Sr. AI Product Manager

Onward Search is hiring a Sr. AI Product Manager for a 6-month+ contract in El Segundo, CA, with a leader in the Toy and Entertainment industry. This hybrid role involves overseeing the planning, development, tracking, and enablement of a wide-ranging AI project portfolio. The manager will collaborate across the organization to identify and implement AI-powered business models, drive change management, and ensure projects align with company goals, serving as the primary point of contact for AI program activities.

Must Have

• Align and manage organization-wide AI product development.
• Collaborate with business units to understand needs and prioritize AI use cases.
• Lead insight gathering, ideation, and development of new AI-powered business models.
• Lead end-to-end implementation of global AI system, ensuring alignment with goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Serve as primary point of contact for all AI program-related activities.
• Develop detailed project plans including scope, milestones, resource allocation, risk management.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks and issues throughout program lifecycle.
• Develop and execute comprehensive change management strategy.
• Provide training and support to end-users and stakeholders.
• Manage program budgets, ensuring cost efficiency and transparency.
• Bachelor's Degree in IT, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field.
• 10 - 15+ years of experience in IT Program Management, with a focus on SaaS cloud implementations.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Trello).
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements related to AI systems.
• Proven success in leading large-scale, complex AI projects and implementations.
• Experience in building and scaling platforms leveraging generative and agentic AI.
• Significant understanding of AI in business domains, ML fundamentals, and algorithm work.

Good to Have

• Master’s Degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, or ITIL).

Perks & Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Program
• Commuter Benefit
• eLearning & Ongoing Training
• Education Reimbursement

Onward Search is a specialized staffing and talent solutions company that helps professionals find top jobs with the nation’s leading brands. We’re hiring a Sr. AI Product Manager to join our client, a leader in the Toy and Entertainment industry committed to innovation and excellence. This is a 6-month+ contract opportunity in a hybrid role based in El Segundo, CA.

In this position, you’ll work on the Product Program Manager, AI Team to oversee the planning, development, tracking, and enablement of a wide-ranging AI project portfolio. You’ll collaborate across the organization to identify and implement AI-powered business models, drive change management, and ensure projects align with company goals.

Sr. AI Product Manager Responsibilities:

• Align and manage organization-wide AI product development.
• Collaborate with business units to understand their needs through ideation sessions, hackathons, etc., and prioritize use cases to adopt AI technologies.
• Lead insight gathering, ideation, and development of new AI-powered business models; champion them through senior management and cross-functional teams for approval.
• Lead the end-to-end implementation of the global AI system, ensuring alignment with business goals, timelines, and budgets.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all AI program-related activities.
• Develop detailed project plans, including scope, milestones, resource allocation, risk management, and contingency planning.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks and issues throughout the program's lifecycle.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive change management strategy to facilitate user adoption and minimize disruption.
• Provide training and support to end-users and stakeholders.
• Manage program budgets, ensuring cost efficiency and transparency.

Sr. AI Product Manager Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field.
• Preferred Master’s Degree or relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, or ITIL) (preferred).
• 10 - 15+ years of experience in IT Program Management, with a focus on SaaS cloud implementations.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Trello).
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements related to AI systems.
• Proven success in leading large-scale, complex AI projects and implementations.
• Experience in building and scaling platforms and capabilities leveraging generative and agentic AI for enterprises.
• Significant understanding of the use of AI in business domains, including ML fundamentals and familiarity with algorithm work.

Perks & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Life Insurance.
• 401(k) Program.
• Commuter Benefit.
• eLearning & Ongoing Training.
• Education Reimbursement.

*Eligibility requires working over 30 hours per week on an assignment lasting at least 10 weeks.

If you meet the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, apply today! Our team will connect with you to discuss next steps, support you through the interview process, and advocate for your success.