Job Title: Program Manager - AI Ops & Observability Platform Deployment

Location: Remote with occasional travel to Cambridge

Contract Length/IR35 Status: 6-12 months, Inside IR35

Working Hours: Standard hours, with occasional flexibility required during key phases of deployment

Rate: Competitive - aligned with candidate experience and value

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Program Manager to lead the enterprise-wide rollout of a new strategic AI Ops and Observability Platform. This programme is central to a broader IT transformation initiative focused on enhancing system reliability, reducing downtime, and driving operational excellence.

This is a high-impact role that will shape the observability strategy across all engineering and infrastructure functions. You'll define the platform adoption plan, deliver tooling and service templates, and embed observability practices deeply within workflows, systems, and teams. This is an opportunity to drive lasting change by unifying monitoring frameworks and enabling data-driven decision-making throughout the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of the observability platform deployment - from planning to execution to benefit realisation.
• Define and manage the programme roadmap, aligning resources and mitigating risks to ensure on-time delivery.
• Collaborate across technical teams, business units, and stakeholders to ensure successful integration and adoption of the platform.
• Lead change management activities, building awareness, engagement, and a shift toward proactive incident management and AI Ops practices.
• Establish and manage programme governance structures and reporting mechanisms to track milestones, value delivery, and KPIs.
• Act as the key liaison for vendors and third-party providers, managing service delivery, expectations, and commercial relationships.
• Communicate progress effectively to senior leadership and cross-functional teams, ensuring strategic alignment and accountability.
• Measure and report on impact metrics, driving continuous improvement and platform optimisation.

Must-Have Skills & Experience

• Proven track record of delivering large-scale, cross-functional business or digital transformation programmes.
• Strong expertise in programme planning, governance, and risk management in complex enterprise environments.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage technical and non-technical audiences alike.
• Experience in enterprise IT infrastructure, operations, or DevOps.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Hands-on experience with observability platforms such as Dynatrace, Datadog, Prometheus, Grafana, or Splunk.
• Familiarity with Agile, SAFe, or hybrid delivery methodologies.
• Understanding of ITSM or SRE (Site Reliability Engineering) principles and practices.
• Change Management certification (eg, Prosci, APMG) is a plus.

Why This Role?

This programme is a pivotal part of a strategic transformation journey, with a focus on modernising operational practices and embedding observability as a core capability. If you're passionate about delivering change at scale, working with leading-edge technologies, and engaging cross-functional teams to drive measurable outcomes-this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact.