Job Description
Role Title: Technical Program Manager, AI Transformation
Compensation: $250,000 – $350,000 Base + 20% Bonus + Equity
Location: San Diego or San Francisco (Hybrid – 3 days in office)
The Opportunity
We’re partnering with a fast-scaling, technology-driven financial services company to hire a Technical Program Manager who will sit at the center of a major AI transformation.
This business has already invested heavily in its data and risk capabilities and is now building a dedicated AI function to automate critical decisioning workflows. The opportunity is to join at ground level — helping orchestrate multiple AI initiatives that will reshape how the company operates at scale.
If you thrive in complex environments, enjoy connecting technical and business teams, and want to drive real-world AI impact (not just experimentation), this role offers high ownership and visibility from day one.
Why You Should Work Here
- Build from zero to one: Join a newly formed AI Transformation function at a true inflection point
- Real AI impact: Work on automation that directly affects core business operations and decision-making
- High ownership role: You’ll drive execution, not just coordinate — this is a builder environment
- Direct leadership exposure: Partner closely with senior executives shaping the AI strategy
- Complex, meaningful problems: Tackle challenges across underwriting, data quality, and automation
- Lean, high-performing team: Small team scaling rapidly, where individual contributions matter
The Role
As Technical Program Manager, you will own the execution of multiple concurrent AI and automation initiatives across the business. This is a deeply hands-on role where you’ll manage dependencies, drive delivery, and engage directly in technical and AI-related discussions.
You’ll act as a key operational partner to senior leadership, coordinating across internal teams, external vendors, and offshore engineering resources to ensure initiatives stay on track and deliver measurable outcomes.
This is not a passive oversight position — you’ll be in the detail, solving problems, and helping shape how AI gets deployed in production environments.
What You’ll Own
- End-to-end program management across AI initiatives, including planning, tracking, and risk mitigation
- Coordination across internal engineering, data science, analytics, and external vendor teams
- Management of third-party AI and data vendors, including onboarding, performance evaluation, and delivery oversight
- Execution of AI-driven automation initiatives, particularly within decisioning and workflow processes
- Cross-functional alignment across multiple concurrent projects and stakeholders
- Validation and continuous improvement of AI outputs in partnership with analytics and risk teams
- Program reporting, dependency management, and ensuring delivery against aggressive timelines
What We’re Looking For
Must-Haves:
- 5+ years of Technical Program Management experience in complex, cross-functional environments
- 2+ years of recent experience working on AI/ML, automation, or data-driven products
- Prior experience in fintech (lending, credit, payments, or financial risk environments)
- Strong ability to operate in technical environments alongside engineering and data teams
- Proven track record of delivering 0-to-1 initiatives with clear, measurable impact
- Experience managing third-party vendors and distributed/offshore teams
- Highly execution-oriented mindset — comfortable getting into the weeds to drive outcomes
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Nice-to-Haves:
- Experience in underwriting, credit risk, or financial decisioning systems
- Background in engineering or technical product development
- Exposure to AI-driven workflows (e.g., automation, intelligent document processing, decision engines)
- Experience working across both large enterprises and smaller, high-growth environments
The Focus (First 6–12 Months)
- Drive automation of key decisioning workflows, including AI-led underwriting initiatives
- Onboard and manage new data and AI vendors, ensuring quality and performance
- Partner with analytics and risk teams to validate and refine AI outputs
- Improve operational efficiency and reduce manual effort across core processes
- Help scale AI initiatives from early-stage pilots into production systems
The Stack (Indicative)
AI / Machine Learning · Workflow Automation · Data Vendors · OCR / Document Processing · Decisioning Systems · Distributed Engineering Teams · Risk & Analytics Platforms