Senior Program Manager – AI Programs & Ecosystem

ContractKen Inc.; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 6,000,000; Part time

Job summary

Nasscom is seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead end-to-end AI program design, execution, and governance, driving industry engagement and ecosystem collaboration. The role involves managing flagship events, executive engagements, and cross-stakeholder initiatives with enterprises, GCCs, startups, academia, government, and partners.

The successful candidate will translate strategic priorities into high-impact programs, uphold operational excellence, and deliver measurable outcomes, requiring

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of experience in program management, consulting, ecosystem development, partnerships, operations, or strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, multi-stakeholder programs from concept to execution.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Strong project management, planning, governance, and organizational capabilities.
• Analytical mindset with experience using data and metrics to improve program performance.
• Ability to manage multiple strategic priorities in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• High ownership, problem-solving ability, and execution excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end planning, governance, and execution of strategic AI programs and initiatives.
• Define program objectives, milestones, success metrics, and governance frameworks.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, monitor timelines, manage risks, and ensure timely delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement through structured reviews, retrospectives, and best practices.
• Conceptualize and deliver flagship conferences, executive forums, leadership roundtables, workshops, and ecosystem engagements.
• Build engagement opportunities that strengthen collaboration across enterprises, GCCs, startups, academia, government, and technology providers.
• Coordinate across internal teams to ensure seamless collaboration throughout the program lifecycle.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Strategic thinking

Governance

Analytics

Tools

CRM platforms

MIS reporting

Data visualization tools

Job description

Nasscom is looking for a Senior Program Manager to lead the design, execution, and governance of strategic AI initiatives that drive industry engagement, ecosystem collaboration, and member value. The role will be responsible for managing end-to-end flagship programs, industry forums, executive engagements, and strategic initiatives involving enterprises, GCCs, startups, academia, government, and ecosystem partners. The individual will work closely with senior leadership to translate strategic priorities into high-impact programs while ensuring operational excellence, stakeholder alignment, and measurable outcomes. This is a high-ownership role requiring strong program management, stakeholder engagement, strategic thinking, and execution capabilities.

• Lead the end-to-end planning, governance, and execution of strategic AI programs and initiatives.
• Define program objectives, milestones, success metrics, and governance frameworks aligned with organizational priorities.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, monitor timelines, manage risks, and ensure timely delivery of program outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement through structured reviews, retrospectives, and best practices.

Strategic Event & Ecosystem Management

• Conceptualize and deliver flagship conferences, executive forums, leadership roundtables, workshops, and ecosystem engagements.
• Curate themes, identify industry priorities, develop agendas, and coordinate with speakers, partners, and stakeholders.
• Build engagement opportunities that strengthen collaboration across enterprises, GCCs, startups, academia, government, and technology providers.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and manage relationships with senior industry leaders, member organizations, strategic partners, startups, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Coordinate across internal teams including Membership, Events, Marketing, Research, Policy, Communications, Finance, and Leadership.
• Ensure seamless collaboration among multiple stakeholders throughout the program lifecycle.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Establish standardized operating procedures and governance mechanisms across programs.
• Ensure adherence to organizational policies, financial controls, procurement processes, documentation standards, and audit requirements.
• Drive operational efficiencies through process optimization and automation wherever applicable.

Program Analytics & Reporting

• Develop and monitor MIS dashboards, engagement metrics, participation analytics, and program KPIs.
• Generate executive reports and data-driven insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Evaluate program effectiveness through participant feedback, impact assessment, and performance analysis.
• Coordinate with external agencies, consultants, event partners, technology vendors, and service providers.
• Mentor junior team members and support capability building across the program management function.
• Foster a collaborative, execution-focused culture within cross-functional teams.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• 7–10 years of experience in program management, consulting, ecosystem development, partnerships, operations, or strategic initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale, multi-stakeholder programs from concept to execution.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Strong project management, planning, governance, and organizational capabilities.
• Analytical mindset with experience using data and metrics to improve program performance.
• Ability to manage multiple strategic priorities in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• High ownership, problem-solving ability, and execution excellence.
• This role will be on a Vendor Consultant Contract

Preferred Experience

• Experience working with technology companies, AI ecosystems, GCCs, industry associations, consulting firms, innovation programs, or startup ecosystems.
• Experience managing flagship conferences, leadership summits, executive roundtables, and industry forums.
• Familiarity with project management methodologies, CRM platforms, MIS reporting, and data visualization tools.

Exposure to AI, enterprise technology, digital transformation, or innovation ecosystems is highly desirable