Program Manager & AI Automation Lead

Excelerate; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 138,000; Part time

Job summary

Excelerate is seeking a Program Manager & AI Automation Lead to drive a high‑impact initiative that strengthens operational excellence by automating manual processes. You will blend hands‑on technical program management with designing, building, and delivering AI‑agent‑driven automation as core outcomes.

The role requires leading a portfolio of 55+ production services, coordinating with cross‑functional teams, and establishing governance, telemetry, and executive reporting to ensure reliable,

Qualifications

• 7+ years of technical program management in platform, infrastructure, or high‑scale environments.
• Hands‑on experience designing and delivering AI‑agent automation connected to live data and workflows.
• Built automation and workflows with API integrations to tools like Jira and Smartsheet, and dashboards.
• Experience with AI governance, including validation controls and human‑in‑the‑loop processes.
• Excellent executive communication and ability to drive cross‑functional delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead program execution across a portfolio of 55+ production services with executive reviews and cross‑functional initiatives.
• Establish scope, priorities, milestones, dependencies, and success measures across teams.
• Identify opportunities to streamline manual processes through automation.
• Design, build, and productionize AI‑agent automation with telemetry and executive reporting.
• Direct AI agents toward defined outcomes with context, acceptance criteria, and human‑in‑the‑loop processes.
• Ensure automation is reliable, auditable, and maintainable with runbooks and docs.
• Communicate progress, risks, decisions, and outcomes to senior technology leadership.
• Build cross‑functional relationships and drive commitments through influence.

Skills

Program management

AI automation

API integrations

Jira & Smartsheet

Dashboards & tracking

AI governance

Executive communication

Tools

Jira

Smartsheet

AI agent tools

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