Head of Autonomous Delivery Technology - Robotics

Role purpose

We are seeking an experienced technology leader to shape and deliver the next generation of automated, technology-enabled physical operations. The role focuses on improving the speed, reliability and cost-effectiveness of time-sensitive, distributed services by connecting autonomous equipment, connected devices and human-operated workflows into a coordinated operating model.

You will set the technical and operational direction, oversee the introduction and expansion of physical technology solutions, and ensure that automation delivers practical value in complex, real-world environments. Success requires a combination of strategic leadership, technical judgement, deployment experience and commercial accountability.

Key areas of responsibility

1. Autonomous systems and distributed operations

• Define the strategy for deploying autonomous equipment across complex operating environments, including the use of remotely operated or automated systems where appropriate.
• Lead the assessment and development of operating procedures, safety controls, infrastructure requirements and contingency arrangements for autonomous operations.
• Establish appropriate approaches to fleet coordination, asset monitoring, operational planning and exception handling.
• Assess the suitability of different hardware, infrastructure and service-provider options, balancing performance, reliability, implementation complexity and long-term cost.
• Work with relevant external parties to address operational constraints, safety expectations and approval requirements.

2. Robotics and automated on-site workflows

• Direct the deployment of mobile robotic systems and related infrastructure in buildings and other constrained environments.
• Oversee the integration of navigation, mapping, access controls, movement coordination and obstacle management into practical operating workflows.
• Lead site assessments, implementation planning, pilot deployments and subsequent expansion across multiple locations.
• Establish performance measures covering availability, task completion, service reliability, maintenance requirements and overall cost of ownership.
• Evaluate technology providers and alternative technical approaches, using operational evidence to guide investment and deployment decisions.

3. Connected devices and operational automation

• Develop the approach to using connected hardware and automated data capture to reduce manual intervention and improve the timeliness and accuracy of operational information.
• Oversee the integration of sensors, edge devices, communications infrastructure and software platforms into end-to-end operating processes.
• Ensure that device fleets can be monitored and maintained effectively, with suitable arrangements for software updates, fault detection, remote diagnosis and lifecycle support.
• Lead the evaluation and implementation of physical technology across distributed operating sites, including installation planning, onboarding, training and ongoing support.
• Improve the quality and availability of real-time operational signals so that planning, resource allocation and task execution can respond to changing conditions.

4. Integrated operating model

• Bring together automated systems, connected equipment and human-operated activities into a coherent service model.
• Address the practical challenges that arise when work transfers between people, machines and different operating stages.
• Ensure that information from physical equipment feeds into relevant planning and coordination systems, supporting effective allocation of resources and timely execution.
• Identify process bottlenecks, recurring failures and unnecessary manual steps, then lead improvements across the full operational workflow rather than optimising individual technologies in isolation.
• Establish clear operating standards, escalation procedures and feedback loops to support consistent performance as deployments grow.

5. Strategy, commercial performance and delivery

• Translate business objectives into a prioritised technology roadmap, with clear investment choices, implementation milestones and measurable outcomes.
• Build business cases for equipment, infrastructure and software investments, assessing upfront expenditure, ongoing operating costs, utilisation, maintenance and expected returns.
• Monitor the commercial performance of deployed solutions, including productivity, service quality, asset availability and cost efficiency.
• Where applicable, take ownership of financial performance across technology-led operational initiatives, including investment planning and the economics of scaling.
• Establish appropriate governance for pilots and wider rollouts, ensuring that expansion decisions are informed by demonstrated results.
• Develop productive relationships with technology suppliers, site operators, infrastructure partners and relevant external authorities.

