AI Programme Manager

LONDON AND PARTNERS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 Days Annual Leave

Competitive Salary

Learning & Development

Hybrid Work

Job summary

London & Partners is seeking an AI Programme Manager to lead the Integrate workstream of the AI Programme in London. You will establish governance, manage financial controls, and coordinate across programme teams, partners and funders to deliver on targets.

The role requires proactive leadership, strong stakeholder management, and hands-on delivery of complex programmes within a fast-paced public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering public sector programmes is a plus.
• Strong governance and reporting capabilities are essential.
• Ability to manage budgets and financial data for programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead programme governance and operational excellence across the AI programme.
• Ensure delivery on time, within budget, and to high standards.
• Coordinate with partners, stakeholders and internal teams.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Financial management

Governance

Tools

MS Office

Dynamics 365

Salesforce

Job description

AI Programme Manager

Application Deadline: 9 October 2026

Department: Small Business Support

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London

Compensation: GBP 47,000 - GBP 49,409 / year

Description

The AI Programme This three-year programme is funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA) and aligns with its AI mission, including work to support the future of jobs and expand access to AI skills. It also delivers a key recommendation from London & Partners' Business Support Strategy by helping underrepresented founders adopt AI in ways that are practical, inclusive and growth-focused.

This is a high-profile and ambitious programme designed to support businesses of different sizes and sectors. The delivery model is still being developed and will offer support at different stages of AI maturity through three connected strands:

• Explore, building awareness of AI through diagnostics, practical guidance and early-stage support.
• Adopt, providing expert-led workshops, peer learning and practical support to help firms implement AI solutions.
• Integrate, offering intensive consultancy and leadership support to embed AI into workflows and drive business transformation.

Purpose of the role

The 'Integrate' part of this programme will be delivered by the Small Business Programmes Team. The AI Programme Manager will be responsible for establishing, maintaining and continuously improving effective ways of working across the programme. This includes managing processes and systems to ensure robust financial management, governance, business planning, reporting and compliance in line with London & Partners', partner and funder requirements. The role will bring together programme teams, partners and stakeholders to provide effective coordination, resource management and delivery oversight, monitoring performance against targets, managing risks and dependencies, and identifying opportunities to improve programme effectiveness and impact.

This is an exciting opportunity to help launch and shape an ambitious programme within a fast-paced and dynamic team environment. The successful candidate will be a proactive self-starter, capable of managing complex programme coordination across London & Partners teams and external stakeholders, while exercising sound judgement to seek support and elevate issues where appropriate. They will play a key role in overseeing critical projects and adapting operational approaches to support the successful delivery of a high-profile programme serving London's SMEs.

Key Tasks

Programme Set-up, Governance & Operational Excellence

• Establish and maintain effective governance arrangements across the programme, including risk management, change control, decision-making processes and performance oversight.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures, systems, documentation and delivery frameworks to support accurate, consistent and compliant programme management and data recording.
• Convene programme teams and stakeholder groups to ensure clear accountabilities, aligned delivery plans, effective coordination and resource management.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, collaboration and ways of working across the Small Business Directorate and with internal and external stakeholders.

• Establish and maintain monitoring, reporting and financial management processes to track programme performance, participant feedback, delivery insights, outputs, outcomes, impact and expenditure for internal and external monitoring and reporting.
• Ensure programme data is up to date and reliable: complete, accurate and compliant with organisational and funder requirements.
• Collect, analyse and present accurate performance and financial data, insights and recommendations to support decision-making, business planning and continuous improvement.
• Support budget planning, forecasting and profiling activities in partnership with Finance colleagues, and monitor expenditure to identify risks, variances and opportunities for optimisation.
• Manage grant funding administration processes, ensuring fair, transparent and compliant delivery of funded interventions and processing of SME claims (Internships).
• Produce high-quality monthly, quarterly and ad hoc reports on performance, outcomes, spend, risks and variances for internal stakeholders and external funders.

