AI Transformation Program Lead

Job Description ***Please note: This position is hybrid and not fully remote. Candidates must be based in the Houston area, as relocation assistance is not provided. Only individuals authorized to work in the U.S. will be considered.*** Job Title: AI Transformation Program Lead Job Type: Contract * This role is a 12-month assignment. Job Salary: $74-$76/hour *dependent on experience* Job Schedule: M-F, 40 hrs/week Job Location: Houston, TX 77002 Role Summary We are seeking an experienced AI Transformation Program Lead to spearhead strategy, planning, and delivery of enterprise AI and GenAI initiatives. The role will own program roadmaps, governance, vendor relationships, and cross‑functional execution to deliver measurable business outcomes and responsible AI adoption. Key Responsibilities Lead end‑to‑end AI/GenAI programs from ideation and feasibility through development, testing, deployment, and operationalization. Define program roadmaps, milestones, KPIs, and delivery frameworks to ensure timely, on‑budget delivery. Establish AI governance and risk management practices, including model monitoring, validation, and privacy/compliance controls. Partner with business stakeholders to identify high‑value AI use cases and translate technical concepts into business outcomes. Coordinate cross‑functional teams (data science, engineering, product, security, legal, operations) to integrate models into production systems. Manage vendor relationships and platform evaluations for AI tooling, cloud services, and third‑party models. Drive change management and training to accelerate adoption and build AI literacy across the organization. Report program status, risks, and outcomes to senior leadership and executive stakeholders. Requirements Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, Business, or related field. 5+ years of program or project management experience , including leading AI/ML initiatives. Strong understanding of AI/ML concepts and GenAI capabilities , and familiarity with cloud AI platforms (Azure AI, OpenAI, Microsoft Copilot, or equivalent). Proven experience with program management frameworks (Agile, SAFe, or hybrid). Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills. Experience with responsible AI, data privacy, and model governance best practices. PMP, Scrum Master, or other Agile certification preferred. Preferred Experience Demonstrated success delivering enterprise‑scale AI programs and measurable business impact. Experience managing multi‑vendor ecosystems and negotiating contracts. Background in change management, training development, and adoption metrics. Prior work in regulated or public‑sector environments is a plus.