Program Manager - AI

About Us

Since 1989, SHI International Corp. has helped organizations change the world through technology. We’ve grown every year since, and today we’re proud to be a $16 billion global provider of IT solutions and services.

Over 17,000 organizations worldwide rely on SHI’s concierge approach to help them solve what’s next. But the heartbeat of SHI is our employees – all 7,000 of them. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy:

- Our commitment to diversity, as the largest minority- and woman-owned enterprise in the U.S.
- Continuous professional growth and leadership opportunities.
- Health, wellness, and financial benefits to offer peace of mind to you and your family.
- World-class facilities and the technology you need to thrive – in our offices or yours.

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program Manager to lead and govern complex AI infrastructure, AI deployment, and AI transformation programs across the IDCS organization. This role serves as the strategic bridge between Sales, Pre-Sales, Engineering, Integration Services, Operations, Delivery, Cybersecurity, Datacenter, and internal and external customer stakeholders to ensure successful execution of AI-related initiatives while maintaining alignment with business objectives, operational readiness, and customer outcomes.

The AI Program Manager will drive end-to-end program management for AI infrastructure deployments, AI Labs initiatives, GPU-based solutions, AI field deployment programs, automation projects, and AI-driven operational transformation initiatives. The role requires a blend of program management leadership, technical acumen mainly in the AI, Cybersecurity, and Datacenter domains, change management expertise, executive communication skills, and cross-functional coordination capabilities.

Reporting to the Director of PMO, this role will be responsible for ensuring disciplined execution of strategic AI initiatives through robust governance, risk management, dependency oversight, resource coordination, and executive-level reporting. The individual will serve as a key enabler of successful program delivery, organizational alignment, and business value realization.

This position plays a critical role in enabling IDCS to scale AI delivery capabilities while ensuring execution excellence, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and business growth.

The AI Program Manager reports to the Director of IDCS PMO. This position is required to report to the SHI Piscataway, NJ office location as determined by SHI management with some travel.

Role Description

Program Leadership & Governance

- Lead multiple concurrent AI programs and strategic initiatives across Datacenter, AI, and Cyber solution domains.
- Define program objectives, scope, schedules, milestones, dependencies, and success criteria.
- Establish and maintain governance structures, steering committees, executive reviews, and stakeholder communication plans.
- Develop program roadmaps aligned with IDCS strategic priorities and growth objectives.
- Ensure adherence to PMO standards, methodologies, processes, and reporting requirements.
- Facilitate executive decision-making through data-driven program reporting and recommendations.

AI Infrastructure & Deployment Management

- Manage AI infrastructure programs involving GPU clusters, AI factories, high-performance computing platforms, storage, networking, and field deployment initiatives.
- Provide thought management on emerging trends in rack-scale computing, AI infrastructure, liquid cooling, and next-generation data center design.
- Coordinate AI deployment readiness activities across engineering, logistics, integration, field services, operations, and internal and external customer teams.
- Oversee customer onboarding for strategic AI programs and ensure successful execution from concept through production.
- Establish white-glove engagement protocols that become the repeatable standard for onboarding future enterprise and hyperscale customers.
- Manage cross-functional dependency planning and execution across multiple workstreams.
- Ensure operational readiness for large-scale AI engagements and infrastructure implementations.

Strategic Program Management

- Under the guidance of the Director of IDCS PMO, drive the prioritization and governance of AI/Cyber product backlogs to balance business value, strategic alignment, resource availability, and risk.
- Develop portfolio-level visibility into AI programs, resource planning/utilization, demand/capacity analysis, and business outcomes.
- Maintain executive dashboards and KPI reporting for leadership teams.

Cross-Functional Leadership

- Collaborate with:

Sales, Pre-Sales, and Business Development
- Solutions Architects
- Engineering
- Integration Center Operations
- Delivery Teams
- AI/Cybersecurity Teams
- Product Management
- Leadership

- Facilitate alignment across technical and business stakeholders.
- Resolve conflicts, remove roadblocks, and drive accountability across programs.

Risk, Change & Issue Management

- Identify and proactively manage program risks, assumptions, constraints, and dependencies.
- Lead escalation management and executive communications for high-priority issues.
- Establish change management practices and governance controls for AI programs.
- Ensure mitigation strategies are implemented and tracked to closure.

