Head of Program Management

AI71; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading AI firm in Abu Dhabi seeks a Head of Program Management to partner with the CPTO in overseeing program execution and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in program management and a strong understanding of AI/ML product lifecycles to drive complex engineering initiatives. This role requires exceptional organizational skills and the ability to navigate high-stakes environments while aligning cross-functional teams to strategic goals.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in program management or engineering operations.
• 3+ years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of modern software engineering and AI lifecycles.

Responsibilities

• Act as chief of staff to the CPTO, driving strategic initiatives.
• Oversee the TPM organization and ensure high-quality project delivery.
• Identify and improve operational bottlenecks.

Skills

Program Management

Engineering Operations

AI/ML Product Development

Organizational Leadership

Agile Methodologies

Communication

Job description

About the Company

AI71 is a next-generation artificial intelligence company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Backed by leading institutions and committed to responsible innovation, AI71 builds cutting-edge AI solutions that serve national-scale needs and global ambitions—across sectors like language, security, infrastructure, and beyond. We are assembling a world-class team of engineers, researchers, and product leaders to shape the future of AI in the region and on the global stage.

About the Role

As Head of Program Management, you will serve as a strategic partner and operational right hand to the CPTO, helping lead and scale the engineering and product organization. You will oversee the day-to-day execution of cross-functional programs, manage the Technical Program Management (TPM) function, and ensure operational excellence across product delivery, planning, and execution. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, operations, and execution, and is ideal for someone who thrives in dynamic environments, understands complex technical systems, and has a bias for structured delivery and crisp communication.

Responsibilities

• Act as a chief of staff to the CPTO, helping prioritize initiatives, drive alignment, and track strategic goals.
• Oversee the TPM org, including hiring, coaching, and aligning TPMs to key product and engineering initiatives.
• Run operating rhythms for the engineering and product orgs—planning cycles, roadmap tracking, OKRs, and weekly reviews.
• Partner with engineering, product, and design leads to ensure cross-functional execution on time and with high quality.
• Drive complex, multi-stakeholder programs that span multiple technical domains and business units.
• Build and evolve internal tools, dashboards, and communication channels to improve transparency and accountability.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement scalable processes to improve efficiency, velocity, and quality.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in program management, engineering operations, or similar roles—ideally in fast-paced, product-driven tech companies.
• 3+ years in a people management or organizational leadership role.
• Strong understanding of modern software engineering and AI/ML product development lifecycles.
• Proven track record of delivering cross-functional programs at scale.
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills; you can navigate complexity and drive clarity.
• Comfortable working in high-stakes, ambiguous environments with senior stakeholders.
• Experience working with or reporting to C-level executives.

Required Skills

• Prior experience in AI, deep tech, or high-scale infrastructure environments.
• Experience working in startup or scale-up contexts, especially in the GCC or emerging markets.
• Familiarity with OKRs, agile methodologies, and modern product development practices.

Equal Opportunity Statement

AI71 is committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.