Program Lead | Paris

The Program Lead will serve as the operational and delivery anchor for the AI and Data Science University initiative, ensuring Photon’s strategic objectives are executed with precision, structure, and measurable impact. Acting as the bridge between strategy and delivery, this role coordinates multiple workstreams including architecture, assessment, and training to ensure the engagement progresses on schedule and produces cohesive, high-quality outcomes. This individual will lead the planning, execution, and governance of the initiative, driving consistency across assessment waves and integrating outputs into the final deliverables. The Program Lead will also evaluate assessment responses from Scrum leaders at the client site to gauge Agile maturity and support the design of the future-state operating model and capability roadmap. Key Responsibilities Program Planning and Governance: Define and maintain the master program plan including scope, milestones, dependencies, and reporting structure. Ensure alignment across all workstreams and adherence to Photon’s delivery framework. Execution Leadership: Translate strategic direction from the Principal Consultant into actionable plans, sprint objectives, and structured delivery workflows. Manage program cadence to ensure timely completion of milestones and deliverables. Agile Delivery Management: Lead sprint planning, backlog refinement, and retrospectives. Maintain delivery accountability using tools like Jira and Confluence to ensure full visibility and progress tracking across all program components. Target-State Operating Model Development: Partner with Photon’s architects and analysts to synthesize assessment outcomes into a future-state AI Operating Model defining ownership, governance, and delivery structure. Ensure recommendations are operationally grounded and scalable. Findings and Recommendations Delivery: Consolidate insights from all assessment waves into a unified Enterprise Capability Baseline and contribute to the final AI University Recommendations Pack which includes the roadmap, governance model, and prioritized actions. Assessment Evaluation: Evaluate assessment responses from Scrum leaders and delivery teams to determine Agile capability, leadership maturity, and readiness for scaled AI delivery. Incorporate findings into program recommendations. Risk, Issue, and Change Management: Identify potential risks or blockers early, manage dependencies, and drive mitigation plans to maintain delivery quality and stability. Continuous Improvement: Capture lessons learned and enhance program delivery processes to support future scalability and repeatability across other teams or business units. Qualifications 10 to 15 years of experience in program or project management, ideally within AI, data, or digital transformation environments. Proven success managing complex, multi-phase programs with multiple technical and consulting workstreams. Strong understanding of Agile and Scrum delivery including sprint planning, backlog management, and iterative execution. Proficiency with program management tools such as Jira, Confluence, and Microsoft Project. Technical fluency in AI, data architecture, or digital transformation principles. Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a focus on execution quality and delivery discipline. Prior consulting experience in enterprise transformation, operating model design, or capability building preferred.