Candidate profile

Essential experience

• Significant professional experience leading technology-enabled operations, robotics, connected hardware or complex hardware-software integration.
• Substantial leadership experience, including responsibility for setting direction, managing delivery and influencing decisions across multiple functions.
• A track record of taking physical technology from technical assessment and early-stage trials through deployment, operational adoption and expansion.
• Experience working with autonomous equipment, distributed device networks or comparable systems that must operate reliably outside controlled laboratory environments.
• Strong understanding of how physical equipment, software platforms, communications infrastructure and operational processes interact.
• Experience evaluating technical suppliers and translating competing technology options into sound implementation and investment decisions.
• Evidence of improving operational performance through automation, better coordination, increased reliability or reduced manual effort.
• Commercial judgement, including the ability to assess investment requirements, ongoing costs, productivity benefits and the financial sustainability of technology deployments.
• Experience managing complex implementation programmes involving internal stakeholders and external organisations.

Technical and functional capabilities

Systems architecture and integration

• Ability to assess end-to-end architectures spanning physical devices, control and coordination platforms, operational data flows and business systems.
• Working knowledge of fleet coordination, device connectivity, real-time monitoring and the integration of automated events into operational workflows.
• Ability to assess the trade-offs between alternative technical approaches, including scalability, resilience, maintainability and implementation cost.

Autonomous technology and operational safety

• Understanding of autonomous-system deployment, operational risk assessment, safety management and contingency planning.
• Familiarity with the practical considerations involved in deploying automated equipment in busy, shared or otherwise constrained environments.
• Ability to assess the infrastructure, operating procedures and external approvals needed to support safe and dependable operations.

Robotics and physical deployment

• Understanding of mobile robotics, navigation, mapping, obstacle avoidance and coordination across multiple devices.
• Experience assessing access constraints, site readiness, equipment availability, maintenance needs and the practical limitations of real-world deployments.
• Ability to compare supplier solutions using evidence of performance, reliability, serviceability and lifecycle cost.

Connected hardware and device management

• Understanding of sensor-based systems, embedded or edge computing, wireless communications and the movement of device data into central platforms.
• Familiarity with large-scale device administration, remote software updates, health monitoring, fault alerts and maintenance processes.
• Experience evaluating automated detection or status-reporting solutions, including their accuracy, installation requirements, failure modes and ongoing support costs.

Operational execution and commercial management

• Ability to convert technical capabilities into workable processes, measurable service improvements and scalable operating practices.
• Experience establishing performance indicators, reviewing operational evidence and resolving issues that affect reliability, throughput or cost.
• Strong understanding of investment appraisal, operating expenditure, asset utilisation and the relationship between technology performance and financial outcomes.

Leadership and stakeholder management

• Able to communicate complex technical and operational trade-offs clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Skilled at aligning engineering, operations, commercial and other relevant functions around shared priorities.
• Comfortable influencing external stakeholders whose cooperation is necessary for implementation, access, safety or operational approval.
• Practical and delivery-focused, with the judgement to distinguish promising demonstrations from solutions that can be supported reliably at scale.
• Effective in environments where requirements evolve and success depends on coordinating multiple technologies, suppliers and operating processes.

Additional strengths

The following would be advantageous:

• Direct accountability for the financial performance of capital-intensive technology or automation initiatives.
• Experience managing the economics of mixed human-and-automated operating models.
• Experience taking connected physical products from initial evaluation to broad operational adoption.
• Exposure to regulated or safety-sensitive operating environments and the associated governance requirements.
• Experience establishing repeatable deployment methods across multiple sites or geographically distributed operations.

What success looks like

Success in this position will be demonstrated through:

• A clear, prioritised roadmap for technology adoption and operational improvement.
• Reliable integration of equipment, software and human activities into cohesive workflows.
• Successful deployment and expansion of physical technology, supported by effective implementation and maintenance practices.
• Reduced manual intervention, fewer avoidable delays and improved operational consistency.
• Measurable improvements in asset utilisation, service reliability, productivity and cost efficiency.
• Investment decisions supported by credible business cases and evidence of sustainable operating economics.
• Strong working relationships with internal functions, technology providers and external stakeholders.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who can connect technology strategy with operational execution and build systems that deliver measurable results in complex physical environments.

Application:

• Apply to this job posting, and send your CV with the job title as the subject line to: [Confidential Information] & https://www.linkedin.com/in/treasa-wong/