AI Program Manager

Popular; San Juan (PR); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Popular is seeking an AI Program Manager to lead the AI Office’s governance, intake, and portfolio management. You will align AI initiatives with corporate strategy, drive value through high-impact use cases, and ensure Responsible AI practices across partnerships with Risk, Legal, and Cybersecurity.

You will translate strategy into executable programs, collaborate with executives, and provide transparent reporting to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field.
• Master’s degree preferred (MBA or relevant technical discipline).
• Experience in program management, digital transformation, data, analytics, or emerging technology initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain executive ready AI briefing materials and status reporting for Senior Management; coordinate inputs and reviews for leadership and governance forums as needed.
• Partner with Corporate Strategic Planning and the Transformation Office to align AI initiatives with enterprise priorities, financial objectives, and long-term strategy.
• Translate strategic direction into clear AI program objectives, milestones, success metrics, and reporting structures.
• Support and coordinate the AI Working Group in identifying high value AI use cases and strategic focus areas.
• Develop and maintain a prioritization framework aligned to corporate strategy, value potential, feasibility, risk, and organizational readiness.
• Perform capacity planning, dependency mapping, and risk assessment to support informed prioritization and sequencing of AI initiatives.
• Leverage AI tools to prototype, validate, and scale solutions that solve business problems and improve operational efficiency.
• Support evaluation and monitoring of AI vendors and third-party solutions in coordination with Architecture, Cybersecurity, Risk, and Procurement teams.
• Ensure approved AI tools and technologies are documented, governed, and monitored throughout their lifecycle, following established standards and controls.
• Promote and operationalize Responsible AI principles, ensuring ethical use, transparency, security, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Program management

Governance

Cross functional collaboration

Matrix leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field

Master’s degree (MBA or relevant technical discipline) preferred

Job description

Location: San Juan, PR

Company: Popular

Workplace Type: Hybrid

AI Program Manager

AI Program Manager

The AI Program Manager supports the establishment, operation, and maturation of Popular’s AI Office. This position helps drive centralized governance, intake, coordination, and portfolio management of AI related initiatives across the organization. The role also supports delivery of high value AI use cases that can accelerate corporate objectives.

The role helps ensure AI initiatives align with corporate strategy, comply with regulatory and risk requirements, and follow Responsible AI principles. The AI Program Manager partners closely with Corporate Strategic Planning, the Transformation Office, Risk, Legal, Cybersecurity, IT, Digital, Data & Analytics, and business leaders to translate AI strategy into an executable, value driven portfolio.

This role works with guidance from AI Office leadership, interfaces with stakeholders across the enterprise, and supports executive visibility into Popular’s AI strategy and progress through clear reporting and communications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain executive ready AI briefing materials and status reporting for Senior Management; coordinate inputs and reviews for leadership and governance forums as needed.
• Partner with Corporate Strategic Planning and the Transformation Office to align AI initiatives with enterprise priorities, financial objectives, and long-term strategy.
• Translate strategic direction into clear AI program objectives, milestones, success metrics, and reporting structures.

AI Use Case Identification, Prioritization & Acceleration

• Support and coordinate the AI Working Group in identifying high value AI use cases and strategic focus areas.
• Develop and maintain a prioritization framework aligned to corporate strategy, value potential, feasibility, risk, and organizational readiness.
• Perform capacity planning, dependency mapping, and risk assessment to support informed prioritization and sequencing of AI initiatives.
• Leverage AI tools (e.g., copilots, automation, and analytics platforms) to prototype, validate, and scale solutions that solve or ease business problems and improve operational efficiency.
• Support evaluation and monitoring of AI vendors and third-party solutions in coordination with Architecture, Cybersecurity, Risk, and Procurement teams.
• Ensure approved AI tools and technologies are documented, governed, and monitored throughout their lifecycle, following established standards and controls.
• Promote and operationalize Responsible AI principles, ensuring ethical use, transparency, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with AI approval frameworks with Risk, Legal, Compliance, Cybersecurity, and Data Privacy teams.
• Support ongoing monitoring and reporting of AI risk posture and controls to senior management and governing bodies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree is required in Business Administration, Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field.
• Master’s degree (MBA or relevant technical discipline) preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in program management, digital transformation, data, analytics, or emerging technology initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience operating in highly regulated environments, partnering with Risk, Legal, Compliance, and Cybersecurity teams.
• Experience preparing executive level presentations, briefings, and written status updates for leadership audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to implement and improve governance, intake, and portfolio management processes across multiple stakeholders and business units.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and enterprise perspective
• Strong executive communication and influence
• Program and portfolio management
• Governance and risk awareness
• Cross functional collaboration
• Strong ownership, accountability, and ability to operate effectively with guidance in a matrixed environment

Important: The candidate must provide evidence of academic preparation or courses related to the job posting, if necessary.

Our hybrid work model benefit applies to certain positions and is subject to changes based on the organizational needs.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. This position is not open to applicants who need visa sponsorship or transfer of visa sponsorship at this time.

ABOUT US

Popular is Puerto Rico’s leading financial institution and have been evolving since it was founded over a century ago. From a small bank it has developed into a large corporation that offer a wide variety of services and financial solutions to our customers, with presence in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America.

As employees, we are dedicated to making our customers dreams come true by offering financial solutions in each stage of their life. Our extensive trajectory demonstrates the resiliency and determination of our employees to innovate, reach for the right solutions and strongly support the communities we serve; therefore, we value their diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds.

We reaffirm our commitment to always offer essential financial services and solutions for our customers and communities, including during emergency situations and/or natural disasters. Popular’s employees are considered essential workers, whose role is critical in the continuity of these important services even under such circumstances. By applying to this position, you acknowledge that Popular may require your services during and immediately after any such events.

If you have a disability or need more information about requesting an accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail] . This email inbox is monitored for such types of requests only. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed exemptions or reasonable accommodations. Any other correspondence will not receive a response.

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