Program Manager, AI Operations

Cengage; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

Cengage is seeking a Program Manager for AI Operations in the United States. You will direct the management of AI initiatives, ensuring smooth delivery and governance across operations.

Responsibilities include vendor onboarding, risk assessments, and coordination with Legal, Privacy, Security, and Procurement. Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration are essential to drive AI adoption and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in program management, operations, governance, or cross-functional tech delivery.
• Experience with FERPA, GDPR, CCPA or similar privacy regulations.
• Experience coordinating vendor contracts, DPAs, MSAs, or governance processes.
• Strong written and verbal executive communication and collaboration with Legal, Procurement, Security, Product, Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Direct the management of enterprise AI initiatives, pilots, and governance activities.
• Coordinate third-party AI intake process including security, privacy, and contract review.
• Maintain criteria matrix for AI vendor approvals and connector decisions.
• Partner with Procurement on AI contracts, DPAs, and commercial terms.
• Maintain approved AI vendor list and reassessments cadence.
• Establish program governance artifacts including workflows, logs, and status reporting.
• Coordinate with AI Enablement, Legal, Privacy, Security, Procurement, Product, Engineering, and Operations teams.
• Track achievements, risks, and readiness across AI initiatives.
• Support onboarding, documentation, communications, and process standardization.

Skills

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Program management

Regulatory compliance

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/IS/PM/technology

Job description

## Program Manager, AI OperationsApply: United States: Full time: Posted Yesterday: R2026-1116**We believe in the power and joy of learning**At Cengage, our employees have a direct impact in helping learners around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.What you'll do here:In the role of Program Manager, AI Operations, you will direct the management of Cengage's AI initiatives, guaranteeing smooth delivery and observance across our operations. Your position will be essential in promoting leading AI adoption and operational productivity within an engaging and inclusive atmosphere.* Manage the operational cadence for enterprise AI initiatives, pilots, vendor onboarding, and governance activities.* Conduct and coordinate vendor risk assessments for AI tools, platforms, and integrations.* Coordinate the third-party AI intake process including security, privacy, and contract review.* Build and maintain the criteria matrix for AI vendor approvals and connector decisions.* Partner with Procurement on AI contracts, DPAs, and commercial terms.* Maintain the approved AI vendor list and periodic reassessment cadence.* Establish and maintain program governance artifacts including intake workflows, decision logs, action tracking, status reporting, and executive updates.* Coordinate collaborators across AI Enablement, Legal, Privacy, Security, Procurement, Product, Engineering, and Operations teams.* Track program achievements, dependencies, risks, and operational readiness across AI initiatives.* Support operational scaling of AI enablement activities including onboarding, documentation, communications, and process standardization.Skills you will need here:* Bachelor's degree in business, Information Systems, Program Management, Technology, or related field.* 5+ years of experience in program management, operations, governance, compliance operations, or cross-functional technology delivery.* Demonstrated experience managing enterprise operational programs or cross-functional initiatives.* Working knowledge of FERPA, GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy/data protection regulations.* Experience coordinating contracts, DPAs, MSAs, or vendor governance processes.* Strong attention to detail and operational rigor.* Excellent collaboration with Legal, Procurement, Security, Product, Engineering, and Business teams.* Ability to move quickly without compromising rigor.* Strong written and verbal executive communication skills including status reporting, meeting facilitation, and operational updates.This is an outstanding chance to create a direct impact on AI adoption and operational efficiency at Cengage through collaboration and innovation. Join us and help build the future of learning!Cengage is committed to working with broad talent pools to attract and hire strong and most qualified individuals. Our job applicants are considered regardless of any classification protected by applicable federal, state, provincial or local laws.Cengage is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities including during our job application process. If you are an applicant with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in our job application process, please contact us at [e-mail].**About Cengage**Cengage, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.**Compensation**At Cengage Group, we take great pride in our commitment to providing a comprehensive and rewarding Total Rewards package designed to support and empower our employees. Click here to learn more about our *Total Rewards Philosophy*.The full base pay range has been provided for this position. Individual base pay will vary based on work schedule, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location. Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range.In this position, you will be eligible to participate in the company’s discretionary incentive bonus program. This position's bonus target amount, which is not guaranteed and is dependent on individual performance and overall company results among other factors, is provided below.# 20% Annual: Individual Target$117,100.00 - $187,300.00 USDCengage, a global edtech company, supports learners, educators and institutions across more than 100 countries. With products serving nearly 16 million digital users across the Higher Education, School, Work and English Language Learning markets, we’ve built a learning ecosystem that connects education to employment. We combine trusted content, AI-powered insights and scalable digital platforms to power learning for every future and drive meaningful outcomes at every stage of the learning journey.