Project Manager, AI

Role Description

The Project Manager, AI is responsible for driving cross‑functional execution across a rapidly growing AI product portfolio. This role ensures accountability for deliverables, maintains clear and consistent communication, and proactively fosters collaboration across product, engineering, data science, design, client-facing functions, and business operations. The ideal candidate excels in a startup‑like, under‑resourced environment where ambiguity is high, processes are evolving, and team members are expected to figure things out rather than trade scope or schedule.

This is not a Scrum Master role, though experience with Agile practices is helpful. This is a senior‑level execution leadership role for someone with a bias toward action, who thrives in ambiguity, gets things done without waiting for permission to act, and is fully comfortable coloring outside the lines to drive outcomes. Everyday use of AI tools for productivity, planning, communication, and analysis is expected.

Responsibilities

• Project Execution & Delivery
  • Creates and maintains detailed project schedules, including activities, dependencies, effort, duration, and resource requirements, across multiple simultaneous AI projects.
  • Tracks deliverables, action items, risks, decisions, and dependencies, ensuring owners follow through and projects stay on track.
  • Establishes mechanisms for predictable, consistent status reporting to leadership and stakeholders.
  • Challenges teams when commitments slip and takes appropriate action to unblock progress.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Works closely with product management, engineering, data science, UX, QA, security, compliance, and operations to ensure aligned execution.
  • Facilitates collaboration across functions, driving clarity in roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
  • Identifies cross-team gaps and takes proactive steps to close them.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management
  • Communicates clearly, appropriately, and effectively across all levels of the organization.
  • Ensures leaders and stakeholders have timely, accurate visibility into progress, issues, and risks.
  • Sets expectations that reflect both internal constraints and evolving AI product requirements.
• Problem Solving in High-Ambiguity Environments
  • Operates with ownership and initiative in an environment where processes may be incomplete or undefined.
  • Anticipates challenges and proactively mitigates risks.
  • Displays an entrepreneurial mindset, creating structure where none exists and balancing speed with discipline.
• Use of AI & Productivity Tools
  • Uses AI tools daily for drafting, planning, research, communication, risk tracking, and analytical work.
  • (Preferred) Orchestrates AI workflows, applying LLM-based copilots or automation tools to improve consistency, speed, and quality of project operations.
• Team Culture & Best Practices
  • Contributes to the development of project management best practices tailored for AI product development.
  • Helps build a positive, high‑accountability, results-focused culture within the AI product organization.
  • Provides coaching and influence to reinforce urgency, ownership, and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent PMI certification (required)
• 3-7 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, program management, or related roles
• Experience delivering projects involving cross‑functional teams, tight timelines, and evolving requirements
• Demonstrated experience owning execution in high‑ambiguity, high‑pressure environments
• Experience working with engineering and product teams; familiarity with Agile practices preferred but not required

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Proven ability to hold teams accountable while building strong, cooperative relationships
• Strong communication (written and verbal), interpersonal, and stakeholder‑management skills
• Ability to quickly confront and resolve unexpected problems
• Strong competencies in scheduling, organization, prioritization, and planning
• Experience with JIRA, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Confluence, Miro, or equivalent tools
• Experience working with analytics or dashboard tools (e.g., Power BI, Domo) is a plus
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel
• Demonstrated, verifiable use of AI productivity tools in daily workflow

Preferred Attributes

• Bias toward action
• Thrives in ambiguity
• Gets things done without waiting for permission to act
• Comfortable coloring outside the lines / entrepreneurial mindset
• High personal initiative and ownership
• Excellent judgment and escalation awareness
• Ability to drive outcomes even when resources are limited or dependencies are unclear