AI Operations Program Lead

Cengage; United States; On-site; USD 117,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

Cengage is seeking a Program Manager, AI Operations, to direct management of AI initiatives and ensure smooth delivery across our operations. You'll promote AI adoption and operational productivity in a collaborative environment.

You'll coordinate governance, vendor risk assessments, contracts, and collaboration with Legal, Security, Procurement, Product, Engineering, and Operations to scale AI enablement across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in business, information systems, program management, technology or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in program management, operations, governance, compliance operations, or cross-functional technology delivery.
• Experience managing enterprise operational programs or cross-functional initiatives.
• Working knowledge of privacy regulations (FERPA, GDPR, CCPA, etc.).
• Experience coordinating contracts, DPAs, MSAs, or vendor governance processes.
• Strong attention to detail and operational rigor.
• Excellent collaboration with Legal, Procurement, Security, Product, Engineering, and Business teams.
• Ability to move quickly without compromising rigor.
• Strong written and verbal executive communication skills including status reporting and updates.

Responsibilities

• Manage operational cadence for enterprise AI initiatives, pilots, vendor onboarding, and governance activities.
• Conduct and coordinate vendor risk assessments for AI tools, platforms, and integrations.
• Coordinate third-party AI intake including security, privacy, and contract review.
• Build and maintain criteria matrix for AI vendor approvals and connector decisions.
• Partner with Procurement on AI contracts, DPAs, and commercial terms.
• Maintain approved AI vendor list and periodic reassessment cadence.
• Establish and maintain program governance artifacts including intake workflows and executive updates.
• Coordinate collaborators across AI Enablement, Legal, Privacy, Security, Procurement, Product, Engineering, and Operations.
• Track program achievements, risks, and readiness across AI initiatives.
• Support scaling of AI enablement activities including onboarding, documentation, and process standardization.

Skills

Program management

Operations governance

Compliance operations

Cross-functional delivery

Executive communication

Vendor governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, information systems, program management, technology, or related field

Job description

Cengage is seeking a Program Manager, AI Operations, to direct management of AI initiatives and ensure smooth delivery across our operations. You'll promote AI adoption and operational productivity in a collaborative environment.

You'll coordinate governance, vendor risk assessments, contracts, and collaboration with Legal, Security, Procurement, Product, Engineering, and Operations to scale AI enablement across the organization.