Senior AI Portfolio & Program Manager

Confidential; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in Abu Dhabi seeks a Senior AI Portfolio & Program Manager to lead a cross-functional portfolio spanning AI, GenAI, Data and Digital Innovation, aligning stakeholders and driving accountability to ensure investments deliver measurable business value.

You will govern dashboards, prepare executive reports, and steer multi-project delivery, partnering with AI engineers, data scientists, product owners, business analysts, and external vendors to achieve strategic outcomes.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of PM/Program/Portfolio Management experience.
• 5+ years managing large-scale AI, Data, Digital Transformation, or Technology portfolios.
• Exceptional organizational and planning skills.
• Outstanding verbal, written, and executive presentation skills.
• Experience engaging with C-Level executives and senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong governance, risk management, and reporting experience.
• Experience establishing PMO and portfolio management practices.
• Certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, PMI-PgMP, PMI-PfMP preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and govern a portfolio of AI, GenAI, Data, and Innovation initiatives.
• Prioritize and monitor AI investments, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.
• Establish portfolio governance, reporting frameworks, and KPI tracking.
• Drive executive-level visibility of portfolio status, risks, dependencies, and business value.
• Oversee multiple concurrent AI projects from initiation through deployment.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including AI Engineers, Data Scientists, Product Owners, Business Analysts, and Vendors.
• Manage timelines, budgets, resources, dependencies, and risk mitigation plans.
• Ensure successful delivery while maintaining quality, governance, and stakeholder alignment.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic planning

Executive communication

Portfolio governance

Risk management

Education

PMP/PRINCE2/ PMI-PgMP / PMI-PfMP

Job description

We are seeking a highly organized, strategic, and influential Senior AI Portfolio & Program Manager to lead and govern a portfolio of AI, Generative AI, Automation, and Digital Innovation initiatives across the organization.

This role is ideal for a strong communicator and program leader who excels at managing multiple workstreams, aligning stakeholders, driving accountability, and ensuring AI investments deliver measurable business outcomes. The successful candidate will act as the central point of coordination between executive leadership, business units, product teams, AI specialists, and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and govern a portfolio of AI, GenAI, Data, and Innovation initiatives.
• Prioritize and monitor AI investments, ensuring alignment with organizational strategy.
• Establish portfolio governance, reporting frameworks, and KPI tracking.
• Drive executive-level visibility of portfolio status, risks, dependencies, and business value.

Program & Delivery Management

• Oversee multiple concurrent AI projects from initiation through deployment.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including AI Engineers, Data Scientists, Product Owners, Business Analysts, and Vendors.
• Manage timelines, budgets, resources, dependencies, and risk mitigation plans.
• Ensure successful delivery while maintaining quality, governance, and stakeholder alignment.

Executive Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary bridge between business leaders and technical teams.
• Facilitate steering committees and executive governance forums.
• Prepare executive presentations, portfolio dashboards, business cases, and status reports.
• Drive decision making and maintain alignment across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Build strong relationships across all organizational levels.
• Lead communication strategies for AI programs and transformation initiatives.
• Influence stakeholders and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Promote collaboration and accountability across teams.

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of Project, Program, or Portfolio Management experience
• 5+ years managing large-scale AI, Data, Digital Transformation, or Technology portfolios
• Exceptional organizational and planning skills
• Outstanding verbal, written, and executive presentation skills
• Experience engaging with C-Level executives and senior stakeholders
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
• Strong governance, risk management, and reporting experience
• Experience establishing PMO and portfolio management practices
• PMP, PRINCE2, PMI-PgMP, PMI-PfMP, or equivalent certifications preferred

We are specifically looking for someone who is:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented
• Exceptional communicator and presenter
• Strong stakeholder manager and relationship builder
• Confident dealing with senior executives and leadership teams
• Skilled at prioritization and portfolio governance
• Proactive, structured, and outcome-focused
• Capable of bringing order, visibility, and accountability across multiple AI initiatives
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced transformation environments

Preferred AI Experience

While deep hands-on AI development experience is not required, candidates should have strong exposure to: