Director, AI Solutions & Programs

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company (‘SpinCo’) comprised of most of NBCUniversal’s cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Job Description

The Director, AI Solutions & Programs oversees the AI Solutions Program Managers in support of NBCU Business Partners by ensuring the effective execution of large-scale AI technology programs as well as process improvement activities in support of strategic business objectives.  He/she will collaborate with leaders and stakeholders from all Business units, Enterprise Engineering, TechOps and other technology portfolios to ensure proper cross functional coordination & execution across delivery teams from initiation to completion. The Director, AI Solutions & Programs will oversee a team of Senior Program Managers and Technical Project Managers leading program.

The Director, AI Solutions & Programs will be responsible for leading the BU leads driving the end-to-end delivery of strategic AI initiatives in support of multiple BUs. The Director will be responsible for cost, schedule, performance, and execution of Enterprise Programs. They will also also be responsible for implementing program management structure leveraging Enterprise tools, processes, and procedures. They will be directing program managers who manage core programs/initiatives in collaboration with scrum leadership on sprints, planning, scheduling, requirements gathering, validation, documentation, and release management. 

Responsibilities:

• Strategizes, implements, and maintains program initiatives and activities that adhere to the departments mission, short term and long-term goals, and broader organizational objectives Develops benchmarks and assessment protocols for evaluation and improvement
• Coordinates the work of multiple operational teams ensuring program goals are reached as quickly and efficiently as possible
• Develops new programs to support the strategic direction of the organization.
• Performs a program manager’s role demonstrating leadership leading, advocating, applying, enforcing, and maintaining agile best-practices in planning, coordination, documentation development and organization, risk management, implementation, testing, and validation
• Manages a team with a diverse array of talents and responsibilities to ensure the program’s success as a whole
• Ensures that all aspects of portfolio, programs, initiatives, cost, quality, timing, and scope meet business requirements
• Directs the planning and execution of multiple programs to meet the goals traced for achieving larger organizational goals successfully
• Assists development organization during the implementation, integration, verification, and certification phases of a program to help mediate discrepancies and communicate decisions back to Executive Management
• Ensures external teams align with all goals and objectives; ensure complete transparency between internal and external teams.
• Conducts regularly scheduled project team meetings to review progress, discuss critical issues, make decisions, refine plans, and keep team members informed of changes in requirements and the development plan to ensure complete alignment with the program strategy.
• Identifies impediments and assists the team with removing roadblocks to ensure successful program deliveries.
• Provides support and guidance to the project teams fostering teamwork, improving communications, providing suggestions and advice regarding better ways to accomplish objectives Identifies and pro-actively manages program risks.
• Holds retrospective sessions and gives a clear vision of the lessons learned to prevent repeating past mistakes.
• Manages program and project teams for optimal return-on-investment, and coordinate and delegate cross-project initiatives
• Analyzes, evaluates, and overcomes program risks, and produces program reports for management. Works under the direct supervision of the VP, AI Solutions and is responsible for completing any other tasks as assigned by manager as needed.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Management, or related field preferred
• 10+ years of work experience working with large scale program / project management
• Experience with both vendor-managed and non-vendor-managed solutions and third-party team resources
• Collaborate with O&T teams aligned to PRISM org as well as BU Leaders to ensure end-effective execution of programs
• Provide oversight on delivery of AI Key Initiatives that directly impact internal departments and their customers
• Provide hands-on direction and leadership in analyzing and resolving operational challenges related to the PRISM Programs and initiatives
• Experience building and leading a project management office through design and implementation of PMO tools and processes
• Experience in growing organization and developing a team culture
• Successfully managed a large portfolio, program with multiple stakeholders
• Communication and interpersonal experience, including relationship building and collaboration with a cross-functional team
• Deep understanding of Project Management Methodologies, including Agile, Scrum, and Waterfall
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with excellent presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to prioritize effectively, think independently and problem solve to ensure all projects are completed in an effective and timely manner
• Results-oriented with a history of problem resolution
• Ability to manage a high volume of details with excellent accuracy
• Effectively handle sensitive and confidential matters
• Always provide positive solutions to the problem. Strong sense of ownership
• Appropriate sense of urgency and commitment for critical deliverables
• Adaptable with history of leading effectively under pressure and through significant change
• A true collaborator and team player who can encourage and promote one team across groups to meet common goals and add value

Desired Characteristics:

• Proficiency in project management applications
• Exceptional leadership, time management, facilitation, and organizational skills
• Self-starter who exhibits ownership on assigned tasks and who will push for solutions that solve immediate problems while building towards long-term goals
• Ability to multitask and work in a fast paced, dead-line driven environment
• Accustomed to working in a team and collaborating with all levels within the organization
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail
• Ability to build rapport with clients and manage expectations
• Ability to effectively be flexible in approach, and respond well to pressure
• Experience within media and entertainment industry

Additional Requirements:

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary range: $150,000 – $190,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible)

We are accepting applications for this position on an ongoing basis.

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.