Program Manager, Data and AI at Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies works to improve the lives of millions of people in more than 700 cities and 150 countries. Our mission is to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people.

About the Organization

Bloomberg Philanthropies (BP) works to create catalytic change across five areas of focus: arts and culture, education, the environment, government innovation, and public health. Our approach is rooted in Mike Bloomberg's unique experience and success across the field of business, government, and philanthropy.

The Government Innovation programs build the capacity of local governments to solve problems effectively. Our initiatives – ranging from large-scale international innovation competitions to domestic efforts that help mayors hone their management skills and better use data in decision-making – equip local leaders with practical tools and approaches they can use to address local challenges. We currently invest in municipal governments worldwide through grants, technical assistance, and participation programs. Our team is collegial and collaborative with an orientation toward learning at the individual, group, and portfolio levels. We are energized to advance our mission, while also working to ensure team members have full and balanced lives and opportunities for growth.

You can learn more about Bloomberg Philanthropies at our website.

About the Role

What You'll Do

As artificial intelligence reshapes the future of city leadership, it will create significant opportunities and challenges for city governments worldwide. Bloomberg Philanthropies is seeking a Program Manager to help lead a large, diverse, and rapidly expanding Data & AI portfolio that sits at the global epicenter of public sector transformation. This role offers a rare opportunity to shape how local governments across the Americas and beyond adopt emerging technologies to deliver tangible benefits for millions of residents.

Our programmatic focus includes:

• Setting standards: Defining what excellence looks like in city operations and their use of data & AI and fostering implementation of the standards through our partners
• Driving adoption of AI: Showing cities what's possible with the technology, and finding use cases that can scale to solve real problems for residents
• Shaping the field: Bringing cities together to use their collective voice to advocate for a strong role in ensuring data and AI are used for the benefit of all residents.

These initiatives are implemented through a blend of technical assistance, convenings, standard-setting, and scaling mechanisms.

The Program Manager will serve as a core driver of these programs. They will define and advise on best-in-class municipal AI governance, capability building, and data management. Through key initiatives such as City AI Connect and the City Data Alliance, they will leverage the power of global governmental and NGO networks, anchor university partnerships, and develop innovative programming to establish lasting, broad-scale impact.

We are looking for a civic-minded executive who is equally energized by big-picture thinking and hands-on execution: someone who can synthesize insights, drive impact and accountability, manage complex partner ecosystems, and contribute to portfolio-level strategy at the intersection of technology, policy, innovation, and city government.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Strategy, Thought Partnership & Future Vision

• Generate strategic insights and provide thought partnership to shape the next era of BP's Data & AI work, designing and implementing programs, identifying partners, and driving advances in AI adoption, digital government, procurement, city talent pipelines, and data systems
• Connect day-to-day program achievements to broader field-building by developing compelling storytelling and field-influencing points of view that establish national and global standards for public sector technology adoption
• Collaborate with academic partners to build a body of research that advances the field of AI, digital, data, procurement, and talent in cities in service of residents
• Monitor developments in digital government, civic technology, AI policy, government operations, and public sector innovation, with a focus on opportunities and risks for city governments and their residents

Portfolio Leadership and Partner Management

• Serve as a strategic relationship manager for partners delivering major components of the Data & AI portfolio, providing guidance, candid feedback, and ongoing operational support
• Advance shared goals through coordination and facilitation of partner check-ins, working sessions, and high-visibility convenings
• Monitor deliverables, milestones, risks, and performance across multiple initiatives, ensuring work meets Bloomberg Philanthropies' standards for excellence and impact
• Develop memos, briefings, and updates for internal Bloomberg Philanthropies leadership and key external partners that support institutional decision-making and showcase portfolio impact
• Leverage AI (Claude, ChatGPT) to design, maintain, and continuously improve tools, workflows, trackers, dashboards, and internal systems that enable effective management of a complex, fast-moving portfolio

Who You'll Work With

You will report to the head of the Data and AI portfolio on the Government Innovation team .

Required Skills and Experience

• 8+ years of relevant, full-time work experience including engagement with AI policy, data, product, and/or digital services in a municipal government or public sector innovation context
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing strategy for complex, multi-stakeholder programs or products
• Collaborative orientation and relationship management acumen, including experience driving impact with senior government, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders
• Deep curiosity about data, AI, digital transformation, and the evolving landscape of government operations, coupled with a resident-centered mindset; active user of a range of AI tools
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesize complexity into clear, compelling memos, presentations, and narrative updates
• Strong judgment and high integrity, with the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a track record of building trust-based relationships across internal teams, grantees, government partners, and other key stakeholders
• Product mindset, with a bias toward owning outcomes over process, testing assumptions through prototyping, and rooting decisions in evidence
• Highly organized and proactive working style; able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set clear priorities, and ensure that details do not fall through the cracks in a fast-paced environment
• Comfort operating in ambiguity with a creative, solutions-oriented approach and ability to adapt as new information emerges
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in public policy, public administration, business, urban planning, or a related field preferred

Location and Work Environment

This role is based in NYC. The role will require occasional domestic and international travel.

Compensation

The compensation range for this position is $145,000-$160,000, and is commensurate with experience.

Accommodation

Bloomberg Philanthropies provides reasonable adjustment/accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please let us know if you require a reasonable adjustment/accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable adjustment/accommodation include but are not limited to making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. To request an adjustment/accommodation to apply for a job, please email View email address on click.appcast.io.

Bloomberg Philanthropies is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination in employment. It is Bloomberg Philanthropies' policy to provide equal opportunity and access for all persons, and the Organization is committed to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified individuals without regard to age, ancestry, color, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, parental or caring status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or maternity/parental leave, protected veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other classification protected by applicable law (each, a "Protected Characteristic"). Bloomberg Philanthropies prohibits treating applicants or employees less favorably in connection with the terms and conditions of employment, in all phases of the employment process, because of one or more Protected Characteristics.