Group IT – Artificial Intelligence [AI] Portfolio Lead

First Quantum Minerals; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mining and metals company in Greater London seeks an AI Lead to oversee and manage its internal portfolio of AI initiatives. This pivotal role requires collaboration across business units to ensure alignment with strategic goals while delivering measurable value. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related fields, alongside proven experience in program management and excellent communication skills. A competitive compensation package and flexible working are offered.

Benefits

Competitive base compensation

Financial incentives

Flexible working environment

Qualifications

• Experience with portfolio or program management methodologies.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, or GCP.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage internal AI portfolio and resource allocation.
• Develop and maintain a roadmap of AI initiatives.
• Collaborate with business leaders for AI-driven innovation.

Skills

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Communication

AI technologies understanding

Change management

Education

Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI or related field

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

Job description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Company Description:

First Quantum Minerals is a leading Canadian-based global mining & metals company focused on the production of copper, nickel, gold & cobalt. As a company, we strive for continuous excellence and after 25 years of operations we are now one of the world’s top 10 copper producers, exporting millions of tonnes of concentrate from multiple countries to customers worldwide. Our operations and future developments span across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and the Americas, and we are globally recognised for our specialist technical, engineering, construction and operational skills, which allow us to unlock value from complex mineral projects and deliver rewarding careers for our people, returns for our shareholders and sustainable development for the many local communities that host our operations. As we expand our operations, continue to provide metals to build the modern world and shift to a low carbon, greener economy in the years ahead, our mining projects will continue to require the best and the brightest talent to help us solve the emerging challenges of our time, shape our business and unlock opportunities for our future.

Job Description:

Although our production and financial results are the engine that drives our business, it is the depth of capability in our people that will continue to determine First Quantum’s ongoing success. Reporting to the Head of Group IT, this AI Lead role will oversee and manage our internal portfolio of AI initiatives and so will be pivotal in driving the adoption, development, and governance of AI solutions across the organisation. The AI Lead will work cross-functionally with business units, data teams, and IT to ensure AI projects align with strategic goals, deliver measurable value, and adhere to ethical and regulatory standards, policy and frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio Management

• Own and maintain the internal AI portfolio, including use case prioritisation, resource allocation, and delivery tracking.
• Develop and maintain a roadmap of AI initiatives aligned with business strategy.
• Monitor performance metrics and KPIs for AI projects.
• Deliver senior management reporting on progress and performance of the AI portfolio.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with business leaders to identify opportunities for AI-driven innovation and efficiency.
• Communicate AI strategy, progress, and outcomes to senior stakeholders.

Training

• Develop and make available, tailored programmes of training for all stakeholders.

Advice and Guidance

• Provide advice and guidance to key AI initiatives.
• Build a network of experts and third parties who can support AI programmes of work.

Technical Leadership

• Guide the design, development, and deployment of AI models and solutions.
• Ensure scalability, reliability, and maintainability of AI systems.
• Stay current with AI trends and technologies to inform strategic decisions.

Governance & Compliance

• Establish and enforce best practices for responsible AI, including data privacy, model explainability, and bias mitigation.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

Team Enablement

• Work with senior business leaders to create and advise a community of AI Champions.
• Support and mentor data scientists, data engineers, and analysts working on AI projects.
• Foster a culture of experimentation, learning, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications Required

• Experience with portfolio or program management methodologies.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP) and operational practices.
• Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

Desirable Skills Required

• Experience leading AI or data management initiatives in a complex environment.
• An understanding of machine learning, NLP, computer vision and AI platforms.
• Experience in change management and digital transformation.
• Knowledge of ethical AI frameworks and regulatory landscapes.
• Ability to translate business problems into AI solutions.

Experience & Skills Required

• Knowledge of AI Management frameworks, practices, and processes.
• 5+ years of providing line management, team leadership, coaching and mentoring – ideally with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to translate technical language and ideas into business terms.
• Consulting skills would be a plus.
• Ideally, experience above includes mining industry experience, but this is not mandatory.

Behavioural Traits Required

• Outgoing and comfortable with engaging with all levels of a large multi-national organisation. Critically, this role requires an individual capable of building trusted networks across a diverse business. The ability to identify requirements and build relationships will be key to success.
• Business benefit and outcome driven.
• Commercially astute and value-for-money driven.

Other Requirements:

Candidates must have the right to work in the applicable region without visa sponsorship

Mobile. Willingness to work and travel across FQM’s operations and locations worldwide

Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in other languages highly regarded

Willingness to perform work scope outside of the core responsibilities of the role

Core Values & Behavioural Profile:

FQM’s culture is centred on fostering innovation, harnessing original thinking and challenging convention. We work Bolder, Smarter, Driven, Together. These 4 pillars are the keys to our growth in the past, the success of our present, and the foundations of our continued evolution and improvement into the future.

Additional Information

First Quantum Benefits

A dynamic, challenging and extraordinary working environment where safety is a number one priority

Opportunity to develop within a growing company that is currently one of the world's top 10 copper producers

Highly competitive base compensation & financial incentives (discretionary bonuses & long-term share plan)

Attractive benefits package & leave options aligned with local market best practice

Performance over presence culture & flexible working environment as per business requirements

Diversity & Inclusion

At FQM, while at the beginning of our D&I journey, we are committed to embedding the principles of diversity and inclusion into our culture, company and practices with the aim of ensuring an environment of equity irrespective of race, gender age, religion, identity or experience.

Office : London preferred but open to other FQM office locations

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