Program Manager

Summary

Join Aspen Publishing as a Program Manager and become a key member of the Digital Learning & Engagement team. You will collaborate with engineers, data scientists, product managers, and stakeholders to define, prioritize, and deliver on program goals. This role is based in Burlington, MA, with a hybrid office/work-from-home schedule, and remote work may be considered for the right candidate. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background and experience in program or project management, preferably in software or AI-focused organizations. You will be responsible for driving product initiatives from concept to execution, ensuring the successful delivery of features and systems that empower Aspen's AI-driven solutions. This position is initially temporary, non-exempt, with the option to transition to permanent, exempt status.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering Information Technology, or a related field
• 2+ years of experience in program or project management, preferably in software or AI-focused organizations
• Strong technical background—comfortable discussing system architecture, AI model lifecycle, data pipelines, and APIs
• Experience working with or alongside engineering and machine learning teams
• Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication , you can clearly explain complex topics to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Familiarity with Azure DevOps or similar tools for managing backlogs, user stories, and tasks
• Deep understanding of the Agile development lifecycle (Scrum or Kanban); Certifications in Agile/Scrum, PMP, or similar are a plus
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and able to work independently or in a team environment
• Experience managing projects involving AI/ML pipelines, data annotation, or model training workflows
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, especially Microsoft Azure
• Knowledge of MLOps or CI/CD practices related to AI deployment

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional planning, coordination, and execution of AI-related initiatives
• Work closely with engineers, data scientists, product managers, and stakeholders to define, prioritize, and deliver on program goals
• Translate complex technical discussions into clear, actionable plans
• Manage user stories, tasks, sprints, and backlog grooming using Azure DevOps
• Drive Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily standups, retrospectives, and demos
• Communicate project status, risks, and opportunities clearly and proactively through written reports and presentations
• Ensure that programs are delivered on time, within scope, and with high quality
• Track and report on progress and outcomes using metrics and dashboards
• Continuously improve processes and team velocity by identifying and addressing bottlenecks

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of learning science, instructional design, learning analytics, and emerging technologies such as AI and adaptive learning a plus
• Experience working with digital publishing technologies and LMS platforms (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Open edX) a plus
• Demonstrated project management, organizational, budgeting, and planning skills
• Demonstrated ability to deliver quality, meet deadlines, analyze issues and provide solutions in a fast-paced environment
• Willing to travel, as needed

Benefits

• Your choice of health and dental plans
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• 401k with employer match
• An array of voluntary programs to cover all of life’s eventualities from accidents; to critical illness; to pet insurance