Senior AI/ML Project Manager

Job Introduction

Senior Project Manager - AI /ML Projects

£75,000 Per annum (12 month Fixed Term contract)

Overview

Levy is the vibrant and exciting sector of Compass Group, the world\'s largest catering company. We work at some of the greatest venues in the world, delivering legendary experiences in food, drink, and hospitality.

In the UK, we are proud to have a wealth of long-standing partnerships with venues across sport, entertainment, and events. Our partnerships include venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, Edgbaston, Tottenham Hotspur, Principality Stadium, Scottish Event Campus (SEC) and ExCel London.

We are culinary champions - it\'s what we do and it\'s what we are passionate about. At the core of our work is the belief that sustainably sourced great food and drink, coupled with exceptional service is key to creating legendary experiences.

Focused on \'doing the right thing\' for our people and the planet. sustainability, wellbeing, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do.

We have a commitment to being Net Zero by 2027, are official partners of the British Paralympic Association, and are proud to pay all our team members at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.

Levy UK&I is embarking on a strategic transformation to deploy a cutting-edge AI/ML workforce management tool (\"WFMAIML\") across circa 60 venues, partnering with third-party consultants and internal technical teams. This project aims to revolutionize labour planning, operational efficiency, and guest experience through data-driven decision-making and technology adoption.

Role Purpose

The Senior Project Manager (SPM) will lead the end-to-end delivery of the WFMAIML tool deployment, working closely with business stakeholders, data-led technical teams (including data scientists and engineers), and third-party consultants. The SPM will ensure the project is delivered to scope, time, cost, quality, and risk parameters, and that change is embedded sustainably across all venues.

Key Responsibilities

Project Definition and Planning

• Develop a comprehensive project plan for the deployment of the WFMAIML tool across all venues.
• Collaborate with technical teams and third-party consultants to define requirements and dependencies.
• Establish clear milestones and performance indicators, including data quality and user adoption.
• Ensure roles and responsibilities are defined for all workstreams.
• Evaluate cost structures and shape business cases for investment.

Project Delivery and Governance

• Lead the end-to-end management of the WFMAIML deployment.
• Oversee project budgets, timelines, and resources.
• Apply project management methodologies to drive successful outcomes.
• Apply agile project delivery principles, focusing on iterative development phases (proof of concept → pilot → industrialisation).
• Track and report on project progress and benefits realization.
• Ensure third-party deliverables are aligned with internal requirements.
• Contribute to and navigate multi-tier governance structures, such as Steering Committees (SteerCos) and technical working groups, ensuring alignment and accountability across stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Engage stakeholders at all levels to build support for the project.
• Communicate technical concepts and data insights in accessible language.
• Manage expectations and ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
• Coordinate with internal and external teams for smooth collaboration.

Change Management & Deployment

• Lead large-scale change initiatives across diverse, multi-site environments, ensuring consistent deployment and adoption of new technologies and processes.
• Design and execute comprehensive change management plans tailored to technology deployments, including stakeholder engagement, training, and communications.
• Tailor change strategies to accommodate different venue types, operational cultures, and readiness levels, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
• Monitor adoption metrics, gather feedback from end users, and iterate change approaches to drive continuous improvement and sustained engagement.

Project Quality

• Ensure all deliverables meet agreed standards.
• Champion the use of data and analytics in project decisions.
• Support development and maintenance of project management processes.

Person Specification - Essential

• Proven experience delivering large-scale, multi-site technology transformation projects.
• Experience in agile project delivery, with a focus on iterative development (proof of concept → pilot → industrialisation).
• Demonstrated ability to work with data-led technical teams and third-party consultants.
• Strong contract management and vendor governance skills.
• Analytical and data-driven, able to interpret complex datasets.
• Commercially focused with understanding of workforce operating models.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Capable of contributing to and navigating multi-tier governance structures, such as SteerCos and technical working groups.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale change initiatives across diverse, multi-site environments.
• Expertise in stakeholder engagement, training, and communications to drive adoption of new tools and processes.
• Experience designing and executing change management plans for technology deployments.
• Ability to tailor change strategies for different venue types and operational cultures.
• Skilled in monitoring adoption, gathering feedback, and iterating change approaches to ensure sustained engagement.
• Minimum 10 years\' experience in project management.
• Formal project management qualifications (PRINCE2, PMI, APMG, or equivalent).

Person Specification - Desirable

• Experience in multi-site hospitality, events, or venue-based operations.
• Familiarity with workforce management systems and AI/ML tools.
• Flexible and adaptable in fast-paced environments.
• Results-driven, accountable, and resilient.

Education

• Good honors degree or equivalent experience.
• Formal project management qualifications.