Director, Automation and Process Optimization

Job Summary The Director of Automation and Process Optimization is responsible for defining and driving the organization’s enterprise automation and AI strategy. This role identifies and prioritizes high value automation opportunities, aligns DevOps delivery to business outcomes, and ensures measurable value realization. The role focuses on what and why, not hands-on implementation, and serves as the primary bridge between business leaders and engineering execution. Key Responsibilities Own the enterprise automation and process optimization strategy and roadmap. Partner with business leaders to identify, evaluate, and prioritize automation opportunities based on ROI and impact. Lead cross functional discovery to uncover inefficiencies and quantify business value. Provide leadership, direction, and accountability for the DevOps team, ensuring capacity is aligned to the highest value initiatives. Establish priorities that balance automation demand with platform stability, security, and reliability. Define and report success metrics for automation initiatives, including efficiency gains, adoption, and realized value. Champion automation first and AI assisted ways of working across the organization. Coordinate with training teams to ensure successful rollout and user adoption of automation solutions. Required Skills & Knowledge Strong understanding of enterprise automation, workflow optimization, and AI assisted solutions across IT and business operations Experience shaping and owning automation strategy and roadmaps tied to measurable business outcomes Ability to analyze operational data (e.g., ITSM, service desk, workflow metrics) to identify high impact opportunities Proven capability in prioritization and capacity planning across competing initiatives Familiarity with value measurement, ROI modeling, and adoption metrics for automation initiatives Strong business acumen with the ability to translate technical capabilities into clear business value narratives Behavioral Competencies Strategic thinker — focuses on long term impact, not tactical execution Outcome driven — prioritizes work based on measurable value and results Influential communicator — builds trust and alignment across technical and non-technical stakeholders Decisive and pragmatic — balances speed, risk, and stability in prioritization decisions Change leader — drives adoption and cultural shift toward automation first and AI assisted ways of working Experience & Qualifications 8+ years of experience in technology or automation. 3+ years in a people management and leadership capacity Demonstrated success driving enterprise scale automation initiatives with measurable business impact Experience partnering with senior business leaders to define priorities and justify investment decisions Background in environments requiring high reliability, security, and operational rigor Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience) Benefits of Working for Abacus: Exposure to diverse array of technologies Part of a team of experienced engineers who aim to deliver exceptional service Competitive compensation Performance bonus Robust benefits package: medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401k, and PTO Opportunities to further technical education through online courses Positive, friendly, supportive work environment