AI Operations Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization that was established in 193

• With a mission to help people affected by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives, IRC operates in over 40 countries and has a workforce of more than 15,000 employees. The organization focuses on providing essential services to approximately 18 million people worldwide, emphasizing the importance of resource mobilization through private fundraising, communications, and advocacy.

Job Overview:
The AI Operations Manager plays a critical role within the External Relations (ER) department, which is dedicated to ensuring that the IRC has the necessary resources to fulfill its mission. This position is responsible for building the organizational infrastructure and operational processes that will facilitate the scaling of AI adoption across various business units. The AI Operations Manager will translate the strategic vision for AI into actionable and sustainable execution by establishing governance frameworks, coordinating cross-functional implementation, and enabling teams to effectively deploy AI capabilities. Reporting directly to the Director of Digital Transformation & AI Enablement, the focus of this role is to operationalize the AI strategy, ensuring that the organization can leverage AI technologies to enhance its operations and service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The AI Operations Manager will be tasked with designing and running 2-week sprint cycles for AI implementation projects, ensuring coordination across multiple teams including Mass Markets, Creative Studio, Digital Engagement, MarTech, and Analytics. This role involves triaging and remediating the AI use case backlog by categorizing initiatives based on feasibility, designing pilot structures for low-risk proof points, and creating playbooks for common deployment patterns. The manager will also be responsible for translating AI fluency training into operational reality by supporting teams through the implementation process, creating templates and frameworks for AI solution requests and deployment, and bridging the gap between learning and practical application. Additionally, the role requires the development of repeatable processes and documentation to ensure sustainable AI implementation, including agent deployment playbooks, governance decision trees, and self-service tooling for common patterns. The AI Operations Manager will work closely with AI engineers and technical specialists, serving as the operational coordinator to ensure that project builds align with organizational needs and governance requirements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate hands-on experience with AI tools within the past 12 months, including the development of multiple custom GPTs, automation workflows using tools like N8N, Make, or Zapier, and agents in platforms such as Copilot Studio or LangGraph. Strong program management skills are essential, with a proven track record of coordinating complex cross-functional initiatives, managing stakeholder expectations, and running agile sprint cycles in ambiguous environments. A systems thinking approach to organizational change is crucial, as is the ability to build infrastructure that scales beyond individual projects to create sustainable organizational capabilities. The ideal candidate should possess a self-directed work style, demonstrating the ability to navigate ambiguous situations independently, make pragmatic trade-offs, and drive progress without extensive coaching. Technical fluency is necessary to engage in credible conversations with engineers and data teams regarding architecture, integrations, and technical constraints, even if the candidate is not directly writing production code. A strong understanding of enterprise data workflows, API integrations, and the connection of AI systems to existing technology stacks such as CRMs and data warehouses is also required.

Educational Background:
While specific educational requirements are not detailed, candidates are typically expected to have a background in fields related to technology, data science, or business management, which would provide the necessary foundation for understanding AI tools and their applications in organizational settings.

Experience:
The position requires recent hands-on experience with AI tools and platforms, particularly within the last 12 months. Candidates should have a demonstrated ability to implement AI solutions and manage projects that involve complex cross-functional collaboration. Experience in nonprofit or mission-driven environments is preferred, especially in roles that blend technical depth with organizational coordination.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the organizational context and the nature of the role. Additional language skills may be beneficial, particularly in regions where the IRC operates.

Additional Notes:
This position is represented by the OPEIU union and is subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement. The compensation for this role ranges from $80,000 to $120,000, with specific offers calibrated based on work location, individual candidate experience, and skills relative to the defined job requirements. The IRC is committed to equal opportunity employment and adheres to professional standards that emphasize integrity, service, equality, and accountability. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement savings plan, and an Employee Assistance Program.