Head of AI & Automation
About Us:
SKJ Capital is a family-owned private equity firm based in Brisbane with
a diverse portfolio of businesses across Australia and the United States.
SKJ Capital’s portfolio is growing rapidly and spans across
hospitality, craft brewing, retail liquor, fleet logistics, childcare, and
commercial property.
We are passionate about building memorable brands that connect with
customers and communities.
Role Overview:
As we continue to grow both organically and through acquisition, we
need someone to own our AI and automation capability at a group level. This is
a hands-on, implementation-focused role for someone who has built automation
systems inside real operational businesses, not just advised on them.
Initially, you’ll audit every business unit across the group, identify
where intelligent automation can improve efficiency and free our teams to focus
on what matters, then you’ll build and deploy those systems. When we acquire a
new business, you’ll be part of the process from due diligence through to
integration ensuring every new entity is operating efficiently from day one.
This is a rare opportunity to work directly with the COO of a
fast-growing private group, with genuine scope, real resources, and the
autonomy to build something meaningful.
Key Responsibilities:
In your first 90 days:
·Shadow operations across every business unit and
document all manual, repetitive, and labour-intensive processes,
- Audit the current technology
stack across all entities, identifying what’s connected, what’s siloed,
and what’s being done manually that shouldn’t be,
- Interview GM’s and team
leads to understand their biggest operational frustrations and time drains,
- Produce a prioritised
automation roadmap, ranked by effort vs impact, for CEO sign-off, and
·Begin implementing highest-priority automations and
deliver your first efficiency report within 30 days.
Ongoing:
·Own the group AI and automation stack – evaluate,
procure, and integrate tools across scheduling, finance, marketing, operations,
compliance, and customer service,
- Build and maintain automated
workflows across accounting software, Microsoft 365, Slack, and
industry-specific platforms,
- Deploy and manage AI-powered
marketing pipelines across our consumer brands,
- Participate in merger &
acquisition due diligence to assess operational efficiency opportunities
in acquisition targets,
- Lead post-acquisition
technology integration, ensuring new businesses are running on a lean,
efficient stack within 90 days of settlement,
- Report directly to the COO
monthly with clear metrics: efficiency gains, workload absorbed, and
operational capacity created,
- Train and upskill staff
across the group to work effectively with AI tools, and
- Manage relationships with AI
vendors, integration partners, and technical contractors.
Skills & Qualifications Required:
- Experience
implementing automation and AI tools inside operational businesses – not
just in a consulting or advisory capacity,
- Hands-on
experience with workflow automation platforms such as Make, Zapier, or n8n,
- Demonstrated
experience integrating LLMs into business workflows – including API usage,
prompt engineering, and agent-based automation,
- Solid
familiarity with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and Entra ID environments,
- Experience
automating within ERP or accounting platforms, ideally Xero,
- Strong
commercial acumen – you understand unit economics and can articulate the
ROI of every system you build, and
- The
ability to manage change sensitively – bringing teams along with you
rather than imposing technology on them.
Highly
regarded:
- Experience
working across multi-site or multi-entity business environments,
- Involvement
in post-acquisition operational integration,
- Familiarity
with software used in hospitality, childcare, or logistics industries, and
- Experience
building AI-powered marketing workflows and paid media automation.
What we offer:
We value our team and offer a range of benefits to support your
professional growth and wellbeing:
- Competitive
salary based on experience
- ·Performance
bonus available, tied to measurable efficiency and capacity outcomes
- Staff
discounts and perks across our hospitality, liquor, and childcare businesses
- Daily food
and coffee benefits
- Direct access
to and mentorship from the Group CEO
- Autonomy to
shape the role, the stack, and the strategy
- The
opportunity to be part of a growing and innovative group of businesses
- ·Discounted
gym membership
- Ongoing
training and professional development opportunities
- Employee
Assistance Program (EAP)\
- Salary
sacrifice options
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Before commencing employment, successful applicants will need to
provide:
- Verification
of identity
- Right to work
documentation
- References
- Proof of
highest level of education
- Consent for
us to conduct background checks
If you think this role may be suitable for you, please submit your
resume along with a cover letter (maximum one page) addressing the following
three questions:
1. What is the
most impactful automation you have ever built, and how did you measure its
success?
2. What does
your typical process look like when you walk into a new business and assess its
automation potential?
3. Why does this
role appeal to you?
Applications without a cover letter addressing these questions will
not be considered.
If you have further questions about the role, please email mel@skjcapital.com
