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
