IT Project Manager

Join a forward-thinking enterprise as a Senior AI Technical Project Manager, leading high-impact artificial intelligence initiatives across cross-functional teams. Drive complex AI solutions from concept to production in a dynamic, matrixed environment. Use your technical fluency and disciplined orchestration skills to deliver business value, influence outcomes, and create alignment without direct reporting authority. This is a high-visibility contract role located in Bolingbrook, IL (remote flexibility available), ideal for a strategic leader passionate about AI delivery excellence., Orchestrate end-to-end AI project delivery, from integrated planning and timeline management to production readiness and business adoption

• Develop and maintain a single, credible delivery plan spanning AI, Data Science, Architecture, Engineering, Testing, Product, and Business workstreams
• Lead delivery ceremonies, decision forums, and executive communications to ensure project transparency and momentum
• Proactively identify and resolve cross-team risks, dependencies, and capacity constraints
• Facilitate quality gates, UAT, and production-readiness reviews with clear evidence and accountable approvals
• Coordinate test governance, lifecycle integration, defect triage, and release-impact decisions in collaboration with Engineering and QA/Responsible AI
• Drive adoption of consistent AI delivery practices, templates, controls, and metrics across the portfolio
• Manage portfolio-level quality reviews, escalation paths, and ensure decision rights remain with accountable leaders
• Continuously improve delivery standards and operational effectiveness in partnership with functional and portfolio leaders

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• 7+ years of technical project/program management experience delivering complex, cross-functional technology initiatives
• 2+ years supporting AI, Machine Learning, Data Science, or Generative AI solutions
• Proven ability to manage multi-team delivery in a matrixed organization without direct authority
• Strong command of Agile, hybrid, and product-oriented delivery practices (release planning, dependency management, RAID management, executive reporting)
• Working knowledge of the AI solution lifecycle, including data readiness, experimentation, model evaluation, integration, testing, deployment, monitoring, Responsible AI controls
• Excellent facilitation, negotiation, conflict-resolution, written communication, and executive presentation skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with generative AI, large language models, RAG, conversational AI, recommendation, computer vision, or predictive analytics
• Familiarity with cloud AI platforms, APIs, data platforms, MLOps/LLMOps, CI/CD, observability, security, privacy, and model governance
• Relevant certifications (PMP, PgMP, PMI-ACP, SAFe, Scrum, etc.)
• Background in retail, consumer, digital commerce, loyalty, marketing technology, or other high-volume customer-facing environments, must have technical AI skills this is a very senior program/delivery manager

High-visibility AI leadership role with direct impact on enterprise AI strategy and execution

• Opportunity to partner with top technical and business leaders in cutting-edge AI delivery
• Culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and executive support
• Remote flexibility and a collaborative, empowered work environment
• Contract position-competitive compensation