AI Programme Manager

London & Partners Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

London & Partners Limited is seeking an AI Programme Manager to oversee a three-year AI Programme funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA). The role focuses on establishing governance, robust financial management, planning, reporting and compliance, coordinating across programme teams, partners and funders.

You will lead day-to-day delivery, monitor progress, manage risks and dependencies, and contribute to improving impact for London's SMEs while ensuring high standards of delivery and

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain 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.

Job description

AI Programme Manager

Application Deadline: 9 October 2026

Department: Small Business Support

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: London

Compensation: £47,000 - £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