Program Manager (Partner Ecosystem Operations)

Sustainable Living Lab (SL2) Group; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sustainable Living Lab (SL2) Group in the United States seeks an AI ecosystem Program Manager (Partner Ecosystem Operations) to design and run the program infrastructure that turns expansion into a governed, application-based partner ecosystem.

You will drive cross-functional alignment among technical, legal, marketing, training, and executive stakeholders, set governance rules, vet partners, onboard quickly, and ensure consistent delivery across two 90-day phases with clear milestones.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of program management experience for large, complex organizations.
• Strong facilitation skills with ability to align diverse stakeholders.
• Experience building governance structures and project controls.
• Preferred background in higher education, workforce development, or AI enablement environments.

Responsibilities

• Set governance rules and clear partner joining guidelines.
• Create simple application forms, scoring rubrics, and review processes.
• Translate technical requirements into onboarding readiness checklists.
• Develop a 30-day onboarding plan with starter kits and assets.
• Provide brand guidelines and clear program terminology.
• Maintain dashboards and regular reports on partner performance and health.

Skills

Program management

Facilitation

Cross-functional alignment

Governance

RACI matrices

Education

Higher education experience

Job description

Program Manager (Partner Ecosystem Operations)

Based in the United States; Texas preferred.

Company Description

SL2 is a global ecosystem of organizations dedicated to designing and implementing practical solutions for climate, societal, and digital transitions. Operating across 40 countries in Asia, Europe, and the US, we combine strategic foresight, emerging technology, and grassroots engagement to turn complex challenges into scalable, real-world impact.

Our core focus areas include:

• Climate Futures: Advancing climate resilience, circular economy solutions, and corporate ESG integration.
• Digital Futures: Spearheading workforce upskilling in AI and emerging tech, along with human-centered digital transformation.
• Societal Futures: Driving education innovation through STEM and AI tools, alongside community-led active aging programs.

Role Description

The AI ecosystem initiative accelerates institutional transformation by delivering an end-to-end learning-to-deployment pathway across higher education. By unifying AI curriculum, enterprise technology, faculty enablement, and partner-led implementation, the program translates AI ambition into real-world workforce capability through a governed, multi-partner ecosystem.

We are seeking an AI ecosystem Program Manager (Partner Ecosystem Operations) to design, establish, and execute the program infrastructure required to convert our expansion model into a governed, application-based partner ecosystem. In this role, you will lead the operational foundation that enables qualified OEMs, integrators, professional services organizations, and training providers to apply for, onboard to, and deliver program solutions.

This is a structured 1-year contract assignment, with salary paid across two 90-day increments (probation periods). Phase 1 focuses on designing, validating, and launching the application and qualification framework. Phase 2 focuses on running the inaugural partner cohort, operationalizing onboarding, and delivering a steady-state handoff package.

You will act as an accountable operator driving cross-functional alignment across technical, legal, marketing, training, and executive stakeholders without direct authority.

Key Responsibilities

The Program Manager sets out an organized, repeatable, and scalable operating model to support program scaling.

• Program rules & governance. Set clear guidelines for how partners join, establish who makes key decisions, and track project risks to keep the team aligned.
• Partner vetting & selection. Create simple application forms, fair scoring rubrics, and review processes to evaluate and select qualified partners.
• Technical & setup readiness. Turn complex technical and system requirements into simple checklists so partners meet support, security, and deployment standards before launch.
• Partner onboarding & training. Build a smooth 30-day onboarding plan complete with starter kits and learning assets to help new partners get up to speed quickly.
• Brand & messaging guidelines. Provide clear FAQs, terminology, and logo rules so partners accurately represent the program in the market.
• Tracking & progress reporting. Maintain straightforward project dashboards and weekly/monthly reports to keep sponsors and the client updated on partner performance and overall health.

Requirements

• Minimum 5+ years of program management experience for MNCs or similarly sizable, complex organizations, including building programs from 0 to 1. This may include: building governance structures, RACI matrices from scratch, change control frameworks, tracking risks and dependencies, etc.
• Deep facilitation skills with a track record of driving alignment across technical, legal, finance, sales, marketing, and curriculum stakeholders.
• (Preferred) Prior experience in higher education, workforce development, public sector initiatives, or hardware/software AI enablement environments.
• (Preferred) Broad understanding of technical deployment prerequisites (e.g., managed device environments, containerized software, support tiering) and instructional training delivery.
• Must be based in the United States (Texas preferred) and eligible to work without visa sponsorship (OPT/STEM OPT accepted).

Role Type:

1-yr temporary contract, structured as two 90-day increments. Contract renewal is contingent upon performance.