Manager I Everyday AI & Automation- (Global Remote)

*This is a remote-global role.  The hiring team is considering candidates wherever CRS is registered to work at.  CRS does not sponsor visas for remote employees.

NOTE: The Pay Range referenced in this job announcement  only applies to applicants who perform the job within the US and to applicants classified by CRS as International Assignees.  Staff hired on local payroll would follow the respective Country pay range.  Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your anticipated work location during the candidate selection process.
Job Summary

The Manager I, Everyday AI & Automation leads the development and execution of Digital Workplace’s strategy, governance, and oversight for Microsoft-based everyday AI, task automation, and AI agents. The Manager establishes direction, standards, lifecycle governance, and accountability for Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio solutions, coordinating with business owners responsible for implementation and ongoing maintenance.

The role combines portfolio oversight with hands-on communications, adoption, licensing, financial operations, usage reporting, and program coordination. Aligned with CRS' broader AI strategy, the Manager monitors emerging Microsoft AI capabilities and coordinates with EBS and Digital Programming on complementary AI and technology initiatives.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the roadmap for Microsoft-based everyday AI, Copilot agents, and task automation within Digital Workplace. 
• Translate CRS priorities and staff needs into a prioritized portfolio of practical AI opportunities based on value, feasibility, scalability, risk, cost, and supportability. 
• Guide business owners in assessing whether to use standard Microsoft Copilot capabilities, implement an agent or automation in Copilot Studio, or address a need through another approach.
• Lead strategy and governance for shared Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio agents and AI-enabled task automation, setting standards, guidance, review processes, and ownership expectations in coordination with business owners responsible for delivery and maintenance and technical partners responsible for technical standards and patterns.
• Set lifecycle standards and reviews for shared agents and automation from discovery to retirement, oversee business-owner adherence, and establish accountability for deployment readiness and ongoing management.
• In partnership with business owners, identify repeatable tasks and workflows that could benefit from an agent or AI-enabled automation, clarify intended outcomes, and establish ownership and governance requirements for business-led implementation.
• Recommend targeted prototypes and pilots with business owners and technical partners to assess the usability, value, and risk of emerging Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio capabilities and inform strategy and governance.
• Lead change management, communications, learning, and adoption activities that help staff use approved everyday AI capabilities effectively and responsibly. 
• In partnership with the M365 Global Admin and Director for Digital Workplace, manage everyday AI licensing and financial operations, allocating licenses, coordinating purchases, tracking and reconciling costs, and providing forecasting inputs and operational reports.
• Integrate CRS requirements for security, privacy, accessibility, and data protection across the everyday AI implementation lifecycle, coordinating reviews as needed. 
• Monitor product adoption, user experience, quality, cost, risk, and organizational value; collect and analyze usage and feedback data; and use findings to guide investment and continuous improvement decisions. 
• Supervise assigned staff and temporary personnel, set direction on day-to-day everyday AI program work, and reinforce business-owner accountability for solution implementation and ongoing management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Practical understanding of generative AI, AI assistants and agents, prompt design, knowledge-grounded solutions, AI-enabled workflows, responsible AI considerations, and the operational requirements needed to sustain enterprise technology products. 
• Sound product judgment to identify valuable use cases and avoid solutions that lack a clear need. 
• Highly proactive and able to work independently while balancing strategic leadership with hands-on program and operational responsibilities. 
• Ability to learn new tools and concepts independently, proactively seek answers through research and experimentation, and troubleshoot problems resourcefully while recognizing when to seek additional support.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop clear staff communications and explain complex technology concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences. 
• Strong interpersonal, facilitation, group process, change management, problem-solving, and judgment skills. 
• Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams, directing temporary or matrixed contributors, and building trusted relationships with business owners and technical partners. 
• Strong systems thinking and analytical approaches to product, governance, adoption, financial, and operational challenges. 
• Very good presentation, training, and listening skills. 
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work effectively across cultures, functions, and levels of the organization. 
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational learning, responsible innovation, and continuous improvement. 
• Demonstrated effectiveness in a customer-facing role and commitment to practical, user-centered solutions. 

Required Languages: English required. Proficiency in French, Spanish, or Arabic is a plus. 

Travel: Must be willing and able to travel up to 10%. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, information systems, product management, business, design, communications, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience. 
• Minimum of 5 years' progressively responsible experience in technology product management, digital solutions, business analysis, software delivery, digital workplace, innovation, change management, or related work with at least two years of supervisory or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience establishing strategy, governance, and oversight for complex, cross-functional technology products or initiatives, including coordinating with business owners responsible for implementation, adoption, operations, and continuous improvement.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Chat, Copilot Studio, or related Microsoft enterprise technologies; strategy, governance, and portfolio oversight; structured pilots and business-led implementation; change management, communications, and adoption; and licensing, vendor management, financial operations, and usage reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising multidisciplinary delivery teams. 
• Demonstrated working knowledge of: (1) Catholic Church organizational structures and (2) Catholic Social Teaching.  

Agency Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

What we offer

CRS offers U.S. based staff a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a generous retirement savings plan.  Benefits packages for successful candidates employed outside the U.S. are based on the country of employment/in-country office where the candidate will perform the role.  CRS´ work culture is a collaborative, mission-driven culture committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.