Director, AI Program Management

Cytel; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cytel envisions a Director, AI Program Management to oversee its portfolio of AI initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment, governance, and coordinated delivery across a global organization. You will lead cross-functional teams, manage external vendors, and communicate program status to executives, while shaping the roadmap and value realization of AI programs.

This role requires deep experience in program management and AI concepts, with a proven ability to drive complex initiatives from

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in business, technology, engineering, data science, or related field.
• 10+ years of project or program management experience leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience managing strategic programs involving technology or digital transformation.
• Strong understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and generative AI concepts.
• Proven experience managing executive stakeholders and external vendors.
• Excellent communication, planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• PhD Education.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of strategic AI initiatives across the organization.
• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Establish governance frameworks and reporting processes for AI programs.
• Track milestones, risks, dependencies, and overall program performance.
• Coordinate AI-related activities and strategic initiatives.
• Manage relationships with AI technology vendors, consultants, and strategic partners.
• Oversee vendor selection, contract management, performance reviews, and delivery governance.
• Prepare presentations, status reports, and business cases for leadership review.

Skills

Program management

AI technologies

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Technology/Engineering/Data Science

PhD Education

Job description

The Director, AI Program Management will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the organization's portfolio of AI-related initiatives. This role will ensure effective planning, execution, governance, and stakeholder alignment across all AI programs, including AI battleground initiatives and AI vendor management.

The successful candidate will combine strong program management expertise with a solid understanding of AI technologies and their business applications. The role requires exceptional communication, planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to drive complex cross‑functional initiatives across a global organization. This position is intended to progressively assume responsibility for managing and coordinating AI activities currently supported by external advisors and partners.

Program Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of strategic AI initiatives across the organization.

• Develop and maintain integrated project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation.

• Establish governance frameworks and reporting processes for AI programs.

• Track milestones, risks, dependencies, and overall program performance.

AI Portfolio Management

• Coordinate all AI-related activities and strategic initiatives.

• Prioritize projects based on business needs, resource availability, and expected impact.

• Ensure alignment between AI initiatives and corporate objectives.

• Monitor progress and provide regular updates to executive leadership.

AI Battleground Management

• Coordinate AI competitive intelligence and AI battleground activities.

• Manage cross-functional teams involved in evaluating emerging AI technologies and market developments.

• Support decision-making through structured program oversight and reporting.

Vendor Management

• Manage relationships with AI technology vendors, consultants, and strategic partners.

• Oversee vendor selection, contract management, performance reviews, and delivery governance.

• Ensure external partners meet agreed objectives, timelines, and quality standards.

Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Serve as the primary program management lead across business, scientific, technology, and operational teams.

• Facilitate executive reviews, steering committee meetings, and stakeholder communications.

• Drive collaboration and alignment among senior leaders and project teams.

• Prepare presentations, status reports, and business cases for leadership review.

Process & Governance

• Implement program management with best practices and standards.

• Establish metrics and dashboards to measure program effectiveness and ROI.

• Identify and mitigate risks impacting delivery timelines or business outcomes.

• Promote continuous improvement in AI project execution and governance.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Technology, Engineering, Data Science, or related field.

• 10+ years of project or program management experience, including leading complex, cross‑functional initiatives.

• Demonstrated experience managing strategic programs involving technology or digital transformation.

• Strong understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Generative AI concepts.

• Proven experience managing executive stakeholders and external vendors.

• Excellent communication, planning, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.

• PhD Education.

Preferred

• PMP, PgMP, Agile, Prince2, or equivalent project management certification.

• Experience managing enterprise AI transformation programs.

• Experience within life sciences, healthcare, technology, or consulting environments.#LI-KO1

Cytel Inc. is an Equal Employment / Aff… Employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by law.