Overview
The AI Program Manager will lead the delivery of a public-sector R&D programme focused on the cybersecurity and operational assurance of AI agents. Working with a small team of senior engineers and security specialists, the Program Manager will ensure the integrated delivery of software capabilities and manage the associated complexities of research and development in technical environments. The role includes close collaboration with stakeholders and oversight of integration with existing security systems.
Responsibilities
- Own the integrated programme plan, work breakdown structure, critical path and delivery schedule.
- Lead mobilisation and establish a practical delivery rhythm across engineering, integration, platform, security and evaluation workstreams.
- Maintain control of scope, resources, costs, forecasts, risks, assumptions, issues, dependencies and changes.
- Translate contractual and research outcomes into clear work packages, acceptance evidence and accountable owners.
- Maintain milestone readiness and ensure that supporting technical evidence is available before formal reviews.
- Coordinate external security testing, specialist contributors and practitioner evaluation.
- Lead stakeholder reporting and communicate progress, decisions, risks and evidence clearly.
- Coordinate trial-readiness, exploitation and handover activity towards the end of the programme.
Requirements
- Significant experience leading complex software engineering, cybersecurity, systems or technical R&D programmes.
- Direct personal responsibility for integrated programme planning and delivery control.
- Experience delivering against formal milestones, acceptance criteria or contractual outcomes.
- Evidence of leading multidisciplinary teams containing senior engineers, architects and specialist technical contributors.
- Strong RAID, governance, decision and change-control discipline.
- Ability to communicate credibly with both technical teams and senior stakeholders.
- Preferred experience in cybersecurity or secure-software programmes.
- Experience with AI, autonomous systems or agentic technology.