Strategic Delivery Lead

About the Team
OpenAI’s Forward Deployed Engineering team partners with customers to turn research breakthroughs into production systems. We embed deeply with users to solve high-leverage problems. We move quickly from prototype to deployment and surface patterns that shape the platform. We operate at the intersection of customer delivery and core development. We work closely with Product, Research, and Go-To-Market (GTM).

About the Role

The Strategic Delivery Lead (SDL) will help drive some of OpenAI’s most complex and high-impact deployments. The SDL will work closely with our largest customers to ensure timely execution of AI solutions that span research, infrastructure, and application layers.

You’ll lead multi-workstream programs that are often tied to contractual milestones and span multiple internal teams and external partners. The role is highly cross-functional and customer-facing: you’ll partner with Research, Engineering, Go-to-Market, and external stakeholders to align on scope, unblock delivery, and communicate progress at every level, from technical teams to C-suite.

You will own and drive execution of technical delivery workstreams led by internal teams (Forward Deploy Engineers, Researchers, Solutions Architects), ensuring clear problem-framing, robust milestone definitions, proactive risk identification, rapid issue resolution, and effective translation between business objectives and technical solutions, while consistently communicating clear progress and demonstrating tangible customer value.

This is a high-trust, high-autonomy role. Success requires deep program management expertise, executive presence, and a passion for making novel technology deliver real-world value.

This role is based in NYC. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week. We offer relocation assistance. This role also requires heavy travel requiring a eagerness to travel up to 75% and work on-site with customers to build strong relationships and deeply understand their needs.

In this role, you will:

• Serve as the accountable lead for delivering high-impact customer engagements tied to defined contractual milestones.

• Act as a key translator between technical teams and business stakeholders, clearly articulating technical progress, risks, requirements, and dependencies in language accessible to both senior executives and technical practitioners.

• Develop and deliver strategic advisory workshops that align executive stakeholders on vision, roadmap, milestones, and governance structures. Partner closely with customers to understand their goals and translate them into actionable delivery plans by designing and facilitating use case workshops that align technical feasibility with business impact.

• Coordinate and leverage cross-functional teams (Solution Architects, Forward Deployed Engineers, Researchers, Product) to execute multiple concurrent, complex initiatives. Establish and maintain rigorous internal operating models, including clearly defined roles & responsibilities, unified tracking mechanisms, and standardized reporting rituals. Effectively partner with research, technical teams, product, internal/external partners, and leadership to drive aligned execution.

• Partner deeply with technical teams (FDEs, SAs, Research) to frame complex business and technical problems into actionable, scoped projects, serving as a strategic sounding board and thought leader to guide technical direction, anticipate blockers, and align teams proactively.

• Lead and own delivery execution for technical workstreams, ensuring clear project charters, solution designs, defined milestones, robust evaluation plans, and rigorous tracking mechanisms are in place to achieve committed customer outcomes.

• Regularly demonstrate and communicate tangible progress from technical workstreams to internal stakeholders and external customers, driving clarity, transparency, and trust through frequent, clear, and impactful updates.

• Establish best practices around milestone tracking, internal coordination, and delivery operations at scale.

• Lead regular progress reviews with customer stakeholders, ensuring transparency and confidence in delivery.

• Identify delivery risks early and work cross-functionally to mitigate blockers and maintain program velocity.

• Navigate ambiguity and evolving requirements with composure, helping internal and external teams stay aligned.

• Help shape the future of how OpenAI engages with large enterprises through milestone-based delivery programs.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Have 10+ years of experience in consulting, delivery leadership, or senior program management role