Program Manager, Digital, Data Products & AI Center of Excellence (Hybrid) Plymouth, MN

Role: Program Manager, Digital Data Products & AI Center of Excellence

Location: Plymouth MN (Only local candidates), In person interview

1. Role Overview

We are seeking a seasoned Program Manager contractor to drive execution and delivery rigor for initiatives under Digital AI Center of Excellence (AICoE) & Data Products.

This role is not looking for an AI expert. The priority is a strong, structured Program Manager who excels at setting up programs, managing interdependencies, enforcing delivery discipline, and keeping complex, cross functional work moving forward.

Success in this role depends on program leadership, execution discipline, stakeholder coordination, and governance, rather than hands on AI or data science experience.

2. Operating Environment (Critical Context)

• Drive AiCoE Program Management across use cases from all domains, providing governance, catalogue domain themes, visibility for AI and data use cases while identifying common themes across DAA to drive innovation, reuse, and AI maturity

• Drive Data Products Program Management across Value Streams (currently 4) to increase value potential within and across value streams in partnership with Product Managers.

• The AI COE is a cross Digital program coordinating work across multiple teams and functions
• Work includes:

  • Program setup and foundational enablement

  • Tracking multiple initiatives and use cases across value streams

  • Coordinating dependencies across IT, Digital, business, security, and governance partners

  • Agile methodology expert who can also run a program

• The environment is evolving, with increasing demand for structure, transparency, and predictable execution

• The Program Manager will operate across:

  • Program level planning and governance

  • Select project level execution tasks, as needed

3. Scope of Work / Responsibilities

The Program Manager will:

• Provide program level leadership and oversight for initiatives aligned to Data & AI Products

• Lead cross functional teams and manage interdependencies across:

  • Digital delivery teams

  • IT and platform teams

  • Business stakeholders

  • Security, risk, and governance partners

• Define and maintain:

  • Integrated program plans and schedules

  • Risk and issue management frameworks

  • Change control and dependency management processes

• Drive program setup and foundational activities, ensuring repeatable structures are in place

• Track initiative and use case progression across defined value streams

• Own timeline management, milestone tracking, and delivery coordination

• Drive program governance, including:

  • Executive and stakeholder reporting

  • Metrics based performance tracking

  • Steering committee materials and updates

• Identify, manage, and escalate risks and issues proactively to avoid delivery disruption

• Develop and maintain program level artifacts:

  • Dashboards

  • Status reports

  • Communication and engagement plans

• Ensure alignment with:

  • IT delivery standards

  • Security and risk requirements

  • Data governance and compliance expectations

• Support continuous improvement through standardization, templates, and execution best practices

4. Required Skills & Experience (Must Haves)

This role requires a very strong Program Manager with proven delivery execution experience:

• 7+ years of experience in program and project management

• Demonstrated success leading large, cross functional IT or Digital programs

• Strong execution mindset - able to move seamlessly between strategy, planning, and hands on delivery

• Experience working closely with Product teams.

• Experience operating in Agile and hybrid delivery environments

  • Comfort partnering with Scrum Masters and Agile teams

• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills

• Proven ability to manage:

  • Parallel workstreams

  • Complex dependencies

  • Evolving scope and priorities

• Strong experience creating and maintaining:

  • Integrated program plans

  • Delivery dashboards and KPIs

  • Executive level reporting

• Experience operating within structured enterprise governance models

5. Important Clarification for Agencies (Intentional)

• AI expertise is NOT required

• Candidates do not need hands on AI, machine learning, or data science experience

• Functional familiarity with AI & Data initiatives is sufficient

• Priority is given to delivery leadership, structure, and execution rigor

Agencies should screen for program management strength, not AI depth.

6. What "Good" Looks Like in This Role

Strong candidates will:

• Quickly establish structure and clarity in a growing program

• Drive execution without needing heavy direction

• Proactively manage dependencies, risks, and timelines

• Communicate clearly with executives, business partners, and technical teams

• Be comfortable operating across multiple initiatives at once

• Hold teams accountable while remaining pragmatic and collaborative

• Focus on delivery outcomes rather than theoretical frameworks

Your Experience in Years

Program Leadership & Governance

Cross Functional Delivery Management

Execution Discipline & Delivery Rigor

Agile & Hybrid Delivery Expertise

Stakeholder Communication & Executive Reporting

Brandon Consulting Associates, Inc. is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and has been in business for 29years.