Director, AI & Automation Program Delivery

SML Inox; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a strategic Director for AI & Automation Program Delivery. This role is pivotal in driving a multi-year transformation initiative that aims to unlock significant value across global operations. The ideal candidate will possess a wealth of experience in program delivery, with a strong focus on both agile and waterfall methodologies. You will be responsible for overseeing project execution, engaging with stakeholders, and ensuring that all initiatives align with organizational goals. This is an exciting opportunity to lead innovative projects that will shape the future of operations, making a tangible impact in a collaborative and supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible Work Environment

Career Growth Opportunities

Well-being Support

Inclusive Culture

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in program delivery and execution excellence.
• Expertise in managing both waterfall and agile project methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the AI and Automation Program for Operations, ensuring strategic alignment.
• Communicate project status and updates to senior executives.

Skills

Program Delivery

Agile Methodologies

Waterfall Methodologies

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

PMP or CSM Certification

Tools

Project Management Software

Budget Management Tools

Job description

Reporting to Head of Transformation - Global Operations, the Director, AI & Automation Program Delivery is a consultant-minded professional who can deliver on our global Operations strategic priorities, obsess about customers, and is excited to drive a highly visible, strategic transformation for our organization. As a key member of the Global Operations Strategy & Transformation team, the desired candidate will lead and implement Manulife’s multi-year GenAI & Automation program, a major transformation program that strives to unlock significant value for Operations, and the Enterprise.

The role involves leading all aspects of the AI and Automation Program for Operations, working with various teams to ensure strategic alignment. The candidate should operationalize frameworks for value measurement, risk management, and regulatory compliance, while driving AI business value. Responsibilities include leading projects from start to finish, assembling teams, securing resources, and communicating with senior team members and external partners.

Position Responsibilities:

Delivery Excellence & Program Governance

• Responsible for implementing the AI & Automation portfolio in collaboration with multiple functional and technology partners, developing analysis to identify and support improvements
• Builds upon a single program view of multiple AI & Automation projects and prepares a portfolio view for senior executive updates
• Sees the big picture and has a vision for alternative approaches to getting the job done
• Coordinates global projects through all phases of initiation, development and implementation
• Works with Product Owners, Segment Ops Leads, Business/Functional Stakeholders to define and manage the scope, strategy, requirements and end-to-end execution of projects
• Ensures that assigned projects are completed within budgets and schedules while meeting business objectives
• Identifies resource needs for the project and establishes roles, expectations, and goals with team members
• Anticipates, identifies, analyzes, mitigates, documents, and controls project risks
• Drives the assessment, management, and mitigation of project risks that impede successful program delivery
• Collaborates with Segment Ops Leads to exchange standard methodologies and insights gained from other teams

Stakeholder Engagement & Communications

• Provides effective and regular communication with the segment team, collaborators, sponsors, and executive management
• Develop and present project and portfolio status updates, roadmap updates, findings, and/or recommendations to an Executive audience

Financial Management

• Reports on and leads initiative budgets and benefit measurements for overall AI and Automation portfolio
• Participate in the annual budget process, ensuring that AI priorities, scope and budget needs are incorporated into the annual planning process
• Work with Finance partners to ensure the project expenses are correctly identified and tagged

Business Case Development

• Lead the planning, mobilization and partner engagement required to build the business case for AI execution, and future funding activities
• Ensure the business case developed in alignment with the organizational delivery framework, including but not limited to cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment guidelines, etc.

Required Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of hands-on experience in program delivery and execution excellence
• Demonstrated success delivering program to introduce new technologies globally, redefining business and unlocking value
• Has expertise in managing both waterfall and agile project methodologies; PMP or CSM designation would be an asset
• Ability to communicate effectively in both technical and non-technical terms, verbal and written, to both a Senior Executive audience and project delivery teams; able to effectively articulate the business opportunity, solution vision, possibilities, and outcomes to technical and non-technical audience
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills; has experience in collaborating and partnering with business/functional team members, data scientists, data engineers, architects, and vendor SMEs across a global, distributed environment
• Proven track record of effective monitoring and reporting program updates, risks and issues
• Strong analytical skills, copes with complex situations using both skills and experience to lead to the right outcomes
• Apply field expertise to propose alternative approaches to leadership considering current project challenges and goals
• High standard of work within the program, applying both skills and experience to drive and govern the program, as well as develop deliverables
• Knowledge of corporate function processes and capabilities
• Exposure to large language models (LLMs) or other generative AI capabilities is an asset
• Experience in managing and delivering large-scale analytics/AI projects involving cross-functional technical teams, business partners, and change management partners is a plus

When you join our team:

• We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want.
• We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words.