AI & Automation Associate

MCS GROUP
AI & AUTOMATION
ASSOCIATE 12-month paid internship with the potential to progress into a permanent role

Location: Belfast

Contract: 12-month paid internship

Reporting to: Group Head of Operations

Role purpose

The AI & Automation Associate will help make MCS Group a more productive and commercially effective business through the practical application of artificial intelligence and automation.
This is not a research role or a mandate to introduce technology for its own sake. The focus is on understanding how work is done, identifying high-value opportunities and delivering solutions that employees will use.
The role will work across MCS Group, with an immediate emphasis on commercial effectiveness and recruiter productivity.

Key responsibilities

Workflow analysis and opportunity identification

• Map key workflows across recruitment, sales and business support functions.
• Identify bottlenecks, repetitive activities and opportunities to improve productivity, quality or commercial performance.
• Engage with recruiters, managers and support teams to understand their needs and working practices.
• Identify data quality, accessibility and governance issues that may affect the success of AI and automation initiatives.
• Assess and prioritise potential use cases according to business impact, feasibility, cost and risk.
• Maintain a clear pipeline of AI and automation opportunities.

Solution development and implementation

• Design, build, test and implement practical AI and automation solutions.
• Evaluate build, buy and partner options for each use case, recommending the most effective and sustainable approach.
• Develop prototypes quickly and improve them through user feedback.
• Integrate solutions into existing systems and working practices where appropriate.
• Work with the internal IT Analyst and external technology providers where specialist support is required.
• Create clear documentation and training materials to support adoption.
• Monitor usage and address barriers that prevent solutions from becoming embedded.

Commercial impact and measurement

• Define measurable outcomes for each initiative before development begins.
• Track time savings, adoption, productivity improvements and commercial impact.
• Prioritise initiatives that support recruiter capacity, sales activity, service quality and revenue generation.
• Review existing and proposed tools critically, recommending against investment where the value case is weak.
• Report regularly on progress, results, lessons and future opportunities.

Governance and capability building

• Work directly with senior leadership to develop MCS Group's AI strategy and establish the operating guardrails required to manage risk and support responsible adoption.
• Ensure solutions are developed and used responsibly, with appropriate consideration of data protection, information security, accuracy and bias.
• Maintain awareness of emerging AI technologies, assessing their practical relevance and business value before recommending adoption.
• Promote disciplined use of AI across the business.
• Ensure AI solutions remain commercially viable at scale by monitoring operating costs, challenging unnecessary model usage and assessing opportunities to reduce long-term vendor lock-in.
• Minimise unnecessary complexity, duplication of systems and technical debt across the organisation.
• Help establish the processes, knowledge and technical foundations required to build an effective in-house AI capability.

Measures of success

First 90 days

• Develop a strong understanding of MCS Group's business model, systems and operational priorities.
• Map the key workflows within the initial areas of focus.
• Identify and prioritise a credible pipeline of high-impact AI and automation opportunities.
• Establish baseline measures against which improvements can be assessed.
• Begin testing or implementing the first priority solutions.

By six months

• Have multiple AI or automation solutions live within the business.
• Demonstrate measurable time savings or process improvements.
• Achieve meaningful adoption among the intended users.
• Establish a repeatable approach to identifying, assessing and delivering new use cases.

By twelve months

• Recruiters and other users can credibly attribute productivity improvements to the solutions delivered.
• Demonstrate visible commercial or operational impact.
• Establish a prioritised roadmap for the next stage of AI and automation development.
• Put in place the foundations for sustainable in-house AI capability.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Education and technical capability

• A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in artificial intelligence, software engineering, computer science, data science or a closely related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• A sound understanding of generative AI, automation, APIs and modern software development principles.
• The ability to build and deploy practical solutions using appropriate programming, low-code or automation tools, if appropriate.
• The ability to work with structured and unstructured data.
• An understanding of the importance of data protection, information security and responsible AI use.

Skills and experience

• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.
• The ability to map processes and translate business problems into workable technical solutions.
• A practical, delivery-focused approach, with the ability to move from idea to implementation.
• The ability to evaluate competing tools and approaches objectively.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical colleagues.
• The ability to engage and influence people without relying on formal authority.
• Strong organisation and project management skills.
• The ability to measure whether a solution has delivered its intended outcome.

Personal qualities

• Commercially curious and interested in how businesses operate.
• Focused on outcomes rather than technology for its own sake.
• Comfortable challenging assumptions and saying no to low-value ideas or fashionable tools.
• Resourceful, self-directed and willing to learn.
• Cost-conscious and alert to the risks of unnecessary expenditure or supplier lock-in.
• Collaborative and receptive to feedback.
• Persistent in driving adoption and following initiatives through to measurable results.
• Comfortable working in an environment where priorities may evolve as the business learns what delivers the greatest value.

Desirable criteria

• Experience gained through an internship, placement, university project or personal portfolio involving AI or automation.
• Experience of developing solutions using generative AI models, APIs, workflow automation platforms or low-code tools.
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365, including Power Platform, Power Automate, Copilot or Azure services.
• Experience of user research, workflow mapping or process improvement.
• Evidence of having taken a technical solution from concept through to practical use.

Career opportunity

This role provides an opportunity to work directly with senior leadership and gain broad exposure to the commercial and operational workings of MCS Group.

The initial appointment will be a 12-month paid internship. Subject to individual performance, the value demonstrated by the role and the future needs of the business, there may be an opportunity to progress into a permanent position and contribute to the development of MCS Group's in-house AI and automation capability.

Visit www.mcsgroup.jobs to view our current opportunities.

MCS Group is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us and we will endeavour to facilitate your request.