Director of AI, Automation and Systems

Barden | B Corp; Dublin; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Barden is seeking a Director of AI, Automation and Systems in Dublin to lead the systems architecture, design and integration initiatives. You will own the roadmap inside the Microsoft environment and guide partner delivery from prioritisation to adoption.

You will be a trusted partner to senior leadership and build secure solutions within Microsoft. The role requires 10+ years in technology leadership, deep Microsoft experience, and a hands-on mindset to drive transformation in a fast-growing

Qualifications

• 10+ years in technology leadership.
• Deep Microsoft experience, incl. Copilot, Power Platform, and Azure.
• Strong data mining, governance, and architecture experience across multiple systems.
• Track record of enterprise AI or automation from roadmap to adoption.
• Experience leading delivery through partners and vendors, incl. commercial scope.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day IT through a well-established MSP, balancing support with transformation.
• Own the AI and automation roadmap from prioritisation to adoption and value.
• Lead AI enablement across Microsoft 365, Copilot, Power Platform and Azure.
• Direct the AI strategy and implementation partners on scope, quality and delivery.
• Set AI governance, security, and data standards for the business.
• Coordinate reporting across Oracle Fusion, Salesforce, and other platforms.

Skills

AI Leadership

Technology Strategy

Data Governance

Data Architecture

Stakeholder Mgmt

Vendor Management

Tools

Microsoft 365

Copilot

Power Platform

Azure

Oracle Fusion

Salesforce

Job description

ROLE: Director of AI, Automation and Systems

LOCATION: Dublin

REPORTING TO: Chief Operating Officer

EMPLOYMENT: Permanent role, Central Dublin, 5 days a week in office

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Barden is delighted to be partnering with the Chief Operating Officer of a fast-growing investment business in Dublin to appoint a Director of AI, Automation and Systems. This person will lead their systems architecture, design & integration initiatives. The business is lean and flat, with a strong platform in place and ambitious plans to keep growing.

You will own the roadmap, setting direction within the business’s Microsoft environment and leading partner delivery from prioritisation to adoption. You will be a visible, trusted partner to senior leadership and the executive team and the various functions across the business, and you will build solutions securely within the business’s own Microsoft environment.

“The groundwork is done. We have mapped a long pipeline of AI and automation ideas across finance, operations, and the investment team, and our partners are in place. What we need now is a dedicated leader to own that pipeline, deliver it inside our Microsoft environment, and keep it moving.” Chief Operating Officer

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee day-to-day IT through a well-established managed service provider, keeping support in balance with transformation delivery.
• Own the AI and automation roadmap, from prioritising use cases to adoption and value.
• Lead AI enablement across Microsoft 365, Copilot, Power Platform, and Azure.
• Direct the AI strategy and implementation partners on scope, quality, and delivery.
• Set the AI governance, security, and data standards the business relies on.
• Bring reporting together across Oracle Fusion, Salesforce, and other platforms.

ABOUT THE PERSON:

This is a strategic role that also needs a hands-on mentality. Transformation and delivery carry the heavier weighting, so we are looking for a senior leader who is as comfortable in the detail as they are in the boardroom.

• +10 years years in technology leadership, with senior experience in AI, platforms, or transformation.
• Deep Microsoft experience, ideally including Copilot, Power Platform, and Azure.
• Strong data mining, data governance, and data architecture experience, including consolidating reporting across multiple systems.
• A track record of taking enterprise AI or automation from roadmap to real adoption.
• Experience leading delivery through partners and vendors, including commercial scope.
• Credibility with executive stakeholders, and happy to get close to the detail in a lean team.
• Experience in any complex environment; financial services, private equity or investment is a plus.