AI Data Operations Manager

About the role

You will own a meaningful slice of Figure's data collection operation in the UAE from day one, driving execution against volume, quality, and velocity targets for human data. You will build the operational systems and processes that source, activate, and retain a diverse global contributor base while coordinating closely with engineering and product teams. In this role, you will solve zero-to-one problems by establishing presence in new geographies and managing localization, partnerships, and community building. You will act as the connective tissue between field contributors and internal stakeholders, surfacing hardware and software friction and translating real-world feedback into actionable product improvements. You will own your category's data dashboard, tracking key metrics daily, identifying bottlenecks, and shipping fast operational fixes to keep data pipelines healthy. You will source, negotiate, and manage relationships with local partners, agencies, and vendors to accelerate growth and maintain quality standards. You will champion a 5 days/week in-office collaboration model to ensure tight alignment across the team and robust knowledge sharing.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Own contributor acquisition, activation, and retention strategy and execution for data collection in the UAE.
• Identify and launch in new geographies, managing localization, partnerships, and community building to establish regional presence.
• Coordinate with engineering, product, and operations to develop and integrate new hardware, software, and operational systems.
• Own your category's data dashboard, tracking volume, quality, and throughput metrics daily, identifying bottlenecks, and shipping operational fixes fast.
• Source, negotiate, and manage relationships with local partners, agencies, and vendors to accelerate growth and ensure scalability.
• Serve as the connective tissue between contributors and internal teams, surfacing hardware and software friction and translating field feedback into actionable improvements.
• Drive prioritization and execution on data operations initiatives in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Implement local playbooks and standard operating procedures to maintain consistency and quality across field operations.
• Monitor and optimize contributor workflows to reduce friction, increase session completion rates, and improve data quality.
• Align data collection targets with business objectives and product roadmaps to support timely decision-making.
• Lead root cause analysis for data quality issues and define corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with regional stakeholders to support partnership and growth initiatives.
• Track and report on operational health and performance, highlighting risks and opportunities to leadership.
• Support ad hoc projects and strategic initiatives that enable the scaling of human data operations globally.
• Maintain documentation of processes, decisions, and learnings to enable replication and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• 4+ years in investment banking, management consulting, corporate development, growth, or startup operations roles, ideally with exposure to a frontier technology business.
• Comfortable rapidly building and deploying apps and agents using AI coding tools, with no technical academic background necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to own outcomes and deliver results in ambiguous and fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Experience working across cultures or in international markets, with sensitivity to local norms and practices.
• Highly organized with strong project management instincts, comfortable managing multiple contributors, sessions, or sites simultaneously.
• A commitment to 5 days/week in-office collaboration at the Figure location in the UAE.
• Willingness to travel regionally as needed to support operations, partner visits, and contributor engagement.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage shifting priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Compliance with local employment regulations and eligibility to work in the United Arab Emirates.
• Adherence to Figure's policies, processes, and security standards in all operational activities.
• Readiness to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and support company-wide objectives.
• Capacity to manage complex logistics and coordination across field teams and vendors.

Nice to have

• Experience scaling consumer mobile applications or marketplace platforms.
• Background in AI/ML companies or understanding of data collection for machine learning.
• Prior experience in emerging markets or with distributed workforces.
• Fluency in Arabic.
• Experience managing physical-world operations, such as events, field crews, and hardware logistics, in addition to digital platforms.

Practical notes

The role is based in the United Arab Emirates and requires 5 days/week in-office collaboration at the local Figure location. Travel within the region may be required to support operations, partner engagements, and contributor activities. Candidates must be eligible to work in the UAE and comply with local employment and visa requirements.