Agile Project Manager - Research AI/SDLC

Job Title: Project Manager - Research AI
Location: Remote - occasional travel to either the London or Oxford office (once a month)
Salary/Rate: Up to £690 a day Inside IR35
Start Date: November 2025
Job Type: 6 Month Contract (with scope to extend)

Company Introduction

We are seeking an Agile Project Manager with proven experience delivering AI-driven products to lead end-to-end delivery of a strategic AI innovation that supports our clients' Academic and Government business units.

This role is pivotal in ensuring delivery excellence across complex workstreams, from inception to outcome realisation.

Prior experience in building AI involved products and associated technology is a major advantage.

The successful candidate will act as the outcome owner, driving delivery through agile practices and cross-functional collaboration. You'll be accountable for delivering measurable business value while ensuring robust governance, stakeholder alignment, and seamless integration with the companies broader technology ecosystem.

About you

• Proven experience leading product-driven innovation projects end-to-end in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Mindset to drive the project forward through proactive management of risk
• Strong background in stakeholder management with the ability to influence and align diverse groups.
• Experience driving product vision and strategy into actionable delivery plans
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to manage budgets, resources, and delivery schedules with discipline and flexibility.
• Strong background in Agile, Lean, or Scaled Agile (SAFe) delivery methods.
• Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, MS Project, or other delivery management platforms.
• Prior experience in building AI involved products and associated technology is a plus.

Required Skills/Experience

• Proven experience working as a Technical Project Manager in an Agile environment.
• Have experience delivering a product using AI and driving innovation.
• Strong experience with Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban, etc.) and proficiency in using Jira for tracking and project management.
• Solid understanding of the full project life cycle, from planning and execution to delivery and post-project review.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Strategic Delivery Ownership

• Lead the full project life cycle from discovery through execution to benefits realisation.
• Translate business strategy into executable delivery plans, aligned with business goals and priorities.
• Collaborate with teams to deliver solutions that align with our strategy whilst enabling future innovation and revenue opportunities.
• Define, scope, and own delivery roadmaps across all areas of the transformation with clear milestones and outcome metrics.
• Ensure that the transformation supports scalable, sustainable growth and improves our customers' experience

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate closely with product managers, business sponsors, engineers, and data teams to define and align on project objectives, KPIs, and value outcomes.
• Act as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, shaping and communicating the vision for the transformation.
• Ensuring transparency, alignment, and consistent communication across stakeholders at all levels.
• Build strong relationships with product managers, engineers, architects, and executive sponsors to drive alignment across all levels.
• Facilitate transparency, clarity, and decision-making to keep programs on track and stakeholders fully engaged.

Delivery Excellence

• Lead the planning and execution of a large-product innovation project, ensuring maximum long-term value.
• Define clear roadmaps for all workstreams including change management, technology delivery, business operations, customer migrations and go to market activities.
• Manage the end to end project, holding teams accountable on the details whilst ensuring that the holistic vision is achieved.
• Ensure scalability, sustainability, and integration into the companies wider technology ecosystem
• Champion agile principles and lead cross-functional squads to achieve delivery commitments.
• Navigate and challenge dependencies across platforms, teams, and domains, ensuring alignment and risk mitigation.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, resourcing, and change with a focus on value delivery, not just outputs.
• Ensure rigorous project governance and reporting in line with the organisations Technology standards.
• Proactively identify and manage risks, anticipate and resolve issues, challenge assumptions and implement mitigation strategies early.
• Track and report delivery metrics, escalating challenges with a solutions-focused mindset.

Continuous Improvement

• Promote best practices in delivery management and change leadership across the organisation
• Mentor team members and foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and learning.
• Contribute to building a future-ready platform ecosystem that supports the organisation's mission of advancing science, education, and research impact.