GenAI Program Manager

M&T Bank; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 129,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

M&T Bank is seeking a senior leader to own the enterprise Generative AI program in Buffalo, NY. You will translate AI concepts into scalable initiatives, establish governance, and partner across risk, legal, and business lines to deliver measurable value.

The role requires a heavy emphasis on governance, risk management, and change leadership, with a broad impact across the organization. Expect collaboration with multiple functions to embed AI responsibly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; minimum 10 years’ PM experience.
• Combination of education/work experience may apply (14 years total).
• Strong knowledge of project management methodology.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with executives.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and evolution of Generative AI strategy into programs.
• Develop enterprise AI operating model with governance, funding.
• Partner with risk, legal, compliance to operate safely and compliant.
• Develop and manage the AI initiative roadmap.
• Drive cross-functional execution of AI use cases.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Problem-solving skills

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

PMI PMP certification

Master’s degree

Job description

Overview

Leads the implementation, maturation, and long-term sustainability of the Bank’s Generative AI program. Responsible for translating emerging AI capabilities and conceptual ideas into practical, scalable business solutions that deliver measurable value. Drives the establishment of governance, operating models, risk management frameworks, adoption strategies, and execution disciplines necessary to embed Generative AI capabilities across the organization. Ensures alignment with the Bank’s strategic objectives, regulatory requirements, and risk appetite while navigating a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Manages changes to program scope, priorities, timelines, and investment plans using appropriate governance and change management practices. Maintains flexibility and agility to adapt program direction as AI technologies, regulations, business needs, and market conditions evolve.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and ongoing evolution of the Bank's Generative AI strategy, transforming emerging concepts, opportunities, and executive priorities into actionable programs, capabilities, and business outcomes.
• Establish and maintain a sustainable enterprise Generative AI operating model, including governance, intake and prioritization processes, funding mechanisms, value realization frameworks, and adoption strategies.
• Partner with business, technology, risk, legal, compliance, information security, and data management teams to operationalize Generative AI capabilities in a safe, scalable, and compliant manner.
• Develop and manage the roadmap for Generative AI initiatives, balancing innovation, regulatory expectations, risk management requirements, and business value.
• Drive cross-functional execution of Generative AI use cases from ideation through implementation, ensuring measurable outcomes, adoption, and operational sustainability.
• Establish frameworks, standards, and repeatable processes that enable the organization to scale AI capabilities while maintaining appropriate governance and controls.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and competitive advancements to continuously evolve the Bank's AI strategy and implementation approach.
• Lead organizational change management efforts, promoting awareness, adoption, education, and responsible use of Generative AI capabilities across the enterprise.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, employee productivity, customer experience, and business growth through application of Generative AI and automation technologies.
• Build executive-facing reporting, success metrics, and performance indicators that measure adoption, value delivery, risk management effectiveness, and overall program maturity.
• Improve project team performance by building team cohesiveness, leading, mentoring, training and motivating to facilitate cooperation, ensure project efficiency and boost morale. Determine and coordinate sharing of resources among constituent projects for overall program benefit.
• Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Design, implement, maintain and enhance internal controls to mitigate risk on an ongoing basis. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
• Promote an environment that supports belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
• Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
• Complete other related duties as assigned.
• Exercise usual authority of a manager concerning staffing, performance appraisals, promotions, salary recommendations, performance management and terminations.

Scope of Responsibilities

Responsible for establishing, scaling, and sustaining the Bank's enterprise Generative AI program while managing a portfolio of strategic initiatives. Ensures that Generative AI capabilities are implemented in a manner that aligns with business priorities, regulatory expectations, risk management standards, and long-term strategic objectives.

Serves as a key leader in translating emerging technologies and evolving business needs into practical, executable programs that deliver measurable outcomes. Works across organizational boundaries to drive alignment, remove obstacles, establish governance, and accelerate adoption.

Requires the ability to operate effectively in an environment characterized by evolving technologies, changing priorities, regulatory uncertainty, and significant organizational transformation.

Project Guidelines

• Project Scope: $5.0 m or more
• Team Size Range: 35 - 100 FTE
• Project Duration: 12 - 24 months
• Project Size: Multiple high priority projects
• Project Customer: Entire organization or multiple divisions
• Scope of Change: Substantial changes to business processes or procedures
• Project Timeline: Moderately aggressive
• Project Innovation: Moderately defined
• Project Benefits: Major
• Project Customization: Major
• Number of Interfaces: 6 or more
• Project Integration: Internal and External Systems

Supervisory/ Managerial Responsibilities

Manages a team of 20+ directly and indirectly and 100+ on a project team basis

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 10 years’ proven project management experience,
• OR in lieu of a degree,
• A combined minimum of 14 years’ higher education and/or work experience, including a minimum of 10 years’ proven project management experience.
• Proficiency with personal computers as well as pertinent software packages.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodology.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, particularly an ability to negotiate, influence and gain consensus.
• Regularly communicates verbally and in writing with executive management on status of initiatives, in a professional and understandable manner.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work individually as well as a member of a team.
• Self‑motivated, results‑driven and well‑organized individual.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work under time constraints in support of various assignments.
• Ability to function professionally at many different levels (clients, management and peers).
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary for business partner relationships within and outside the organization.
• Ability to build mutual trust and encourage respect; open to diverse points of view.

Education and Experience Preferred

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification.
• Master’s degree.
• M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $128,900.00 - $214,900.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.

Location

Buffalo, New York, United States of America