Director, AI Programs & Strategy

Cytel; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Cytel Inc. is seeking a Director of AI Program Management to oversee and coordinate the organization’s portfolio of AI initiatives, driving planning, execution, governance, and stakeholder alignment across global AI programs.

The role combines program leadership with deep AI knowledge, requiring exceptional communication and organizational skills to manage cross-functional initiatives and external advisors/partners.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project or program management experience, including leading complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Generative AI concepts.
• Experience managing executive stakeholders and external vendors.
• Excellent communication, planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

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.
• 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.
• Coordinate AI competitive intelligence and battleground activities.
• Manage cross-functional teams involved in evaluating emerging AI technologies and market developments.
• Support decision-making through structured program oversight and reporting.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• PhD Education.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

AI knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/technology/engineering/data science

PhD Education

Job description

Cytel Inc. is seeking a Director of AI Program Management to oversee and coordinate the organization’s portfolio of AI initiatives, driving planning, execution, governance, and stakeholder alignment across global AI programs.

The role combines program leadership with deep AI knowledge, requiring exceptional communication and organizational skills to manage cross-functional initiatives and external advisors/partners.