Vacancy: CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Company Profile

We are Aya Data, we provide data labelling services to companies with machine learning (ML) projects to enable them to train their ML models. Much like how a human being learns from seeing and reading, Artificial Intelligence learns from visual and text data. The more data it interacts with the better it can achieve its function. However, this data must be prepared in the correct way (labelled) before it can be used to train AI.

Job Description

We’re looking for an experienced CTO to drive the development of a world-class Data Science team in Ghana, with a remit to develop AI products that solve the hardest problems in Africa and globally.

You'll be working directly with the executive team, and initially managing a team of 3-5 experienced data scientists, a data engineer, and several product managers – with access to over 100 data collectors, annotators, and analysts.

Your job will be to build a leading edge technology function by attracting, retaining, and training the best talent, whilst delivering a variety of complex AI solutions to our client base.



Our Mission and Vision

Our vision is to become a global center of AI excellence, serving the global market with a suite of leading AI solutions in our chosen verticals, and using AI to solve some of the toughest issues on the African continent.



How can we compete with global players? We operate across the entire value chain from data collection to annotation to data science. This means no outsourcing, no friction, and a hard-to-replicate ability to build and deploy bespoke AI solutions more profitably, flexibly, and ethically than non-vertically integrated competitors.



We have recently developed our first product suite in Geospatial AI – using remote sensing data (drone + satellite) + AI to create transformational efficiencies in farms, forestry, and climate projects. We can already count major enterprises like Unilever amongst our clients and are engaging with many of the largest companies in agriculture and forestry.



Critically, our mission is not only to build and scale AI products but to create high-level capability locally in Africa, this is essential to our impact and to ensure we can scale as effectively as possible.



Your Mission

Build a technical team that can consistently deliver commercial-scale AI solutions to a broad range of clients, covering Computer Vision and Natural Language use cases.



Whilst advanced technical knowledge is essential, your role will be in building and leading a technical team and applying a commercial as well as an academic mindset to our clients' problems.

What You'll Be Working On

• Technical Strategy: Develop and implement the company's technical vision, roadmap, and strategy to ensure the company stays ahead of the competition and delivers value to its clients.


• Research and Development: Drive the development of new AI-based products and services, and oversee the research and development efforts of the company.


• Technology Evaluation and Adoption: Evaluate and adopt new AI technologies and tools that can enhance the company's offerings and capabilities.


• Team Management: Build, manage, and mentor a team of AI engineers and data scientists, and collaborate with other departments to ensure successful delivery of projects.


• Quality Control: Ensure that the company's AI solutions are of the highest quality, meet customer requirements, and comply with relevant laws and regulations.


• Innovation: Encourage innovation within the company and help it to stay at the forefront of technological advancements in the AI industry.


• Customer Engagement: Engage with clients to understand their needs and help the company to tailor its AI solutions to meet their requirements.


• Thought Leadership: Represent the company as a thought leader in the AI industry, speaking at conferences and events, and publishing articles and research papers.

Required Skills or Experience

• 3-5 years working as a technical lead in the Data Science / AI industry


• Deep understanding of AI technologies, data science, machine learning, and software engineering, as well as experience working with large datasets, cloud infrastructure, and big data tools.


• Experience leading technical teams and managing complex projects, as well as experience recruiting and developing talent.


• Strong understanding of the business value of AI solutions and ability to align technical strategy with a client's business goals.


• Excellent communicator and collaborator, able to work with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and able to explain technical concepts to clients and business leaders.


• Obsessed with the AI industry and able to stay up-to-date with the rapid evolution of technologies, and best practices.


• Self-starter who thrives on autonomy enjoys a rapid pace, and wants to make a difference


• Internal experience is a PLUS

Preferred

• Our primary product suite is computer vision and remote sensing based, a deep understanding of developing solutions with 3D / LiDAR point cloud data sets is preferred – though this can be learned.

How we partner with you

? Competitive salary + equity options + accommodation (if you’re moving to Ghana)

? Flexible working - we're serious about life-work balance

? 25 days of holidays in a year

? Pension contributions