Manager AI Strategic Delivery

Manager, AI Strategic Delivery
Hiring Manager: CAIO
Recruiter: Jimmy Smith
Work Location: Hybrid
Reports To: CAIO


• Why You’ll Love This Role

WoodmenLife is seeking a Manager, AI Strategic Delivery, to join our growing Data & AI division. This high impact leadership role is responsible for driving enterprise AI adoption, delivering measurable business value, and shaping how AI transforms the future of WoodmenLife.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team of AI Engineers, Data Scientists, and technical specialists, empowering them to deliver responsible, scalable, high quality AI solutions. Partnering closely with the CAIO and business leaders, you will break down complex opportunities, build actionable delivery plans, and guide the organization through meaningful AI driven change.

In this role, you will:

Collaborate with Data Architects, AI Engineers, and Enterprise Architects on AI standards and best practices

Create proof of concepts, prototypes, and reference implementations that influence enterprise AI strategy

Shape the future of WoodmenLife’s AI platforms, governance, and operating model

Lead a team that values innovation, responsible AI, and real business impact

We’re proud of our family like culture where work life balance truly matters. With Friday afternoons off year round, a collaborative environment, and a flexible approach to work, you’ll enjoy a role that values outcomes over hours and empowers you to grow.


General Position Summary

The Manager of AI Strategic Delivery leads a team of AI engineers, data scientists, and technical specialists to deliver artificial intelligence solutions that generate tangible business results. This role transforms the CAIO’s strategy into action through the development, deployment, and adoption of AI capabilities across the enterprise.

You will support WoodmenLife’s multi year transformation—modernizing legacy processes, automating operations, and creating digital first insurance products and experiences. As a leader in this journey, you will help bring AI driven intelligence into the organization while ensuring responsible AI practices, regulatory alignment, and data protection.

Travel: Approx. 5%


Key Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop AI Engineers, AI Interns, and Data Scientists

Partner with business leaders to identify and prioritize impactful AI opportunities


Manage AI solution delivery from ideation through optimization

Ensure solutions meet scalability, reliability, security, and compliance requirements

Translate business needs into AI roadmaps, OKRs, and actionable delivery plans

Drive best practices in MLOps, model governance, responsible AI, and solution quality

Collaborate across IT, Data, Product, EA, and Compliance to ensure successful adoption

Track KPIs to measure the success and impact of AI initiatives

Stay current on AI/ML advancements and identify opportunities to apply them

Evangelize AI solutions and success stories across the organization

Lead the AI Center of Excellence and/or Community of Practice

Coach and mentor stakeholders on AI concepts and adoption


Daily Responsibilities

Engage with business stakeholders

Support and interface with the AI team

Collaborate on solution architecture and development

Prioritize and groom backlog items

Serve as a champion for AI and organizational transformation


Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in data science, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field


6+ years of AI/ML development experience, including 2+ years in leadership

Demonstrated ability to deliver AI solutions with measurable business impact

Strong programming skills (Python, SQL) and experience with ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, ML.Net)

Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP) and MLOps practices

Exceptional communication skills—able to translate complex AI concepts into practical business language


Desired Qualifications

Experience growing and leading AI engineering teams

Knowledge of responsible AI, regulatory considerations, and model governance

Ability to manage multiple initiatives in a fast paced environment

Experience with Azure AI stack and Snowflake

Insurance or financial services industry experience


Technical Tools

Microsoft 365

Microsoft Copilot

Enterprise AI & Data platforms


Key Projects & Initiatives

Business process automation


Developing custom copilots

Enterprise wide data science and AI activation


30/60/90 Day Priorities