Senior Research Program Manager

Autodesk, Inc; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Autodesk Research is seeking a Senior Research Program Manager to lead a portfolio of forward-looking construction research programs. You will bridge research strategy, construction domain expertise, AI-enabled workflows, and cross-functional execution to deliver structured plans and measurable impact.

This role focuses on coordinating researchers, engineers, and product teams to advance BIM/VDC workflows, reality capture, digital twins, and AI-enabled decision support across extended timelines.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in program management, project management, or related field in construction or research operations.
• Experience managing complex, multi-workstream programs with diverse stakeholders, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Strong knowledge of construction workflows (preconstruction, BIM/VDC, scheduling, field execution) and data management.
• Proven ability to create structure in ambiguous, forming areas and communicate clearly with executive audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead construction research programs spanning multiple projects, experiments, and partnerships with extended timelines.
• Develop and maintain integrated program plans, defining scope, milestones, dependencies, and owners.
• Coordinate researchers, engineers, designers, product teams, and external partners to align with priorities.
• Translate emerging technical work into clear narratives, decision briefs, and next-step recommendations.
• Manage budgets and resources in partnership with leadership and finance; support planning and prioritization.

Skills

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communication

Ambiguity management

Program management

Education

Degree in Construction Management / Civil Engineering / Architecture / Computer Science

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Miro

Slack

Job description

Job ID26WD101762Job Requisition ID #26WD101762Position OverviewAutodesk Research is hiring a Senior Research Program Manager to lead a portfolio of forward-looking construction research programs.You will sit at the intersection of research strategy, construction domain expertise, AI-enabled workflows, and cross-functional program execution, helping teams move from ambiguous opportunity areas to structured plans, measurable progress, and strategic impact.Autodesk Research explores advances that may shape products and customer workflows five to ten years into the future, investigating how intelligent, agentic, and AI-driven systems can transform how ideas move from concept to reality.This is not a traditional Technical Program Manager role. Research Program Managers are horizontally focused connectors who organize programs, manage ambiguity, coordinate stakeholders, and link research work to Autodesk’s broader business outcomes.ResponsibilitiesLead Construction Research ProgramsManage a program spanning multiple related projects, experiments, prototypes, and partnerships across complex, extended timelinesBuild and maintain integrated program plans across workstreams, defining scope, objectives, milestones, dependencies, and ownersAlign the portfolio with Research priorities, Autodesk’s long-term construction vision, available capacity, and strategic outcomesHelp teams prioritize when opportunities compete for attention, staffing, or fundingCoordinate across researchers, engineers, designers, product teams, external partners, and leadershipBring Construction Domain FluencyProject delivery, Preconstruction, planning, estimating, scheduling, procurement, field execution, and handoverBIM/VDC workflows, Model coordination, construction documentation, site data, and connected data environmentsEmerging technologies, Reality capture, digital twins, construction analytics, and AI-enabled decision supportAEC platforms, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Revit, Navisworks, Forma, Tandem, or adjacent platformsCoordinate AI and Emerging Technology ResearchSupport programs exploring how AI, generative AI, intelligent agents, simulation, and connected workflows can transform constructionHelp researchers structure AI-enabled workstreams with clear milestones, experiments, and evaluation plansCoordinate research integrating BIM, schedules, reality capture, field data, and other construction information sourcesTranslate emerging technical work into clear narratives, decision briefs, and next-step recommendationUse AI tools in your own practice to improve planning, synthesis, documentation, and follow-throughManage Resources and External EngagementsTrack program budgets, planned expenditures, and resource needs in partnership with leadership and financeSupport annual and quarterly planning, goal-setting, and resource prioritizationCoordinate external collaborations, customer engagements, and academic or industry partnershipsMinimum Qualifications8+ years of experience in program management, project management, research operations, construction technology, or a related fieldExperience managing complex, multi-workstream programs with diverse stakeholders, dependencies, and deliverablesWorking knowledge of construction workflows, including preconstruction, BIM/VDC, scheduling, field execution, or construction data managementDemonstrated ability to create structure in ambiguous, newly forming areasStrong written, verbal, and visual communication skills, including executive-ready summaries and dashboardsStrong facilitation and influencing skills across multidisciplinary teamsProficiency with tools such as Jira, Confluence, Miro, Slack, or equivalent platformsAbility to work effectively across global teams and time zonesPreferred QualificationsExperience in construction technology, AEC, digital twins, BIM/VDC, reality capture, or AI-enabled construction workflowsFamiliarity with Autodesk Construction Cloud, Revit, Navisworks, Forma, Tandem, or related platformsBackground in applied research, innovation programs, incubation, or early-stage product explorationFamiliarity with AI/ML, generative AI, intelligent agents, or data-driven product developmentExperience coordinating programs involving data integration, connected workflows, or scalable data pipelinesExperience managing research collaborations, customer advisory engagements, or academic and industry partnershipsDegree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Computer Science, HCI, Business, or a related field. Equivalent experience is welcome.What Success Looks Like (6–12 Months)Within the first 6–12 months, success means delivering:A clear operating rhythm: A trusted and consistent approach to managing the construction research programPortfolio visibility: An integrated view of priorities, workstreams, milestones, risks, and decisionsStrong stakeholder relationships: Effective partnerships with researchers, engineers, product stakeholders, and Research leadershipImproved accountability: Greater visibility and ownership without reducing research velocityStrategic alignment: A clearer connection between construction research and Autodesk’s strategic outcomesKnowledge reuse: Better documentation and reuse of research artifacts, insights, and decisionsAI-enabled operations: Active, demonstrable use of AI tools to improve program operations#LI-JK2Learn More / Plus d'informationAbout Autodesk / À propos d’AutodeskWelcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software – from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made.We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk – it’s at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world.When you’re an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!Bienvenue chez Autodesk ! Nos logiciels créent chaque jour des choses extraordinaires : des bâtiments les plus écologiques aux voitures les plus propres, en passant par les usines les plus intelligentes et les films à succès. Nous aidons les innovateurs à concrétiser leurs idées, transformant non seulement la façon dont les choses sont fabriquées, mais aussi ce qui peut l’être.Nous sommes très fiers de notre culture chez Autodesk ; elle est au cœur de tout ce que nous faisons. Notre culture guide notre façon de travailler et de nous comporter les uns envers les autres, influence nos interactions avec nos clients et nos partenaires, et définit notre image au monde.En tant qu’Autodeskien, vous pouvez accomplir un travail significatif qui contribue à bâtir un monde meilleur, conçu et réalisé pour tous. Prêt à façonner le monde et votre avenir ? Rejoignez-nous !Salary transparency / Transparence SalarialeSalary is one part of Autodesk’s competitive compensation package. Offers are based on the candidate’s experience and geographic location. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.BelongingWe take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more here: https://www.autodesk.com/company/global-belongingIn-Person Onboarding and Identity VerificationThis role may require in-person onboarding and/or in-person ID verification.