* Technical fluency in AI automation platforms, data management and machine learning concepts.
* Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and promote successful technology adoption.
* Experience working with technology vendors, managing feedback loops and overseeing system performance.
* Strong leadership and programme management skills, with the ability to coordinate across global and cross-functional teams.
* Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Systems or a related field is desirable but not essential.
* A passion for education, technology and inclusive innovation.