Location: Bangalore

Type : Full-time

Role Overview :

- At ARTPARK in collaboration with Indian Institute of Science, we are building one of the world's largest open-source, multimodal datasets for Indic languages through Project Vaani.

- We are looking for a Program Manager who will operate at the intersection of program execution, product strategy, and AI data ecosystems. This role goes beyond traditional operations; you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of large-scale AI data programs, from strategy and vendor execution to dataset quality, platform delivery, and ecosystem adoption.

- You will work closely with cross-functional teams across data, ML, engineering, and external partners (including Google, startups, and research labs) to ensure that datasets are not only built at scale, but are usable, high-quality, and impactful for real-world AI applications.

Key Responsibilities :

End-to-End Program Ownership :

- Own the full lifecycle of large-scale language data programs (like Vaani) - from strategy - execution - delivery - adoption

- Define program roadmap across Data collection, Quality pipelines, Dataset release and platform integration

- Drive execution across multiple parallel workstreams (vendors, internal teams, ML, platform)

- Own program-level decisions: Budget allocation (multi-crore programs) and Resource planning (teams, vendors, infra)

2. Data Collection Strategy & Vendor Ecosystem :

- Design and evolve data collection strategy

- Identify, onboard, and manage multiple vendors across India

- Build scalable vendor frameworks

- Solve real-world constraints of Data collection & annotation

3. Quality, Benchmarking & ML Alignment :

- Define and drive data quality frameworks:

- Work closely with ML teams to ensure

- Dataset usability for ASR, TTS, and LLM applications

- Feedback loop from models - data improvements

- Drive benchmarking efforts with partners and startups

4. Dataset adoption & Ecosystem Building :

- Own the data platform experience (e.g., dataset portal, APIs, downloads)

- Translate user needs (ML engineers, researchers, startups)

- Drive improvements in: Dataset usability, Adoption metrics\

- Build partnerships, case studies, and external visibility

5. Stakeholder & Partner Management :

- Act as the primary interface for Strategic partners (e.g., Google), Government ecosystems (e.g., Bhashini), Startups and research labs

- Drive alignment across various internal and external stakeholders

- Lead program reviews, reporting, and decision-making

6. Internal Team Leadership & Operations :

- Lead and scale cross-functional teams, Data curation (QC teams), Program associates, Freelancers/gig workforce

- Build structured workflows for Task tracking, QC pipelines, and delivery management

- Improve operational efficiency

Requirements :

1. Educational Background : Undergraduate degree/MBA with 4-6 years of experience in Program management/Project management, preferably within a startup or fast-paced environment.

2. Ownership mindset : Self-driven, self-starter who looks to find problems and solve them in the interest of the organisation. If you are one to work when told, it wouldn't be a good fit.

3. Skills and Experience :

a. Experience in managing on-ground operations is a must. Experience in a startup is recommended but not mandatory.

b. Comfortable in working in a dynamic and uncertain environment, with an ability to adapt quickly.

c. Experience in leading operational teams, with focus on data-driven decisions

4. Strong leadership and team management skills, with an ownership mindset to take initiative and drive projects and targets.

5. Analytical mindset & Hands on with tech

What This Role Really Owns

This role is a combination of:

- Program Manager

- Product Manager

- Ecosystem Builder

- AI Program Lead

Why Join Us?

- Work on one of India's largest AI language data initiatives

- High ownership across strategy, execution, and ecosystem impact

- Opportunity to operate at the intersection of data, AI, and real-world deployment

About ARTPARK :

ARTPARK @ IISc (AI & Robotics Technology Park) fosters innovations in AI & Robotics by bringing together the best of research, startup, industry, and government ecosystems. We drive mission-oriented deep-tech projects, technology business incubation, and translational research in areas such as industrial automation, mobility, agriculture, healthcare and education.ARTPARK is seed-funded by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) and the Govt. of Karnataka.