Program Manager, Data & AI Portfolio

Background

Bloomberg Philanthropies works to create catalytic change across five areas of focus: arts and culture, education, the environment, government innovation, and public health. Our mission is to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. Our approach is rooted in Mike Bloomberg's unique experience and success across the field of business, government, and philanthropy.

The Government Innovation programs build the capacity of local governments to solve problems effectively. Its initiatives – ranging from large-scale international innovation competitions to domestic efforts that help mayors hone their management skills and better use data in decision-making – equip local leaders with practical tools and approaches they can use to address local challenges. We currently invest in municipal governments worldwide through grants, technical assistance, and participation programs. Our team is collegial and collaborative with an orientation toward learning at the individual, group, and portfolio levels. We are energized to advance our mission, while also working to ensure team members have full and balanced lives and opportunities for growth.

The Position

Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Government Innovation team is seeking a Program Manager to help lead and shape a rapidly expanding Data & AI portfolio supporting digital transformation, data excellence, and AI adoption in cities across the Americas and beyond.

We are looking for a civic-minded leader who is equally energized by big-picture thinking and hands-on execution: someone who can synthesize insights, drive accountability, manage complex partner ecosystems, and contribute thought leadership at the intersection of technology, policy, innovation, and city government. Like all roles at Bloomberg Philanthropies, this position blends strategic leadership and partner engagement with disciplined execution, requiring equal comfort setting direction and managing sleeves-up, day-to-day operations.

The role is based in NYC and will require occasional domestic and international travel.

• Portfolio Leadership & Partner Management
  • Serve as relationship manager for partners delivering major components of the Data & AI portfolio and providing strategic guidance, candid feedback, and ongoing operational support.
  • Monitor deliverables, milestones, risks, and performance across multiple initiatives, ensuring work meets Bloomberg Philanthropies’ standards for excellence and impact.
• Strategy, Thought Partnership & Future Vision
  • Provide strategic insight and thought partnership to shape the next era of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Data & AI work, including opportunities in AI adoption, digital government, housing permitting, procurement, city talent pipelines, and international expansion.
  • Help develop storytelling and field-influencing points of view that advance better government operations around the world.
• Program Delivery & Operational Excellence
  • Design, maintain, and continuously improve tools, workflows, trackers, dashboards, and internal systems that enable effective management of a complex, fast-moving portfolio.
  • Coordinate and facilitate check-ins, working sessions, convenings, and workshops with partners and city teams to advance shared goals.
• Content Development & Strategic Communications
  • Translate raw notes, ideas, and conversations into polished memos, briefings, slide decks, decision documents, and narrative updates for internal leadership and external stakeholders.
  • Draft program summaries, talking points, and reports that support institutional decision-making and showcase portfolio impact.
• Research, Scanning & Insight Generation
  • Monitor developments in digital government, civic technology, AI policy, government operations, and public sector innovation, with a focus on implications for city governments.
  • Conduct targeted research on risks and opportunities that inform strategic adjustments, program design, and portfolio refinement.

Qualifications of the ideal candidate

• 10+ years of relevant, full-time work experience in data, digital services, public-sector innovation, AI policy, philanthropy, or related work. Direct experience working in or with city governments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing complex, multi-stakeholder and multi-partner programs from strategy through execution.
• Proven performance management and relationship management skills, including experience working with senior government, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to synthesize complexity into clear, compelling memos, presentations, and narrative updates.
• Strong judgment, high integrity, with the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and confidentiality.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a track record of building trust-based relationships across internal teams, grantees, government partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Deep curiosity about data, AI, digital transformation, and the evolving landscape of government operations, coupled with a resident-centered mindset.
• Highly organized and proactive working style; able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set clear priorities, and ensure that details do not fall through the cracks in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity with a creative, solutions-oriented approach and ability to adapt as new information emerges.
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Accommodation
Bloomberg Philanthropies provides reasonable adjustment/accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please let us know if you require a reasonable adjustment/accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable adjustment/accommodation include but are not limited to making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. To request an adjustment/accommodation to apply for a job, please email [email protected].

Equal Opportunity
Bloomberg Philanthropies is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination in employment. It is Bloomberg Philanthropies' policy to provide equal opportunity and access for all persons, and the Organization is committed to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified individuals without regard to age, ancestry, color, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, sexual and other reproductive health decisions, parental or caring status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or maternity/parental leave, protected veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other classification protected by applicable law (each, a “Protected Characteristic”). Bloomberg Philanthropies prohibits treating applicants or employees less favorably in connection with the terms and conditions of employment, in all phases of the employment process, because of one or more Protected Characteristics.