Programme Delivery

• Support the set up of the AI programme, including systems, processes, governance and ways of working.
• Lead the day-to-day delivery of the AI accelerator programme, ensuring a seamless participant experience from recruitment and assessment through to programme completion and alumni engagement.
• Oversee the delivery and monitoring of training, leadership development, consultancy support, internships, events and other funded interventions, ensuring activities are delivered on time, within budget and to a high standard.
• Work closely with technical specialists, marketing, operations and programme teams to ensure programme deliverables are met; SMEs engaged and supported throughout their AI Integrate journey.
• Maintain programme delivery plans, monitor progress against milestones and proactively manage risks, dependencies and issues.
• Continuously review participant feedback, engagement and performance data to improve programme quality, experience and outcomes.
• Use programme insights, market intelligence and participant feedback to identify opportunities to enhance programme design and delivery.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop programme improvements and additional support offers, events, learning opportunities and alumni engagement activities that increase impact for London SMEs

Partner & Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including the Greater London Authority (GLA), delivery partners, technical experts, universities, internship providers and other strategic partners.
• Work with Finance, Compliance and Legal to manage procurement and contracting processes
• Manage the onboarding and monitoring of delivery partners, ensuring contractual outputs, outcomes and service standards are achieved.

Team Leadership

• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and support to direct reports; setting clear priorities, expectations, objectives, professional development plans, and promoting a collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Build strong working relationships across the AI programme team and London & Partners, and contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the Directorate.
• Work independently, using initiative and sound judgement to resolve issues while escalating key risks or decisions where appropriate.
• Contribute to the ongoing growth of AI adoption programmes and other strategic initiatives within the Small Business Directorate.

You’ll have/bring

Core Skills & Competencies (Essential)

Programme delivery and operational skills

• Experience of delivering business support programmes for the public sector which have delivered successfully in terms of outputs, client satisfaction and impact.
• Proven track record of managing and delivering complex projects or programmes with available resources, measuring and monitoring performance throughout.
• Experience supporting London's small businesses, with an understanding of how to engage them and the challenges they face.
• Experience in delivering complex programmes involving multiple stakeholders and delivery methods, such as online and face-to-face delivery, commissioned partners, grant processes and cohort-based support.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise and manage competing priorities effectively, while responding flexibly to changing needs.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning, administration and programme compliance.
• Experience of developing and implementing robust governance processes.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management

• Effective stakeholder management to ensure programmes are kept on track and relevant information is collected as required.
• Experience in managing external supplier contracts and working in partnership establishing good working relationship and flow of communication.
• Proven ability to communicate information effectively and confidently to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

IT skills

• Excellent IT skills including knowledge of MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Dynamics and Office 365) and Intranet/Internet systems as well as an advanced level of MS Excel
• Experience using CRM systems e.g. Salesforce

People management

• Experience in leading, managing and motivating direct reports effectively

Skills & Competencies (Desirable)

• Qualification or certification in project or programme management.
• Experience of public sector compliance and funder reporting.
• Understanding of digital technologies, AI and/or the opportunities and challenges facing manufacturing SMEs.
• Experience of engaging underrepresented founders and embracing L&P's objectives of improving outcomes for women, ethnic minority and disabled business owners.

You’ll Get

• 30 Days Annual Leave: Generous paid time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.
• Competitive Salary: We value your contributions and ensure you are rewarded accordingly.
• Learning & Development Opportunities: Continuous growth is at the heart of our culture, with ample opportunities for professional development.
• Strong Culture of Belonging: We foster an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and supported.
• Various Networks for Staff: Connect with like-minded colleagues through our numerous staff networks.
• Competitive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our robust pension plan.
• Networking Opportunities: Expand your professional network within your chosen field.
• Geopolitical Insights: Gain unique perspectives on global economic and political trends.
• Hybrid Working Arrangement: Enjoy the flexibility of working both remotely and in-office.
• WorkFlex: Take advantage of opportunities to work abroad and experience different cultures.

London's diversity is its biggest asset. At London & Partners, we aim to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the city that we promote. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or assignment, faith or disability. We also appreciate that many people require flexibility in their working patterns and encourage you to talk to us at interview about any flexibility you may need, be it full-time, job-share, or part-time.

We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.