Program Manager, Machine Learning

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Program Manager, Machine Learning

Location: London, UK

PlayStation’s Futue Technology Group is at the cutting edge of innovation, striving to create immersive and unforgettable gaming experiences. As we push the boundaries of gaming and technology, we are seeking an experienced Program Manager to support our team of machine learning researchers and developers.

Our team is working in the forefront of Imitation Learning and Reinforcement Learning techniques for game playing agents, and we need a Program Manager to support our researchers as they develop new technologies as well as oversee and lead the successful delivery of a complex program of interrelated projects.

As a Program Manager, your primary responsibilities will be around planning, monitoring, governance, coordination, communication, and overseeing the successful delivery of the program's outputs / products. You will also be leading a team of machine learning experts and be responsible for team development and assisting the technical leads in driving technical excellence and innovation. While an understanding of machine learning concepts and applications is beneficial, your key role will be to support the team's growth and success in a collaborative, research-driven environment.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the overall work program of interrelated projects:
  • Support the Program Owner with their responsibilities via daily management of the Program throughout its life
  • Establish internal procedures within the program and reviewing them regularly for
  • Plan the overall program, including timelines, and monitoring the progress against high level milestones to ensure adherence to the plan; updating the high-level plan as
  • Coordinate the projects and their interdependencies, promoting collaboration and
  • Identifying and anticipating program risks and issues, developing mitigation strategies, and facilitating issue resolution and escalation
  • Managing stakeholders’ communication by identify key stakeholders, assessing their interests, and developing strategies for effective
  • Working with stakeholders to define measurable benefits, ensure outputs / deliverables will properly realize those benefits, and track
• Lead a team of machine learning researchers and developers: Provide guidance, mentorship, and support to help them achieve their professional goals, fostering an environment where they can thrive and excel.
  • Fostering a strong team culture, morale, and cohesiveness
• Supporting technical leads by ensuring that the team has access to the necessary tools and resources to perform their work
• Conducting staff appraisals, fostering individual growth through regular one-to-ones, and identifying and mitigating risks
• Approving holidays and expenses in collaboration with technical leads
• Acting as a central point of contact for various SIE departments
• Develop and implement talent strategies: Attract, recruit, and retain top-tier talent in machine learning, ensuring that our team remains at the cutting edge of innovation and expertise.
• Cultivate a culture of innovation: Establish and maintain a culture of curiosity and continuous learning within the team, encouraging ambitious ideas and groundbreaking research.
• Foster inclusivity and diversity: Create a work environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents.
• Operate in a global environment: Navigate the challenges of working with diverse, global teams spread across different time zones, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to work outside normal hours when required.
• Handle administrative tasks:
  • Efficiently manage general administrative responsibilities, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
  • Coordinate resources across
  • Maintain the main program documentation.
  • Adhere to governance structures, report to the governance board, and seek necessary approvals.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; technical degrees in Computer Science, Data Science, Machine Learning, or Artificial Intelligence are advantageous but not required. 
• An MBA or other degrees in management or leadership would be highly advantageous.
• Proven experience managing large-scale programs, with a solid understanding of program management methodologies.
• Proven experience in managing a team of researchers or developers, preferably with a focus on machine learning related projects.
• Experience in recruitment and retention strategies, with a track record of attracting and developing top talent in machine learning.
• Previous experience of communicating how a program’s objectives align with the organization's strategic goals.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
• An interest in gaming and exploring the intersection of machine learning and game technology.

Join our dynamic and forward-thinking organization, where your expertise in program and people management will contribute to the creation of groundbreaking gaming experiences. If you are passionate about leading programs and teams, driving innovation, and sharing the future of gaming, we’d like to hear from you!

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. 

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