Resource & Capacity Planning

- Coordinate resource demand planning across AI project portfolios.
- Forecast staffing needs and identify capability gaps.
- Support workforce planning and bench-strength development initiatives.
- Contribute to the PMO's strategic vision to improve organizational readiness for future AI growth.

AI Enablement & Continuous Improvement

- Support AI training, certification, and capability development programs.
- Drive adoption of best practices, standards, automation opportunities, and operational efficiencies.
- Identify opportunities to leverage AI technologies to improve delivery performance and customer experience.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on scalability, quality, and delivery excellence.

Customer Onboarding & Executive Engagement

- Own the end-to-end technical onboarding experience for large-scale strategic customers, from initial engagement through production handoff.
- Lead design reviews, solution workshops, and architecture sessions with customer and internal technical teams.
- Serve as the escalation point as required and trusted advisor for customers during onboarding, ensuring commitments are met and expectations are exceeded.
- Proactively identify risks, dependencies, and technical blockers and drive cross-functional resolution with urgency.
- Advise customers on best practices and implementation considerations, ensuring transparent alignment between customer expectations and SHI delivery capabilities prior to execution.

Behaviors and Competencies

- Communication: Can effectively communicate complex ideas and information to diverse audiences, facilitate effective communication between others, and mentor others in effective communication.
- Interpersonal Skills: Can communicate effectively, build relationships, resolve conflicts, influence others, and support others in developing their interpersonal skills in major situations.
- Follow-Up: Can take ownership of tasks, collaborate with others in managing follow-ups, and drive results through effective task completion.
- Collaboration: Can take ownership of team initiatives, foster a collaborative environment, and ensure that all team members feel valued and heard.
- Problem-Solving: Can proactively identify and take ownership of complex problem-solving initiatives, initiate preventative measures, collaborate with others to find solutions, and drive successful outcomes.
- Time Management: Can manage time effectively, accurately estimate the time required for specific tasks, balance multiple tasks, and help others in improving their time management skills.
- Organization: Can oversee complex projects with multiple moving parts, ensure team alignment with organizational systems, and adapt to changing priorities.
- Digital Acumen: Can take ownership of complex digital initiatives, collaborate with others, and drive digital results.
- Leadership: Can take ownership of complex team initiatives, collaborate with others in decision-making processes, and drive team performance.

Skill Level Requirements

Education

- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or related field.
- Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

- 10+ years of progressive Program Management experience.
- 7+ years managing complex technology programs.
- Experience leading cross-functional enterprise initiatives.
- Experience with AI, Cyber, datacenter, infrastructure, cloud, or digital transformation programs.
- Domain understanding of AI/ML infrastructure, including GPU compute platforms, high-performance networking, and advanced cooling solutions.
- Proven success managing executive-level stakeholders and strategic customer engagements.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Technical Knowledge

Preferred experience in one or more of the following:

- AI Infrastructure
- GPU Platforms (NVIDIA ecosystem preferred)
- Datacenter Solutions
- High-Performance Computing (HPC)
- Hybrid Cloud Platforms
- Infrastructure Modernization
- Automation & Orchestration
- Digital Transformation Programs
- Cybersecurity Programs

Preferred Certifications

- PMP (Project Management Professional)
- PMI-PgMP (Program Management Professional)
- PMI-CPMAI (Program Management in Managing AI)
- Certified AI Program Manager (CAIPM)
- NVIDIA AI Certifications
- Cloud Certifications (Azure, AWS, GCP)

Other Requirements

- Required to report to the SHI Piscataway, NJ office location as determined by SHI management.
- Some travel required.
- Ability to work across highly matrixed technical and business organizations.
- Ability to support large-scale AI infrastructure deployments, enterprise customer onboarding, and AI transformation initiatives.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent strategic programs while maintaining governance, operational readiness, and customer satisfaction.

The estimated annual pay range for this position is $160,000 - $220,000 which includes a base salary and bonus. The compensation for this position is dependent on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location and, therefore, will vary from individual to individual. Benefits may include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending.

Equal Employment Opportunity – M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status