AI Factory Operations Manager

ABB; Bologna; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

ABB Energy Industries is seeking an AI Factory Operations Manager to run the AI Transformation Engine. You will establish a transparent, scalable delivery environment and orchestrate portfolio execution across the AI portfolio, driving governance, capacity planning and performance improvements.

You will collaborate with the AI Lead Architect and external partners, manage delivery risks and dependencies, and ensure stage-gate execution within cost, time and quality constraints.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Technology, or related field.
• 5+ years in program delivery, operations management, PMO leadership, transformation or similar.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary or virtual delivery teams.
• Experience with executive stakeholders.
• Strong planning, governance and operational management.
• Fluent in English.
• Willingness to travel internationally ~20%.

Responsibilities

• Operate and improve the AI Factory delivery framework.
• Maintain portfolio visibility and provide performance reporting.
• Establish operational governance and working practices.
• Coordinate delivery activities across the divisional AI portfolio.
• Maintain transparency on status, risks, dependencies, capacity and delivery performance.
• Ensure effective stage-gate execution and delivery against cost, time and quality expectations.
• Support portfolio prioritization and capacity planning.
• Evaluate the capability, effectiveness and performance of internal delivery teams.
• Identify development and improvement opportunities across those teams.
• Recommend scaling, restructuring, consolidation or closure actions when appropriate.
• Coordinate external delivery partners and vendors.
• Work with the AI Lead Architect on delivery approach.
• Manage operational delivery performance within the AI Factory Steering Committee’s authority.
• Coordinate the execution of AI Academy initiatives.
• Ensure training programs, certifications and learning activities are delivered effectively.
• Monitor progress in developing AI capabilities across Energy Industries.
• Support AI Factory Steering Committee activities.
• Prepare reporting and decision-support materials.
• Ensure adherence to governance processes.
• Support business-case governance, investment tracking and portfolio transparency.

Skills

Program delivery

Operations management

PMO leadership

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional leadership

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related field

Job description

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner—and every person here makes that happen. You’ll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

Operational Excellence Manager

This position reports to: Operational Excellence Manager.

Your Role And Responsibilities

Energy Industries is establishing an AI Factory as the AI Transformation Engine for the division. The AI Factory will combine governance, expertise, delivery capabilities, reusable assets and capability development to accelerate and scale AI transformation. As AI Factory Operations Manager, you will operate this transformation engine. You will establish a transparent, scalable and predictable delivery environment that enables AI initiatives to move effectively from prioritization through development and deployment. You will orchestrate delivery resources, manage portfolio execution, optimize capacity, coordinate partners and continuously improve the performance of the AI Factory ecosystem.

Global Opportunity – Open to Candidates Worldwide

While this job posting may display only a limited number of locations, we welcome applications from qualified candidates globally. If you believe your skills and experience are matching this role, we encourage you to apply regardless of your current location. This position does not require relocation. The successful candidate will be employed and hosted through their current ABB location or the nearest suitable ABB office.

• Operate and continuously improve the day-to-day AI Factory delivery framework.
• Maintain portfolio visibility and provide clear performance reporting.
• Establish effective operational governance and working practices.
• Coordinate delivery activities across the divisional AI portfolio.
• Maintain transparency on status, risks, dependencies, capacity and delivery performance.
• Ensure effective stage-gate execution and delivery against cost, time and quality expectations.
• Support portfolio prioritization and capacity planning.
• Evaluate the capability, effectiveness and performance of internal delivery teams.
• Identify development and improvement opportunities across those teams.
• Recommend scaling, restructuring, consolidation or closure actions when appropriate.
• Coordinate external delivery partners and vendors.
• Work with the AI Lead Architect to determine the most appropriate internal, external or combined delivery approach.
• Manage operational delivery performance within authority delegated by the AI Factory Steering Committee.
• Coordinate the execution of AI Academy initiatives.
• Ensure that training programs, certifications and learning activities are delivered effectively.
• Monitor progress in developing AI capabilities across Energy Industries.
• Support AI Factory Steering Committee activities.
• Prepare reporting and decision-support materials.
• Ensure adherence to approved governance processes.
• Support business-case governance, investment tracking and portfolio transparency.

Qualifications For The Role

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Technology, Program Management or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in program delivery, operations management, PMO leadership, transformation, consulting or a comparable environment.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary or virtual delivery teams.
• Experience working with executive stakeholders.
• Strong planning, governance and operational management capabilities.
• Experience managing delivery risks, dependencies, capacity and performance.
• Professional fluency in English.
• Willingness to travel internationally approximately 20 percent.

Preferred Background

• Experience in AI, analytics, digitalization, automation or technology delivery.
• Experience in an industrial, energy, engineering or technology environment.
• Experience in consulting, a startup or a scale-up environment.
• Experience coordinating external delivery partners and vendors.
• Experience designing or improving delivery operating models.

We will appreciate, if you

• Bring a builder mindset and strong operational discipline.
• Create order, visibility and momentum in complex environments.
• Are a pragmatic and data-driven problem solver.
• Balance delivery speed with quality and governance.
• Are comfortable operating under ambiguity and changing priorities.
• Influence teams and partners without relying solely on formal reporting lines.
• Focus on execution, learning and continuous improvement.
• Have the resilience and drive needed to establish a new global capability.
• This opportunity is open to candidates in multiple countries, with the final work location determined based on the selected candidate. As compensation may vary by location, we are committed to being transparent throughout the hiring process and will share details of the salary range, variable compensation and benefits package with candidates who progress to the first interview stage for a location in the European Union, covered by the EU Pay Transparency Directive.

The final offer will be tailored based on your role location, experience, skills and qualifications, internal market positioning and alignment with ABB internal standards.

Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.