AI Manager

freeC's Client

1. AI Technical Leadership

• Lead the architecture, design, and development of scalable AI solutions for international clients.
• Provide strong technical direction in at least one AI specialization: GenAI/LLM/RAG/AI Agents or Machine Learning/Computer Vision. Expertise in both areas is welcome but not required.
• Evaluate technical feasibility, select appropriate AI technologies, and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Review solution architectures, technical proposals, and implementation approaches.
• Establish technical standards and ensure the quality and scalability of AI solutions.

2. Team Building & Management

• Lead and develop an established AI team of approximately 5–7 members, with a mandate to scale the team over time.
• Own team structure, recruitment strategy, workforce planning, succession and capability development.
• Manage team performance, resource allocation, operating costs and effective collaboration across projects.
• Mentor AI Engineers and strengthen the team's technical expertise and delivery capabilities.
• Establish technical best practices and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Define a long-term AI team growth plan and capability roadmap aligned with business opportunities.

3. Technical Presales & Project Bidding

• Collaborate with Sales and Business Development teams to identify AI business opportunities.
• Lead technical presales activities, including requirement analysis, solution consulting, technical proposals, and effort estimation.
• Participate in project bidding, RFP/RFI responses, and technical presentations.
• Translate client business requirements into feasible AI solutions, project scopes, and delivery plans.
• Evaluate project feasibility, resources, risks, and estimated costs.
• Present and defend proposed AI solutions directly to international clients.
• Contribute to project acquisition, commercially viable solution proposals, and cost-effective bidding decisions.

4. Project Delivery & Stakeholder Management

• Oversee the technical execution and delivery quality of AI projects.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and engineering teams to address technical risks and delivery challenges.
• Ensure alignment between proposed solutions, client expectations, and actual implementation.
• Provide technical guidance throughout the project lifecycle.

5. AI Division Planning & Business Management

• Develop AI capability and team expansion plans in line with the organization's growth direction.
• Take ownership of people planning, resource capacity, operational costs, and efficient resource utilization.
• Partner with senior leadership and Sales/BD on the AI service roadmap, commercial opportunities, and delivery feasibility.
• Report progress, risks, team performance, and development plans directly to the CEO.

Job Requirements

1. Technical Experience

• 8+ years of experience in Software Engineering, AI/ML Engineering, or related technical fields.
• At least 4 years of hands-on experience in AI/ML Engineering, AI Solution Development, or AI Technical Architecture.
• Strong technical expertise in AI/ML with practical experience in designing, developing, or deploying AI solutions.
• Deep practical expertise in either GenAI/LLM/RAG/AI Agents or ML/Computer Vision; experience across both streams is an advantage, not a requirement.
• Ability to independently evaluate technical requirements, design solution architectures, and provide technical guidance to engineering teams.

2. Leadership & Team Management

• At least 2 years of technical leadership or management experience, preferably within AI/ML or related engineering teams.
• Proven experience in people management, resource planning, cost control, performance management, and technical mentoring.
• Ability to lead an established 5–7-person AI team and develop a realistic team-scaling and capability-building plan.
• Strong ownership, decision-making, and cross-functional leadership skills.

3. Technical Presales & Bidding

• Proven experience in technical presales, AI solution consulting, project estimation, proposal development, or project bidding.
• Ability to translate business requirements into practical, scalable, and commercially viable AI solutions.
• Experience collaborating with Sales/BD teams and participating in technical discussions with clients.
• Strong business acumen with experience in project feasibility, delivery cost estimation, resource planning, and commercial trade-offs.
• Ability to build AI team development plans and collaborate with management on business expansion.

4. Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Fluent English communication skills, with the ability to independently lead technical discussions, present solutions, and communicate with international clients.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to balance technical excellence, delivery quality, and business objectives.

Preferred

• Experience as an AI Manager, Head of AI, AI Technical Manager, or AI Solution Architect with team management responsibilities.
• Background in IT Outsourcing, AI Consulting, Software Development Services, or technology service companies.
• Track record of scaling technical teams, managing operational budgets, or developing AI service offerings.
• Experience supporting successful AI project bidding and business development activities.
• Experience working with clients from the US, Europe, Japan, or other international markets.

Important: This position requires a strong AI technical foundation. Candidates with a purely Project Management or Delivery Management background, without hands-on AI technical experience, will not be considered suitable.

• Opportunity to take ownership of AI technical strategy and team development.
• Direct reporting line to the CEO and the opportunity to develop toward AI Division Leadership.
• Leadership responsibility for an existing AI team, with scope to scale its size and capabilities.
• Direct involvement in AI solution consulting, presales, and international client engagement.
• Exposure to diverse AI projects across multiple industries.
• Opportunities to shape AI capabilities and contribute to business growth.
• Competitive compensation and benefits based on experience and capabilities.