Program Manager (AI)

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager III to support the National Weather Service (NWS) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program. The successful candidate will provide strategic program management, policy support, stakeholder coordination, and executive-level communications to advance AI and Machine Learning (AI/ML) initiatives across NWS and the broader National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

This role requires a highly organized professional with experience managing complex, cross-functional programs involving federal stakeholders, scientific organizations, research communities, and technology teams. The individual will serve as a key advisor supporting AI strategy development, policy implementation, governance activities, and enterprise-wide collaboration efforts.

Duties:
User Needs and Project Management

• Translates complex business challenges and user feedback into actionable technical requirements for AI-driven solutions.
• Oversees the lifecycle of AI initiatives from a technical perspective by prioritizing features that maximize organizational value while managing resource constraints and risks.
• Coordinates between cross-functional teams to ensure that project milestones meet both technical benchmarks and user expectations.

Technical Consultation

• Provides expert guidance to development teams on AI architectural design, model selection, and the implementation of best practices, including testing and maintenance.
• Conducts rigorous technical reviews of proposed and ongoing AI projects to assess feasibility, security, performance standards, and risk.
• Identifies potential technical bottlenecks and ethical considerations in AI workflows and recommends proactive solutions to timely and responsible delivery.

Technical Development

• Leads the end-to-end development of AI projects for NWS enterprise priorities that do not have a development team, ensuring they are built for production-grade reliability and scalability.
• Supports the development of proof-of-concepts to test emerging AI technologies and their potential application within the enterprise.

Communications

• Distills sophisticated AI concepts and model performance metrics into clear, non-technical insights for executive leadership and stakeholders.
• Facilitates dialogue between developers, data scientists, engineers, and product owners to maintain clarity on project goals and ensure continuous feedback.
• Supports the communication of current NWS AI capabilities as well as future AI opportunities, presenting technical progress, strategic wins, and possibilities in formal reports and briefings.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Project Management, Science, Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
• Minimum 12 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years of program or project management experience supporting complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-stakeholder projects involving government, research, technical, or scientific organizations.
• Experience supporting executive leadership through strategic planning, communications, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of executive briefings, reports, and presentations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Experience supporting federal agencies, particularly NOAA, NWS, or other scientific and research organizations.
• Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or emerging technology programs.