Program Manager – Technology & AI Programs

About the Role

Academian is seeking an experienced, results-driven Program Manager (6 months contract) to lead complex, multi-team technology programs from initiation through delivery. The ideal candidate will drive program planning, governance, execution, and stakeholder engagement across distributed onshore and offshore teams, including initiatives involving AI/ML, Python-based solutions, and open-source technologies.

This role requires a strong combination of strategic program leadership, data-driven decision-making, risk management, and technical understanding to ensure successful delivery within agreed timelines, budgets, and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning and delivery of multiple related technology projects, managing scope, schedules, budgets, and resources.
• Develop program roadmaps, milestones, KPIs, and success criteria aligned with business objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior stakeholders, providing transparent, data-driven status reports and executive-level updates.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, issues, dependencies, and delivery challenges.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, data/AI, QA, product, and other business functions.
• Manage collaboration across US-based onshore and offshore delivery teams.
• Establish and continuously improve program governance, delivery processes, and Agile, Scrum, SAFe, or hybrid methodologies.
• Oversee change requests, vendor coordination, resource allocation, and contractual deliverables, as applicable.
• Monitor program performance through delivery metrics, dashboards, and regular reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement through retrospectives, lessons learned, and process optimization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of overall IT experience, including at least 5 years managing technology programs or multiple concurrent projects.
• Demonstrated success delivering complex technology programs involving distributed, onshore/offshore teams.
• Strong stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills, including experience presenting to executive audiences.
• Data-driven approach to program planning, performance reporting, forecasting, and decision-making.
• Strong knowledge of Agile methodologies, including Scrum and SAFe, as well as traditional or hybrid delivery approaches.
• Hands-on experience with program budgeting, resource planning, risk management, and dependency tracking.
• Technical understanding of AI/ML solutions and Python-based applications sufficient to collaborate effectively with engineering and technical teams.
• Experience using program and project management tools such as Jira, Confluence, MS Project, or equivalent platforms.
• Experience with reporting and analytics tools such as Advanced Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or similar solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP, PgMP, PRINCE2, SAFe, or equivalent program/project management certification.
• Experience delivering AI/ML, data engineering, or data platform initiatives.
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Experience managing cloud migration or modernization programs.
• Familiarity with OpenStack and open-source infrastructure technologies.
• Experience in education, EdTech, or digital transformation programs.

Work Environment

• Remote work environment with collaboration across US-based onshore and offshore teams.
• Regular stakeholder meetings, steering committee updates, and program reviews.
• Cross-functional collaboration with technical, product, and business teams.

Why Join Academian?

Join Academian to lead impactful technology programs, collaborate with distributed teams, and contribute to innovative initiatives involving AI, data, and modern technology platforms.

Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Location:

• Remote (Preferred)

Work Location: Remote