Applied AI Operations Lead

ai71; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AI71 is seeking a Manager, Business Operations to keep the Applied AI function running on time and on track. You will own the day-to-day mechanics of operations, reporting, and analysis, collaborating with Product, Commercial, Customer Success, Partnerships, and Corporate Functions.

A hands-on contributor role with a strong emphasis on accuracy and follow-through. You will drive recurring leadership meetings, KPI trackers, and board materials, while building scalable processes as the team grows.

Qualifications

• Approximately 4 to 8 years of professional experience in business operations, strategy, consulting, corporate development, chief of staff, or a comparable analytical role.
• Experience in management consulting, investment banking, a high-growth technology business, or a similarly demanding environment is preferred.
• Strong analytical toolkit. Highly proficient in spreadsheets and presentation software, and comfortable working with data from multiple systems.
• Evidence of running recurring reporting or planning cycles, or of supporting senior stakeholders with structured analysis and materials.
• Genuine AI fluency. You use AI tools daily to speed up your own work and you look for ways to automate the repetitive parts of the role.
• Exposure to commercial topics such as pipeline, pricing, forecasting, or go-to-market is an advantage.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Responsibilities

• Run the recurring operating rhythm of the Applied AI function, including weekly leadership meetings, monthly business reviews, and quarterly planning cycles.
• Maintain the KPI and OKR trackers. Collect data from source owners, validate it, flag anomalies, and keep the numbers current and trustworthy.
• Build and maintain recurring reporting packs and dashboards for leadership, keeping formats consistent and data accurate.
• Own the action and decision log. Chase owners, elevate slippage early, and make sure commitments made in the room are delivered outside it.
• Support the preparation of board, investor, and partner materials, including drafting slides, sourcing data, fact-checking, and version control.
• Document and improve operating processes as the team grows, replacing ad hoc workarounds with something repeatable.
• Conduct research and analysis on business, market, and commercial questions, and turn findings into clear, well-structured outputs.
• Build and maintain models and trackers covering pipeline, forecasts, resourcing, and delivery status.
• Support cross-functional initiatives as the working-level owner: run the project plan, coordinate contributors, track milestones, and surface blockers.
• Prepare briefing notes, pre-reads, and summaries ahead of internal and external meetings.
• Take on discrete pieces of work handed down from the Head of Business Operations and return them finished, checked, and ready to use.
• Track pipeline and revenue reporting, pricing analysis, proposals, and go-to-market materials with Commercial leadership.
• Coordinate inputs across teams so that reporting, planning, and forecasting cycles land on time.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Spreadsheets

Presentation software

AI fluency

Attention to detail

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

AI71 is seeking a Manager, Business Operations to keep the Applied AI function running on time and on track. You will own the day-to-day mechanics of operations, reporting, and analysis, collaborating with Product, Commercial, Customer Success, Partnerships, and Corporate Functions.

A hands-on contributor role with a strong emphasis on accuracy and follow-through. You will drive recurring leadership meetings, KPI trackers, and board materials, while building scalable processes as the team grows.