Canadian Tire

Program Manager AI Activation

Canadian Tire$79K — $131K *
Enterprise Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in program management, particularly in AI or technology sectors
  • Demonstrated expertise in managing program portfolios with multiple interconnected projects
  • Strong skills in financial governance including CBA preparation and forecasting
  • Ability to lead and coach project managers directly
  • Proficient in the use of project management and portfolio management tools, specifically Planview

Responsibilities

  • Own the end-to-end orchestration of AI initiatives across the program portfolio
  • Ensure effective program design and management of dependencies among AI projects
  • Serve as the singular accountability point for program planning, delivery, and risk management
  • Lead and supervise all project managers within AI Activation, setting delivery standards
  • Proactively address delivery challenges and collaborate with PMs to resolve issues
  • Oversee program-level governance, ensuring compliance with financial tracking and audit processes
  • Engage with senior stakeholders, delivering executive-level updates and strategic communication

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits and retirement programs
  • Performance incentives and continuing education opportunities
  • Well-being perks and support
  • Career growth opportunities and product discounts
Full Job Description

What you'll do

Reporting into AVP, AI Activation, the Program Manager, AI Activation is accountable for the end‑to‑end program orchestration of AI initiatives across the AI Activation portfolio. This role leads and supervises all Project Managers within AI Activation, ensuring consistent delivery, governance, financial rigor, and executive visibility across all AI programs and projects.

The role operates at the program and portfolio level, translating AI strategy into executable, well‑governed programs that deliver measurable business outcomes.

Program & Portfolio Leadership

  • Own the AI Activation program portfolio, structuring work from Big Rock → Program → Project level.

  • Ensure consistent program design, dependency management, and sequencing across all AI initiatives.

  • Serve as the single point of accountability for program‑level planning, delivery status, and risk management.

PM Supervision & Delivery Excellence

  • Directly lead, coach, and supervise all AI Activation PMs.

  • Set clear delivery standards across:

    • Planning

    • Milestones

    • RAID management

    • Status reporting

  • Intervene proactively when delivery is off‑track, unblocking PMs and escalating where required.

Governance, Financials & CBA Ownership

  • Own program‑level governance, including:

    • CBAs

    • Forecasting

    • Financial tracking

    • Executive readiness

  • Partner with Finance, PMO, and leadership to ensure funding, benefits realization, and financial transparency.

  • Ensure all AI initiatives meet enterprise governance and audit expectations.

Tools, Standards & Artifacts

  • Own and standardize Planview / portfolio tooling for AI Activation.

  • Define and enforce:

    • Program and project structures

    • Documentation standards

    • SharePoint / artifact organization

  • Ensure AI Activation artifacts are centralized, discoverable, and governance‑compliant.

Executive & Cross‑Functional Engagement

  • Act as the primary program interface with senior stakeholders across IT, Finance, Data, and Business teams.

  • Prepare executive‑ready updates, escalations, and decision framing.

  • Ensure PM‑level communication is elevated to program‑level narratives suitable for leadership forums.

What you bring

  • Proven experience leading programs of multiple projects, not just individual initiatives

  • Strong background in portfolio management, financial governance, and delivery rigor

  • Comfortable operating between strategy and execution

  • Able to lead PMs directly, including performance management and coaching

  • Experience delivering complex, cross‑functional technology or AI programs

We’re always looking for great talent! In addition to competitive pay, we offer:

  • Comprehensive benefits and retirement programs

  • Performance incentives, Continuing Education Programs

  • Other perks to support your well-being

  • Career growth opportunities and product discounts

Broadband Salary Range: $79,000.00 – $131,000.00
Salary decisions are also dependent on other factors such as your experience, industry benchmarks, internal equity and other role-specific requirements. For critical roles, the compensation offering will be reviewed to ensure alignment with market rate and conditions and the unique value you bring to the role.

#LI-GT1

This posting represents an existing vacancy within our organization.


We may use artificial intelligence tools as part of our recruitment process to assist in the initial screening of resumes. All hiring decisions, including candidate evaluation, selection, and disposition, are made by human recruiters.

About Canadian Tire

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited is a Canadian retail company which sells a wide range of automotive, hardware, sports and leisure, and home products. Some stores also sell toys and food products. It operates through a network of more than 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets across Canada. The company was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.
Learn more about Canadian Tire
Size
13,435 employees
Industry
Founded
1922
NASDAQ

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