Remote AI Program Lead

CAI; Jackson (MS); Remote; USD 110,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401k retirement plan access

Paid time off

Job summary

CAI is seeking an AI Program Manager to lead a portfolio of enterprise AI initiatives, driving cross-functional execution, governance, and successful delivery of business outcomes in a remote contract role.

You will manage budgets, partner with executives, and use Planisware and Jira to monitor progress, risks, and value realization, coordinating data scientists, engineers, IT, security, and compliance across programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field.
• 12+ years of program or project management experience in technology, data, digital transformation, or related environments.
• Experience leading large-scale, cross-functional programs with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to engage, influence, and challenge senior leaders and executives.
• Working knowledge of AI/ML concepts, data pipelines, and deployment considerations.
• Experience using program and portfolio management tools such as Jira, Microsoft Project, Asana, or Smartsheet.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and SDLC practices.
• Basic understanding of cloud platforms and IT infrastructure concepts.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Proven problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Preferred: PMP, PgMP or similar certification.
• Experience managing AI/ML programs or transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of complex, interdependent AI programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives, timelines, budgets, and quality expectations.
• Partner with executive leadership to identify risks, drive critical decisions, remove obstacles, and maintain accountability across stakeholders.
• Provide program‑level reporting on status, risks, dependencies, and value realization to senior leadership.
• Coordinate efforts across data scientists, engineers, business stakeholders, IT operations, security teams, and compliance partners.
• facilitate program kickoffs, steering committee meetings, and post-implementation reviews.
• Assess incoming AI initiatives for feasibility, readiness, business value, and resource requirements.
• Support portfolio prioritization activities by evaluating impact, complexity, risk, and organizational capacity.
• Challenge scope, assumptions, and business cases to ensure realistic plans and measurable success criteria.
• Establish governance frameworks, delivery methodologies, and operational processes balancing innovation, speed, compliance, and quality.
• Serve as a liaison between AI and technology organizations to resolve technical and operational issues and improve service delivery.
• Track and escalate infrastructure, platform, security, and operational roadblocks through resolution.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Executive communication

Agile methodologies

Problem-solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

Jira

Microsoft Project

Asana

Smartsheet

Job description

CAI is seeking an AI Program Manager to lead a portfolio of enterprise AI initiatives, driving cross-functional execution, governance, and successful delivery of business outcomes in a remote contract role.

You will manage budgets, partner with executives, and use Planisware and Jira to monitor progress, risks, and value realization, coordinating data scientists, engineers, IT, security, and compliance across programs.