Senior Program Manager Expert (Data & AI | Professional Services)
Role Summary
The Senior Program Manager Expert (Data & AI) is a client-facing Professional Services delivery leader responsible for orchestrating large-scale, complex Data & AI programs across global, multi-vendor environments. This is a senior program leadership role with no direct people management accountability. The role focuses on program governance, delivery assurance, stakeholder management, and mentorship, requiring strong technical understanding across Data & AI domains, but not a hands-on technical background.
Role Positioning
- Senior Program Manager / Delivery Leader (not a functional or line manager)
- No direct HR or people reporting responsibility
- Strong mentorship, coaching, and influence-based leadership
- Technical fluency required; technical execution not required
- Professional Services background mandatory
Mandatory Profile Criteria
- Professional Services / Consulting / System Integration delivery background
- Experience leading enterprise-scale AI & Advanced Analytics programs
- Strong external stakeholder and executive client management experience
- Active involvement in pre-sales and SOW shaping prior to contract sign-off
- Ability to guide technical teams through understanding, not hands-on delivery
Key Responsibilities
- Program Leadership for Large-Scale Data & AI Engagements
Provides end-to-end program leadership for high-risk, client-funded Data & AI engagements across Data Analytics, Data Engineering, Big Data Platforms, BI & Visualization, Advanced Analytics, AI/ML & MLOps, IoT & Edge Analytics, and iVaaS.
- Pre-Sales and SOW Shaping
Acts as senior delivery authority during pre-sales, contributing to solution reviews, estimates, risk identification, and ensuring SOW feasibility before sign-off.
- Financial and Commercial Oversight
Owns program-level financial governance covering revenue, margin, forecasting, utilization, and change control.
- External Stakeholder Management
Manages executive client relationships, leads governance forums, and communicates AI-driven business value.
- Mentorship and Influence-Based Leadership
Mentors project managers and delivery leads, setting standards and best practices without direct reporting lines.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree (any discipline)
- Advanced degree preferred
- 15+ years Professional Services program leadership experience
- PMP and Agile Scrum certifications mandatory
Technical Knowledge Expectations
Strong understanding of Data & AI architectures, AI/ML lifecycle, MLOps, governance, and cloud data platforms. Hands-on technical delivery not required.
