Principal Program Manager - AI & Decision Product Enablement Job Listing at Mastercard in O'Fallon, MO (Job ID R-249379)

Description

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Principal Program Manager - AI & Decision Product Enablement About the Team:
AI & Decision Product Enablement (AI & DPE) team within Services is responsible for enabling industry leading AI and decisioning based products in the transaction stream across the MA network to accelerate growth in MA Services. AI & DPE team is comprised of the Decision Management program, the Business Engineering & Rules Strategy program, AI Network Services and the Brighterion Machine Learning program. Together, AI & DPE powers over 45 different market facing products across all Services product groups which protect and enable our cardholders, deliver valuable services to our customers, enable significant revenue for MA, and protect our network.

Job Description:
The AI & Decision Product Enablement (AI & DPE) team is seeking a Principal, Program Manager to serve as a strategic partner to the Technology Executive and the leadership team. This role is critical in ensuring operational efficiency, driving organizational alignment, defining technology strategy and enabling data-driven decision-making to support our long-term business and technology strategy. In this role, you will act as an extension of the Technology Leadership, driving strategic initiatives, optimizing governance processes, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. You will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the technology vision while ensuring seamless coordination across key programs and business priorities.

Key Responsibilities:
• Strategic Planning & Governance: Partner with the Technology Executive and the AI & DPE leadership team to frame and execute AI & DPE strategic priorities, ensuring alignment across AI & DPE Programs, AI & DPE cross functional teams, Services, and the broader Mastercard organization.
• Executive Support & Communication: Develop high-impact executive presentations and messaging for internal audiences, including Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), Quarterly Program Reviews (QPRs), governance meetings, business updates, Teams channels, and newsletters. Shape external-facing communication strategy and messaging through strong analytic support.
• Leadership Engagement & Alignment: Manage and coordinate regular executive engagements on AI & DPE technical priorities, ensuring seamless communication and alignment across leadership. Facilitate strategic discussions, drive clarity on priorities, and ensure follow-through on key initiatives.
• Operational Excellence & Business Reporting: Drive business reporting excellence and operational rigor, coordinating updates for Quarterly Program & Business Reviews, roadshows, and other leadership forums. Ensure team member preparations are timely and meet the need through setting checkpoints, pre-reviewing, and working adjustments with the leadership team. Identify key insights, track performance against objectives, and make data-driven recommendations for action.
• Problem-Solving & Execution: Tackle complex business challenges with limited definition, uncover root causes, and develop structured solutions with actionable recommendations. Lead and manage cross-functional projects, ensuring timely execution of key objectives while driving accountability across teams.
• Employee Engagement & Culture: Lead the implementation of strategic employee communication and engagement initiatives in partnership with other team members. Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Develop Strong Partnerships: Build and cultivate strong relationships across AI & DPE, Services Tech including CTO Chief of Staff, and stakeholders across MA to effectively execute against these key responsibilities.

About You:
• Strong background in Program Management, Product Management, Strategy Definition or similar.
• Ability to lead complex initiatives with independence and autonomy, leveraging guidance and support from peers and leaders when needed.
• Strong technical aptitude and business acumen with a breadth of experience including demonstrated application of software development lifecycle models and project management principles and practices.
• Proven experience in executive and leadership communications, business reporting, and external engagement—translating strategies into execution plans while effectively communicating with internal and external stakeholders, industry partners, and leadership teams.
• Exceptional storytelling and writing skills with the ability to develop visually compelling presentations that communicate complex ideas with clarity, logic, and impact.
• Innovation mindset with a demonstrated ability to drive new ways of thinking, identify opportunities for improvement, and contribute to transformational initiatives within the organization.
• Entrepreneurial and intellectually curious, with a passion for problem-solving and a results-driven approach to tackling complex business challenges.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strategic influencer with executive presence—able to anticipate issues, proactively address roadblocks, and influence decision-making across leadership teams.
• Trusted partner and culture builder—capable of managing sensitive information with absolute discretion, navigating unspoken sensitivities, and fostering a high-trust environment.
• Adaptable and creative, excelling in dynamic and evolving business landscapes while staying ahead of industry trends and innovations.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the organization and external networks. Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact reasonable_accommodation@mastercard.com and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;

• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;

• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and

• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

In line with Mastercard's total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary based on location, experience and other qualifications for the role and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance), flexible spending account and health savings account, paid leaves (including 16 weeks new parent leave, up to 20 paid days bereavement leave), 10 annual paid sick days, 10 or more annual paid vacation days based on level, 5 personal days, 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays, 401k with a best-in-class company match, deferred compensation for eligible roles, fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities, eligibility for tuition reimbursement, gender-inclusive benefits and many more.

Pay Ranges

O'Fallon, Missouri: $138,000 - $230,000 USD

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