RAJESH DUDALA
Brentwood,United Kingdom
Summary
Strategic leader specialising in enterprise AI strategy, generative AI scaling, and responsible adoption frameworks. Expertise in API-first and microservices architecture, intelligent automation, and advanced analytics drives data-driven decision-making and measurable ROI. Proficient in Salesforce ecosystem optimisation, process intelligence, and agile delivery models to enable cross-functional transformation. Adept at engaging executive stakeholders and leading enterprise change management initiatives to achieve sustainable outcomes. Committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for impactful business transformation.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work history
Group Head of Business Analysis & AI Lead
Kaplan International Languages
City Of London, City of London
2020.04 - Current
- Defined and executed the organisation’s AI strategy, establishing governance, delivery frameworks and a roadmap for responsible AI adoption across sales, marketing, operations and customer service.
- Led the design and deployment of enterprise AI solutions, including conversational AI agents, intelligent automation and customer engagement platforms integrated with Salesforce and cloud ecosystems.
- Established and chaired the AI Centre of Excellence, driving innovation, vendor selection, proof-of-concepts, business case development and continuous improvement initiatives.
- As Group Head of Business Analysis, led a multi-disciplinary team responsible for business analysis standards, requirements management, process improvement and solution design across strategic transformation programmes.
- Partnered with executive stakeholders to shape technology strategy, define target operating models, prioritise investment initiatives and align business objectives with technology roadmaps.
- Directed enterprise-wide discovery, business process mapping and stakeholder engagement activities, ensuring solutions delivered measurable business value and supported organisational growth.
- Provided leadership across complex transformation programmes spanning CRM, marketing, customer experience, operations, data and AI, balancing strategic objectives with delivery execution.
- Translated emerging technologies and business opportunities into actionable initiatives, delivering operational efficiencies, enhanced customer experiences and sustainable business outcomes.
Financial Services & B2B Business Architect Major Transformations
Countrywide
Milton Keynes
2019.03 - 2020.01
- Supported delivery of multi-million-pound IT operating model transformation across 4 business units (Financial Services, Surveying, Conveyancing and Corporate Property), replacing legacy supplier arrangements with consolidated technology and service ecosystem.
- Conducted capability assessments across 20+ suppliers and business stakeholders, contributing to vendor selection, application rationalisation and future-state operating model design.
- Led requirements gathering and analysis across 3 major programme workstreams (Core Services, Migration and Unstructured Data), ensuring business-specific requirements were captured and incorporated into solution design and migration planning.
- Produced and coordinated 30+ governance, risk and compliance artefacts, including GDPR, DPIA, BIA, IRA, CSA and Security Control Assessments, supporting programme approval and regulatory compliance.
- Facilitated workshops with senior stakeholders across multiple business functions, reducing requirements ambiguity and accelerating decision-making throughout programme delivery.
Lead Business Analyst
Larkbury London
City Of London, City of London
2017.08 - 2019.03
- Lead Time Reduction: Delivered SAP localisation for Portugal manufacturing operations, reducing lead times by 25%+ and increasing production throughput.
- Business Continuity Improvement: Successfully upgraded SAP ERP, removing major business continuity risk affecting critical manufacturing and operational processes.
- Business Intelligence Enablement: Built enterprise reporting and data warehouse solutions, transforming operational data into actionable management insights.
- International ERP Delivery: Implemented SAP capabilities across 3 manufacturing facilities in 2 countries, supporting standardised business processes and improved operational control.
Senior Project Manager
Gap
City Of London, City of London
2014.04 - 2017.07
- Implemented business capability model, boosting Franchise Gap sales by $4M with 3% traffic increase.
- Managed visual merchandising app roll-out in Europe, Japan, and China, saving $320k annually.
- Enhanced partner data access, increasing sell-through by 1%, generating $8M/year in margin.
- Initiated Design for Operations (DFO), reducing project transition time from 2 months to 1 week.
- Developed governance framework for project oversight now used franchise-wide.
- Defined stakeholder engagement strategy aligning with Gap Franchise's vision and goals.
- Delivered successful project outcomes by directing team activities and facilitating communication.
IT Project Manager
Liv-ex
City Of London, City of London
2010.01 - 2014.01
- Lead Business Analyst at the world's largest fine wine trading exchange, leading end-to-end technology delivery across infrastructure, trading platforms, and enterprise systems.
- Managed complex transformation initiatives including relaunch of bespoke electronic trading platform supporting global buyers and merchants.
- Held infrastructure modernization programs including migration from physical Windows and Red Hat servers to virtualized environments on Rackspace private cloud and Amazon EC2, strengthening resilience, scalability, and disaster recovery capability.
- Implemented CDN architecture and established CI/CD pipelines to improve deployment velocity and application stability.
- Managed and mentored IT and Business Analysis resources while ensuring alignment between commercial operations and technical delivery.
Early Career
Microsoft
Chennai, India
2005.01 - 2010.01
- Held operational leadership roles within Microsoft application support environments, managing teams of 15-18 engineers.
- Oversaw incident management, SLA performance, and structured service governance frameworks.
- Began career in web development, contributing to front-end engineering, digital campaign delivery, and technical documentation.
- Established strong technical foundation that underpins later transformation leadership.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
- Offered friendly, efficient customer service and handled challenging situations with ease.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering - Computer Science
Anna University
Chennai 1 2001 - 1 2005
Skills
- Enterprise AI Strategy & Enablement
- Generative AI Use Case Identification & Scaling
- AI Governance & Responsible Adoption
- API-First & Microservices Architecture
- Intelligent Automation (Power Automate & CRM Orchestration)
- Value Realisation & ROI Modelling
- Data-Driven Decision Making & Advanced Analytics
- Salesforce Ecosystem
- Process Intelligence & Optimisation (BPMN, UML)
- Agile & Hybrid Delivery Models
- Executive Stakeholder Engagement (CXO / Board Level)
- Cross-Functional Transformation Leadership
- Enterprise Change Management
- Technical Data Analysis (SQL, SOQL, JQL)
LANGUAGES
English - Proficient
Telugu - Native
Hindi - Proficient
Tamil - Advanced
INTERESTS
Astronomy and stargazing, Golf (developing enthusiast), Cricket
Accomplishments
- Generated £500k-£750k recurring annual revenue by leading the rollout of Local Currency Billing across international student markets.
- Increased operational productivity by 50%+ through the implementation of AI-powered automation and conversational AI solutions.
- Delivered a strategic Partner Sales Platform that achieved payback within 12 months while reducing operating costs and improving business efficiency.
- Recognised with AI Initiative of the Quarter award for delivering innovative AI solutions with measurable business impact.
- Awarded Employee of the Month multiple times for outstanding contribution to business transformation and technology innovation.
Timeline
Group Head of Business Analysis & AI Lead
Kaplan International Languages
2020.04 - Current
Financial Services & B2B Business Architect Major Transformations
Countrywide
2019.03 - 2020.01
Lead Business Analyst
Larkbury London
2017.08 - 2019.03
Senior Project Manager
Gap
2014.04 - 2017.07
IT Project Manager
Liv-ex
2010.01 - 2014.01
Early Career
Microsoft
2005.01 - 2010.01
Bachelor of Engineering - Computer Science
Anna University
1 2001 - 1 2005