Program Manager & AI Automation Lead

Excelerate; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 229,233,000 - 286,541,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits Eligible

Job summary

Excelerate in Irvine is seeking a Program Manager & AI Automation Lead to drive a high-impact initiative that ties operational excellence to automated processes. You will blend hands-on technical program management with designing, building, and delivering AI-agent–driven automation that becomes a core project deliverable.

The role requires 7+ years in technical program management in large-scale tech, hands-on automation development with Jira/Smartsheet integrations, and strong executive

Qualifications

• 7+ years of technical program management experience in platform, infrastructure, or high-scale technology environments.
• Hands-on experience designing and delivering AI-agent automation connected to live data and workflows.
• Experience integrating with Jira and Smartsheet and building dashboards.
• Experience with AI governance, including validation controls, auditability, and human-in-the-loop processes.
• Strong operational knowledge of incident management, SDLC, and distributed systems.
• Excellent executive communication and ability to drive cross-functional delivery through influence.
• Highly proactive and comfortable operating in fast-moving, complex technology environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead program execution across a portfolio of 55+ production services, including executive operating reviews, incident and RCA tracking, readiness activities, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Establish program scope, priorities, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, and success measures while coordinating execution across multiple teams.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to streamline or replace manual program processes through automation.
• Design, build, and productionize AI-agent automation, including ticketing and routing, cross-platform reconciliation, program telemetry, executive reporting, and automated follow-up workflows.
• Direct multiple AI agents toward defined outcomes, establishing appropriate context, acceptance criteria, validation controls, and human-in-the-loop processes.
• Ensure automation is reliable, auditable, and maintainable, with appropriate documentation and runbooks.
• Communicate program progress, risks, decisions, and outcomes clearly and concisely to senior technology leadership.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and drive commitments through influence, proactive communication, and consistent follow-through.

Skills

Executive communication

Cross-functional leadership

Proactive communication

Incident management

SDLC

Tools

Jira

Smartsheet

Job description

We\'re seeking a Program Manager & AI Automation Lead to lead a high-impact technical initiative focused on strengthening operational excellence while automating the manual processes that support it. You\'ll combine hands‑on technical program management with the design, build, and delivery of AI-agent‑driven automation, with working solutions as a core project deliverable.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead program execution across a portfolio of 55+ production services, including executive operating reviews, incident and RCA tracking, readiness activities, and cross‑functional initiatives.
• Establish program scope, priorities, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, and success measures while coordinating execution across multiple teams.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to streamline or replace manual program processes through automation.
• Design, build, and productionize AI-agent automation, including ticketing and routing, cross‑platform reconciliation, program telemetry, executive reporting, and automated follow‑up workflows.
• Direct multiple AI agents toward defined outcomes, establishing appropriate context, acceptance criteria, validation controls, and human‑in‑the‑loop processes.
• Ensure automation is reliable, auditable, and maintainable, with appropriate documentation and runbooks.
• Communicate program progress, risks, decisions, and outcomes clearly and concisely to senior technology leadership.
• Build strong cross‑functional relationships and drive commitments through influence, proactive communication, and consistent follow‑through.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of technical program management experience in platform, infrastructure, or high‑scale technology environments, with a proven track record leading complex technology initiatives from planning through implementation and transition.
• Hands‑on experience designing and delivering AI‑agent‑driven automation connected to live data and workflows.
• A track record of personally building automation and workflows yourself, including API integrations to tools like Jira and Smartsheet, building dashboards and tracking systems, and hands‑on experience with AI/agent tools (like Claude, agent frameworks, or similar integration methods).
• Ability to provide examples of automation you\'ve built and shipped, and can clearly explain your individual contribution, how you designed the solution, and the outcomes it produced.
• Experience with AI governance, including validation controls, auditability, and human‑in‑the‑loop processes.
• Strong operational knowledge of incident management, SDLC, and distributed systems; identity, security, or authorization experience is a plus.
• Excellent executive communication and the ability to drive cross‑functional delivery through influence.
• Highly proactive and comfortable operating in fast‑moving, complex technology environments.

Duration

40 hours a week, 10 months

Type

Project-Based Hourly W2, Benefits Eligible

Rate

$80-100/hour