Program Manager & AI Automation Lead

Excelerate; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 138,000; Part time

Job summary

Excelerate in Los Angeles seeks a Program Manager & AI Automation Lead to drive a high-impact initiative combining technical program management with AI-driven automation across 55+ production services. You will lead cross-functional teams, design scalable automation, and deliver measurable improvements in operational efficiency.

The role requires hands-on experience building automation with live data, strong governance, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a fast-moving technology

Qualifications

• 7+ years of technical program management in platform, infrastructure, or high-scale technology environments.
• Hands-on experience designing and delivering AI-agent automation connected to live data and workflows.
• Track record of building automation and workflows, including API integrations with Jira/Smartsheet.
• Experience with AI governance, validation controls, and human-in-the-loop processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead program execution across a portfolio of 55+ production services and coordinate executive reviews.
• Define scope, milestones, dependencies, and success metrics across multiple teams.
• Identify opportunities to streamline manual processes through automation.
• Design, build, and productionize AI-agent automation including workflows and dashboards.
• Direct multiple AI agents toward defined outcomes with validation and runbooks.
• Ensure automation is reliable, auditable, and well-documented.
• Communicate progress, risks, and decisions to senior technology leadership.
• Build cross-functional relationships and drive commitments through influence.

Skills

PM leadership

AI automation

Cross-functional

Executive communication

Incident management

SDLC

Security awareness

Tools

Jira

Smartsheet

Claude

Agent frameworks

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