IT Program Manager

This position will be dedicated to managing and supporting initiatives within KIWA’s Data & AI program stream. This role sits within the IT PMO and will work closely with the AI Program Lead, Global IT, Business Units, and external partners to ensure smooth delivery of AI initiatives aligned with KIWA’s strategic goals.

The role requires a T-shaped skill set: strong project management capability combined with broad knowledge of AI-related business opportunities, change enablement, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Overview

Key Responsibilities

Program & Project Management

• Manage and coordinate AI program stream projects end-to-end, from concept to delivery.
• Support preparation and validation of business cases for AI initiatives.
• Track progress, milestones, and KPIs for AI projects, ensuring timely reporting to stakeholders.
• Ensure adherence to KIWA PMO standards, governance, and reporting requirements.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work effectively across countries, cultures, and functional teams to drive project success.
• Facilitate hackathons, workshops, and group ideation sessions to accelerate AI solution development.
• Act as a bridge between AI technical teams, business units, and change management stakeholders.

Business Change & Value Realization

• Support organizational change management activities to embed AI solutions into business processes.
• Monitor adoption, usage, and value realization of AI projects; identify improvement opportunities.
• Help business units articulate, refine, and achieve AI-driven efficiency and growth objectives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Core Project Management Skills

• 4–7 years’ experience in project management (mid to mid-senior level), preferably in IT, Data, or AI-related programs.
• Solid understanding of PRINCE2, PMBOK, or equivalent project management methodologies.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with proven ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

AI Program-Specific Competencies

• Familiarity with AI and data-related concepts, use cases, and business value drivers (no deep technical expertise required, but strong curiosity and ability to learn quickly).
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary, virtual teams and matrix reporting environments.

Collaboration & Communication

• Excellent communication skills for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to facilitate workshops, brainstorming sessions, and cross-country collaboration events.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a positive, proactive, and solution-oriented mindset.

Analytical & Adaptive Thinking

• Analytical mindset with the ability to link business challenges to AI opportunities.
• Eagerness to learn the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry landscape.
• Resilient and adaptable—comfortable working in a new and evolving program environment.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape and deliver a strategic AI program in a global organization.
• Collaborative, innovative work culture with exposure to cutting-edge AI initiatives.
• Flexible working arrangements across KIWA’s global footprint.

Responsibilities:

For this role we are looking for someone who has strong planning, execution, and delivery capabilities across multiple geographies. You have excellent verbal and written communication skills and are able to engage stakeholders at all levels. You enjoy working in virtual teams across countries and business units. Further you are able to assess risks, manage budgets, and make data-driven decisions.

In addition, you bring the following background and experience:

• A Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, Information Technology, Engineering Programs or a Data/AI related field.
• Certifications in PRINCE2, Agile/Scrum, PMP, or equivalent certifications preferred.
• A minimum of 4-7 years’ experience in project management or proof of interest in AI & Data field ideally in an international or multi-functional environment.
• Experience with both predictive (Waterfall) and adaptive (Agile/Hybrid) project delivery models.
• Experience in international organizations or multi-country program delivery strongly preferred
• Familiarity with project portfolio tools (e.g., MS Project, Asana, ADO, ServiceNow, or similar).
• Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguity and adjusting plans in fast-paced environments.
• You are based in the Netherlands and allowed to work here.

The SuccessFactors for this role:

• High stakeholder satisfaction and user adoption.
• Clear alignment between Data/AI projects and business priorities.
• Contribution to the maturity and scalability of the IT PMO function.

Qualifications:

At Kiwa, you will be part of a global transformation journey that empowers innovation, drives operational excellence, and creates tangible impact. You’ll work in a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement – with the autonomy to make a difference. Through your daily work and interesting projects and training, you and your skills will constantly develop when you are part of Kiwa.

Kiwa is one of the most successful companies in inspection, testing, certification and technical consulting. Our employees are our most important asset. This is directly reflected in the attention we pay to our people and why we reward them with a good salary (in accordance with their knowledge and work experience), a contract for 32 – 40 hours per week, 33 annual leave days, 8% holiday pay, a good pension scheme and a variable bonus.

Where are you going to work?

In this role, you’ll work within Kiwa’s Global IT department, with our head office in Rijswijk as your location.