Senior Program Manager

Job Title: Senior Program Manager

About Springer Nature Group:

For over 180 years, Springer Nature has opened the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals. Every day, around the globe, our solutions reach millions of people. We see it as our responsibility to ensure that fundamental knowledge can be found, verified, understood and used by our communities – enabling them to improve outcomes, make progress, and benefit the generations that follow. Visit group.springernature.com and follow @SpringerNature / @SpringerNatureGroup

Who we are:

At Springer Nature AI Labs (SNAIL), we’re shaping the future of scientific publishing through responsible, human-centred AI. Our team is at the forefront of integrating advanced AI technologies to optimize processes and enhance the user experience for researchers and academics worldwide. We value a collaborative work environment where ideas flourish, and innovation is encouraged. With our curiosity-driven, impact-first culture, we focus on delivering AI innovation at scale always with integrity and in close collaboration across functions. Our commitment to long-term growth ensures that our people are nurtured and developed to reach their full potential.

Who you are:

You’re a confident leader who thrives at the intersection of technology, business, and customer needs. You see opportunities where others see complexity—translating vision into actionable roadmaps that deliver measurable impact. With a strong grasp of AI-driven innovation, you’re excited to turn ambiguity into clarity, ensuring the right priorities are defined, aligned, and executed.

You lead with influence and empathy, bringing cross-functional teams together around a shared vision. You build trust quickly, foster collaboration, and champion data-driven decisions. In this role, you’ll play a critical part in shaping the future of AI enabled systems & products, driving strategy while rolling up your sleeves to ensure seamless delivery.

If you’re motivated by building excellence in a fast-moving environment—and energized by curiosity, experimentation, and authenticity—you’ll thrive here.

This role is a key part of amplifying the impact of AI at Springer Nature and bringing our strategy to life. You’ll work at the heart of a team that’s redefining what responsible, impactful AI looks like in the world of research.

Responsibilities:

Turn Strategy into Impact: Own the execution of a diverse AI program portfolio—driving innovation, R&D, and production initiatives from concept to measurable outcomes.

Elevate AI Operations: Design and implement frameworks that streamline planning, tracking, and stakeholder communication—enabling smarter, faster decision-making across global teams.

Bridge Innovation and Delivery: Translate AI research into real-world opportunities – in collaboration with SN Product Owners/Managers, ensuring insights and technologies flow seamlessly across the AI enabled system & product lifecycle.

Align Around Outcomes: Partner closely with engineering, data, UX, and business leaders to synchronize roadmaps, manage interdependencies, and deliver value to customers and stakeholders.

Shape Governance That Enables: Lead program rituals that keep teams aligned (steering, retros, risk reviews), provide clarity through reporting, and inform investment and resourcing decisions.

Build Culture Through Practice: Champion ways of working that foster transparency, curiosity, and collaboration—embedding rituals and communication patterns that reflect our values.

Must-Have Qualifications:

Experience:

6+ years of experience in program management, portfolio delivery or (AI) software / AI enabled system & product delivery; ideally in AI, data science or software/tech environments.

Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in matrixed organizations with global, distributed teams.

Even more so, proven ability to have a ‘bird’s eye view’; connecting dots, fostering synergies and maximising value.

Experience in agile/hybrid delivery environments, with tools like Jira, Confluence, or Notion.

Skills & Mindset:

Strategic thinker with strong operational instincts; able to translate vision into actionable roadmaps and outcomes.

Exceptional communicator with the ability to synthesize complexity and tailor messaging to technical and non-technical audiences.

Bias for action, grounded in curiosity and customer focus. You know how to start small, iterate, and scale.

A strong sense of ownership and authenticity; you do what you say, and you bring others along with empathy and clarity.

Brings pragmatic realism to deliverables, resolving issues and escalating when needed.

Nice-To-Have:

Familiarity with the AI development lifecycle, including research, experimentation, deployment and MLOps.

Experience working with or within publishing, research, or academic sectors.

By joining Springer Nature, you will actively contribute to the development and implementation of AI solutions that drive the future of scientific publishing. As a leader, you will guide your team to innovate and grow, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in AI. Join us as we pioneer the future of scientific publishing through artificial intelligence.

Internal applicants: We encourage that you speak to your manager once the interview process has started. At the point of offer acceptance, it is required that you inform your manager. If for any reason you’re unable to do so, please contact HR who can provide guidance as required.

At Springer Nature we value the diversity of our teams. We recognize the many benefits of a diverse workforce with equitable opportunities for everyone. We strive for an inclusive workplace that empowers all our colleagues to thrive. Our search for the best talent fully encompasses and embraces these values and principles. Springer Nature was awarded Diversity Team of the Year at the 2022 British Diversity Awards. Find out more about our DEI work here

For more information about career opportunities in Springer Nature, please visit

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