Role – Technical Program Manager (AI Training Data Services)
Level – DGM / Senior Manager
Experience – 13–18 years
Role Overview
We are seeking a Technical Program Manager with strong expertise in AI model training, data preparation, and large-scale data operations, who can drive teams, own delivery, and manage senior stakeholders effectively.
This role is critical to scaling AI Training Data Services (AITDS) programs, ensuring high-quality, production-ready datasets for enterprise AI models. The ideal candidate brings strong program leadership, the ability to orchestrate cross-functional teams (data, ML, annotation), and a proven track record of delivering complex AI/data programs end-to-end.
They should be equally comfortable driving execution on the ground and engaging client leadership, managing expectations, risks, and outcomes from design through deployment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Program Leadership & Ownership
- Lead multiple AI training data and model enablement programs across clients and domains
- Own end-to-end delivery covering data sourcing, annotation, validation, and model readiness
- Ensure alignment to quality, scalability, and cost optimization goals
2. AI Training Data Strategy & Execution
- Define and operationalize data pipelines for model training, including:
- Data collection & curation
- Annotation (manual + automated)
- Data quality validation & enrichment
- Partner with AI/ML teams to align datasets with model training objectives and evaluation metrics
- Drive adoption of human-in-the-loop workflows and feedback loops
3. Cross-Functional Orchestration
- Work closely with:
- Data scientists & ML engineers (model requirements)
- Data operations & annotation teams (execution)
- Platform/engineering teams (tooling & automation)
- Translate model requirements into data specifications and annotation guidelines
4. Data Quality & Governance
- Establish frameworks for:
- Data quality benchmarking (accuracy, consistency, bias checks)
- Annotation standards and QA processes
- Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and regulatory requirements
5. Client & Stakeholder Management
- Act as primary interface for client leadership on AI data programs
- Provide strategic advisory on training data readiness and model performance improvement
- Manage communication, reporting, and escalations
6. Program Governance & Delivery Excellence
- Set up and run PMO structures:
- Roadmaps, milestones, and sprint cadences
- RAID management
- Executive reporting
- Drive predictable and scalable delivery models for AITDS
Required Skills & Qualifications
Core Experience
- 13–18
- years overall experience with strong program leadership
- 8+ years managing data, AI/ML, or large-scale data operations programs
- Proven experience in AI model training lifecycle with focus on data readiness
About us
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] for roles based in the Americas or [email protected] for roles based in India.
