Business Operations Manager - AI Program Manager

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The global MDA Space team of more than 5,500 space experts has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission.

We are looking for an AI Program Manager to join our satellite systems team at our Montreal office. As the leading global independent commercial supplier of antennas, payloads, and electronics for communication and radar satellites, our team has successfully contributed to hundreds of missions in the past 60 years. We’re a dream team of purpose-driven, collaborative and passionate people, and we are constantly looking for others to join #TeamMDA to ignite new and innovative approaches to problem-solving that push us forward to improve life on and above Earth.

About The Role

We are seeking an AI Program Manager to partner with local business departments and enable the responsible adoption of AI across the business unit. This role serves as the operational and enablement lead for the AI function by translating strategy into execution, coordinating delivery, and supporting secure, effective, and value-driven AI adoption. The AI Program Manager will operate at the intersection of AI delivery, stakeholder enablement, policy stewardship, and day-to-day execution to ensure AI initiatives are well governed, well monitored, clearly catalogued, and aligned with organizational standards and values.

Key Responsibilities

• AI Project Management
  • Lead planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution of core enterprise AI initiatives.
  • Develop, prioritize, and coordinate the AI roadmap for the business unit.
  • Coordinate with the internal AI development team on product evaluation, benchmarking, dataset creation, and the development or adaptation of AI tools and workflows while ensuring compliance with corporate policies.
  • Translate strategic AI direction into actionable plans and day-to-day execution.
  • Monitor deployed AI tools, identify issues, and coordinate timely resolution with the appropriate teams.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Enablement
  • Act as a primary operational point of contact for business teams engaging with AI capabilities.
  • Manage intake, triage, and response for day-to-day AI and ChatMDA inquiries from across the site.
  • Support change management and adoption efforts to help teams use AI effectively and appropriately.
• Responsible AI & Data Security Stewardship
  • Uphold, promote, and help operationalize the organization’s AI policies, standards, and governance principles.
  • Champion responsible AI practices, including cyber and data security, privacy, and appropriate use of AI tools.
• Knowledge Management & Communications
  • Develop, maintain, and curate AI knowledge assets, including FAQs, internal web pages, approved AI tools lists, and guidance materials.
  • Ensure AI documentation is clear, accurate, current, and aligned with policy and security expectations.
  • Share lessons learned and practical knowledge with other business areas.
• Use-Case Discovery & Continuous Improvement
  • Proactively identify and explore new AI and automation use cases within the business area.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to assess feasibility, value, and readiness of potential AI applications.
  • Support business area experimentation, pilots, dataset generation, and iterative improvement of AI solutions.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in program management, operations, product enablement, or technology delivery roles.
• Experience working with AI, data, analytics, or digital transformation initiatives.
• Deep understanding of GenAI, including high-impact use cases for enterprises, safety and security considerations, prompt engineering techniques, shortcomings, failure modes and mitigation strategies, and adoption and quality metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate teams, manage priorities, and deliver across multiple parallel initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including documentation and training content.
• Comfortable operating in environments with ambiguity, rapid change, and evolving technology.
• Bilingual French English (Contact with customers outside Quebec and head office managers in Ontario).

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting enterprise AI platforms (e.g., copilots, chatbots, internal AI assistants).
• Familiarity with Agile or iterative delivery models.
• Experience partnering with learning & development, cybersecurity, legal, and/or compliance teams.
• Strong curiosity about responsible AI and practical, business-driven AI use cases.

What Success Looks Like

• AI initiatives move forward smoothly with clear coordination and strong stakeholder alignment.
• AI becomes a meaningful driver of the operating model by improving decision-making, productivity, and business value.
• AI policies and data security principles are understood and reinforced in day-to-day work.
• Responsible AI practices, approved tools, and data security expectations are consistently applied across teams.
• Knowledge assets are current, accessible, and trusted.

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP). MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including; extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program. MDA is proud to provide accommodation(s) during the recruitment process. Should you require any accommodations, please indicate this on your application/cover letter and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.