ASPIRE Global Service Centre – AI and Automation Lead

Company Description

Version 1 are a true global leader in business transformation. For nearly three decades, we have been strategically partnering with customers to go beyond expectations through the power of cutting-edge technology and expert teams. Our deep expertise in cloud, data and AI, application modernisation, and service delivery management has redefined businesses globally, helping shape the future for large public sector organisations and major global, private brands.

We put users and user-centric design at the heart of everything we do, enabling our customers to exceed expectations for their customers. Our approach is underpinned by the Version 1 Strength in Balance model – a balanced focus across our customers, our people and a strong organisation. This model is guided by core values that are embedded in every aspect of what we do.

Our customers’ need for transformation is our driving force. We enable them to accelerate their journey to their digital future with our deep expertise and innovative approach. Our global technology partners – Oracle, Microsoft, AWS, Red Hat, and Snowflake – help us tackle any challenge by leveraging a technology-driven approach. Our people unlock our potential. They immerse themselves into the world of our customers to truly understand the unique challenges they face.

Our teams, made up of highly skilled, passionate individuals, act with agility and integrity. We continually invest in their development and foster a culture that encourages collaboration and innovation. This is a reflection of our Strength in Balance model, which emphasises a balanced focus on our customers, our people, and a strong organisation.

Through our comprehensive range of Managed Service offerings, we take ownership of the tasks that distract Customers from what really matters; driving their business objectives and strategic initiatives. We enable them to save time, and reduce costs and risk, by continually improving your technology estates, ensuring they drive value for their business.

Go beyond simply ‘keeping the lights on’ and embrace the potential of our ASPIRE Managed Services that place AI, continuous improvement and business innovation at the heart of everything we do. From operational maintenance through to optimisation, we are trusted managed service experts with a sustainable, value-led approach and a wealth of industry sector expertise and experience.

Job Description

• Onsite role, India Delivery Centre / Belfast / Dublin
• Full time position, 3-5 days per week in office (not shift)
• Department: ASPIRE Managed Services
• Practice: Services Reliability Group
• Vetting Requirements: N/A 

Role Summary:

Our ASPIRE Global Service Centre is the central hub of our Service Management operations. Beyond a traditional Service Desk, it stands as the central authority and shared service delivery hub, orchestrating all operational workflows, processes, procedures, and tooling. It’s a core delivery component of the Version 1 ASPIRE Managed Services offering that places AI, continuous improvement and business innovation at the heart of everything Version 1 does. With a focus on supporting self-service and automation, we utilise the best digital capabilities of the ServiceNow ITSM tooling product to provide the very best Experience to our Customers.

We are seeking an experienced and results-driven AI and Automation Lead who will be responsible for driving the strategic implementation and operational excellence of automation and artificial intelligence initiatives for ASPIRE Managed Services.

This role leads the identification, design, and deployment of intelligent automation solutions to improve operational efficiency and productivity, enhance decision making, scale operations and deliver a competitive advantage in the market.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the ASPIRE Managed Services automation and AI strategy aligned with SRG and EA Practice goals
• Identify opportunities for AI and automation across all Managed Service functions, tooling and processes
• Champion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement through emerging technologies
• Lead end-to-end delivery of automation and AI projects, including planning, development, testing, deployment, and monitoring
• Establish governance frameworks and best practices for AI and automation initiatives
• Oversee the design and implementation of AI models, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), and intelligent workflows
• Ensure solutions are scalable, secure, and compliant with data privacy and ethical standards
• Evaluate and select appropriate tools, platforms, and vendors
• Collaborate with business units to understand pain points and co-create solutions
• Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Monitor performance and continuously optimise solutions.
• Delivery of measurable business value through automation and AI
• Development of internal capabilities and knowledge sharing across teams

Qualifications

Skills, Education & Qualifications:

• Proven experience (5 years +) leading automation and AI projects in a complex, multi-client or enterprise-scale managed services environment, with demonstrable delivery of measurable business outcomes
• Strong technical expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, including:
  • Supervised/unsupervised learning, deep learning, and natural language processing (NLP)
  • Model development using frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn
  • Experience deploying AI models in production environments using MLOps principles (e.g., MLflow, Azure ML, SageMaker).
• Hands-on experience with automation and orchestration technologies, such as:
  • Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platforms: UiPath, Blue Prism, Automation Anywhere
  • IT process automation (ITPA) tools: ServiceNow Workflow/Orchestration, Microsoft Power Automate, Ansible, Terraform
  • Integration using APIs and event-driven architectures (e.g., Kafka, Azure Event Grid)
• Proficiency in cloud-native AI and automation services in one of or more of public cloud platforms:
  • Azure (Cognitive Services, Synapse, Logic Apps, Azure OpenAI)
  • AWS (SageMaker, Lambda, Textract, Step Functions)
  • GCP (Vertex AI, AutoML, Cloud Functions)
• Strong project delivery experience using modern methodologies:
  • Agile/Scrum and DevOps for iterative development and deployment
  • CI/CD pipeline integration for automation and ML model lifecycle management
  • Use of tools like Git, Jenkins, and Azure DevOps
• In-depth knowledge of data architecture, governance, and AI ethics, including:
  • Data privacy and security principles (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001)
  • Responsible AI practices: bias detection, explainability (e.g., SHAP, LIME), model drift monitoring
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to:
  • Translate complex AI and automation concepts into business value
  • Influence cross-functional teams and executive leadership
  • Promote a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning
• Excellent leadership and team management skills
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving abilities
• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Adaptability to evolving technologies and processes
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience

Additional Information

At Version 1, we believe in providing our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that prioritises their well-being, professional growth, and financial stability.

One of our standout advantages is the ability to work with a hybrid schedule along with business travel, allowing our employees to strike a balance between work and life.

We prioritise the health and safety of our employees, providing private medical and life insurance coverage, as well as free eye tests and contributions towards glasses. Our team members can also stay ahead of the curve with incentivized certifications and accreditations, including AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, and Red Hat.

Our employee-designed Profit Share scheme divides a portion of our company's profits each quarter amongst employees. We are dedicated to helping our employees reach their full potential, offering Pathways Career Development Quarterly, a programme designed to support professional growth.