Second Wave AI JobsAn AI automation lead or analyst finds work that tools can take off people's hands, then builds or specifies the fix and makes sure teams use it. The work mixes process mapping, hands-on building in tools such as Power Automate or Copilot Studio, and the rules for using AI safely. This template is based on the 8 UK AI automation lead ads we have listed (posted between 23 Sep 2026 and 23 Oct 2026). 3 of them state pay and 2 say who the role reports to.
What an AI automation lead does
These are the duties that come up again and again in the ads, in our words.
- Map how work is done today and find the steps automation or AI could remove.
- Build workflows and small tools, or write clear requirements for a build team.
- Run pilots and move the ones that work into everyday use.
- Apply the rules on data protection, security and human checks to each solution.
- Help teams adopt what has been built and track whether it stays in use.
- Measure the time or money saved.
1 of the 8 ads mentions Copilot.
Who it reports to
Two of these ads place the role in IT or technology. Fisher German's lead joins the Systems team in IT, and WWF-UK's reports to the Director of Technology. Others sit where the work is: a law firm's knowledge team, or a central AI team, as at HSPG, where the AI Analyst reports to the AI Manager.
Only 2 of the 8 ads state the reporting line. Put it in yours: it tells candidates how senior the job is.
How cross-functional it is
The ads name the teams whose work is being changed, and half of them also name security, data protection or governance. WWF-UK's lead works across data, security, privacy and technology to set ownership, human oversight, testing and monitoring. Fisher German's lead runs the AI Working Group, manages the Copilot licences and checks adoption against professional rules from RICS.
Typical pay from our ads
Of the 8 AI automation lead ads we have listed (posted between 23 Sep 2026 and 23 Oct 2026), 3 (38%) state pay. The 3 that give an annual salary range run from £50,000 to £80,000. With 3 annual salaries we show the range, not a median.
| Role | Employer | Location | Advertised pay | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI & Automation Lead | WWF-UK | Woking | £58,000 | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Automation and AI Analyst (12-month contract) | Global law firm (via Deerfoot Recruitment) | London | £50,000–£60,000 | 19 Oct 2026 |
| Business Systems Analyst – AI adoption | Employer via Spectrum IT Recruitment | Hampshire | £70,000–£80,000 | 2 Oct 2026 |
More pay data: salary benchmarks. Pay counts only when the ad states it.
What good ads include
- The pay. 5 of these 8 ads leave it out.
- Who the role reports to, and which teams it works with. 6 of the 8 ads don't give a reporting line.
- Which AI tools are approved, and what the person can change about them.
- How success will be measured in the first year.
- The contract (permanent or fixed term) and the office pattern.
- Whether any coding is needed. If it isn't, say so, so people from operations, HR and L&D know they can apply.
A job description you can adapt
Replace the text in square brackets. The structure follows the ads above; the wording is ours, so you can use it freely.
[Job title, for example AI Automation Lead]
About the role. [One or two sentences on what has happened so far, for example which AI tools you have and who uses them, and what this person will change.]
Reports to: [role and team]. Works with: [the teams named above that apply to you]. Contract: [permanent, or fixed term of X months]. Location: [office, hybrid pattern, days in the office].
Pay: £[x] to £[y] a year, plus [main benefits].
What you will do
- Map processes in [teams] and find the steps automation or AI could remove.
- Build workflows in [tools, for example Power Automate or Copilot Studio], or write requirements for [build team].
- Check each solution with [security and data protection] before it goes live.
- Track adoption and time saved, and report to [manager] every [month].
How we will measure success: [two or three measures for the first year, for example usage, time saved in named processes, or benefits signed off by finance].
What you will bring
- Process mapping and business analysis experience.
- Hands-on building in [tools, for example Power Automate, Copilot Studio or n8n].
- An understanding of data protection and human checks on AI output.
- [Say if no coding is needed.]
Next: how to hire an AI automation lead, including where the role sits, reporting lines and a first 90 days.
Advertise your AI automation lead role
List it on Second Wave AI Jobs. We link straight to your own ad, so applications come to you.
Free to post until 31 Jan 2027, then paid. Founding employers keep launch pricing.
Questions
What should an AI automation lead job description include?
What the role does, who it reports to, which teams it works with, which AI tools are involved, how success will be measured, the contract, the office pattern and the pay. Of the 8 UK AI automation lead ads we have listed, 3 state pay and 2 give a reporting line.
How much should we pay an AI automation lead?
Of the 8 AI automation lead ads we have listed (posted between 23 Sep 2026 and 23 Oct 2026), 3 (38%) state pay. The 3 that give an annual salary range run from £50,000 to £80,000. With 3 annual salaries we show the range, not a median.