Job Description

A job that matters: your tasks

As dormakaba accelerates its AI transformation, we need a dedicated AI Program Manager role to lead and coordinate our growing portfolio of AI initiatives. This is a high-visibility position sitting at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and governance - requiring someone who can bring structure to complexity, translate ambiguity into actionable plans, and engage confidently at executive level.

You will own the program lifecycle for AI initiatives end-to-end: from shaping investment cases and securing EC-level decisions, to orchestrating delivery across a multi-vendor ecosystem and ensuring that AI deployments land with measurable business impact. This role operates without a dedicated PMO support layer - you are expected to be both the strategic lead and the hands-on delivery driver across multiple concurrent initiatives.

Strategic Direction & Executive Engagement

• Define and drive the strategic program roadmap for AI initiatives within dormakaba.
• Prepare executive-ready (EC-ready) decision papers and investment proposals, including comprehensive options assessments with financial and qualitative justification.
• Translate complex AI concepts and technical trade-offs into clear, compelling narratives for senior business and C-suite audiences.
• Represent AI program status and risks at steering committees and executive governance forums.
• Own value KPIs across AI initiatives - including productivity gains, revenue uplift, cost reduction, and risk reduction.
• Be accountable for post-go-live value tracking, not just delivery completion.
• Hold a clear mandate to stop, pivot, or scale AI initiatives based on value evidence.

Program and Project Execution

• Concurrently own and proactively drive 3–5 AI use case projects at varying stages of maturity.
• Lead end-to-end program management across the full AI initiative lifecycle - from ideation and business case through to deployment and benefits realisation.
• Own project-level artefacts across each initiative: sprint plans, dependency maps, test and acceptance criteria, and go-live checklists.
• Act as the escalation point and decision-maker within each project - not just reporting upward, but resolving issues and unblocking delivery.
• Establish and maintain program governance structures, RACI models, and control frameworks.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate program risks, ensuring compliance with security and regulatory requirements is embedded throughout.
• Drive structured demand management and prioritization across competing AI workstreams.
• Actively analyze and optimize the AI operating model, identifying accelerators to deliver AI solutions faster.
• Help recruit the relevant resources to feed the agile AI operating model and AI Centre of Excellence (CoE).

Ecosystem Coordination

• Structure and coordinate the complex stakeholder landscape spanning internal business units, IT teams, AI vendors, and system integrators.
• Manage vendor performance and contractual obligations for AI-related engagements.
• Ensure seamless alignment between technical implementation teams and business owners throughout delivery.

Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Monitor AI technology trends and bring informed, practical recommendations to program strategy.
• Build AI program management capabilities and best practices within the PPM team.
• Contribute to the development of the PPM methodology as it adapts to AI delivery patterns.

An experience that matters: your skills

Core Competencies

• Proven program and project management track record - demonstrated ability to deliver complex, multi-workstream programs and projects on time and within scope.
• AI domain expertise with hands-on implementation experience - deep understanding of AI/ML technologies and real-world deployment, not just advisory work.
• Executive presence and stakeholder influence - comfortable engaging and driving decisions with C-suite and senior leadership in ambiguous environments.
• Preferably Management Consulting experience (Tech, Boutique, or Big 4).
• EC-ready communication and storytelling - ability to craft decision-ready materials including options assessments, business cases, and investment justifications (financial and qualitative).
• Complex ecosystem management - experience coordinating multiple concurrent workstreams, vendors, and stakeholders across geographies and functions.
• Security and compliance awareness - understanding of governance and risk requirements as they apply to AI initiatives, with controls embedded into delivery.
• Structured problem-solving - ability to bring clarity to fast-moving situations with strong analytical and prioritisation skills.
• Comfortable operating without a dedicated PMO support layer - self-sufficient, proactive, and delivery-accountable.

Essential Experience

• 8+ years leading complex, international IT implementation programs.
• Proven track record managing programs with budgets exceeding $5M and cross-functional teams.
• Deep expertise in Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Demonstrated success presenting to and influencing C-level executives.
• Strong vendor and partner management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience with outsourcing service delivery and governance models.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent program management certification.
• P&L management experience.
• Change management and organisational transformation expertise.
• Business case development and benefits realisation tracking.
• Multi-vendor ecosystem management in a global enterprise context.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to travel occasionally for key program events and stakeholder engagements.
• Fluent English required; fluent German is a strong advantage.

A workplace that matters: Our Offering

• Best opportunities in a globally operating company valuing diversity, inclusion, sustainability and mutual trust
• Attractive remuneration package
• Opportunity for flexibility with a hybrid working model
• Home office allowance
• 25 days paid annual leave
• Additional health insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (Mental Health, Legal & Financial Counselling
• 102.26 EUR Food vouchers
• Public transportation card
• Optional parking space
• Multisport card
• Language training opportunity
• Employee referral program
• Brand new modern office premises in a class A Business building
• Fresh fruits in the office
• Training and mentorship programs
• Access to over 15,000 LinkedIn Learning courses to assist in your development