IT Manager - Data & AI
Mortenson · Minneapolis, MN
- On site
- Full-time
- $193,600 / year
- Minneapolis, MN
Job highlights
- Lead end-to-end AI product delivery.
- Translate strategy into roadmaps.
- Build and coach AI delivery teams.
- Oversee MLOps and governance.
- Partner for adoption and value.
About the role
AI Manager
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated AI Manager to join our dynamic team. Reporting directly to the Director of Data & AI, this role will collaborate closely with leaders across ITS, Data Solutions, Analytics, and domain teams following Mortenson’s hub-and-spoke AI governance model. The AI Manager leads end-to-end delivery of AI products and solutions that accelerate Mortenson’s construction and enterprise outcomes. This role translates the Data & AI strategy into actionable roadmaps, builds and coaches delivery teams, establishes repeatable operating mechanisms (MLOps + governance), and partners with Operating Groups (OGs) and Business Services Groups (BSGs) to drive measurable adoption and value.
Responsibilities
Portfolio & Product Delivery
- Translate strategy into prioritized AI product roadmaps; manage full lifecycle from discovery and design through experimentation, deployment, and scale.
- Stand up repeatable delivery mechanisms (backlog, sprint cadences, stage gates, product KPIs) that shorten time-to-market and ensure value realization.
- Coordinate cross-functional squads (Data Engineering, Analytics, Security, Compliance, domain SMEs) and external partners as needed.
AI Governance, Risk & Compliance
- Operationalize ethical AI practices and model governance (privacy, security, lineage, evaluation, model cards, human-in-the-loop), in alignment with the AI COE standards and Mortenson policies.
- Define release criteria, runbooks, monitoring and fallback controls for safe operations at scale.
Platforms, Architecture & MLOps
- Own the product team’s use of MLOps (CI/CD for models, feature stores, experiment tracking, observability, drift detection) and ensure architectural fit with the Microsoft Fabric-based data mesh and enterprise platforms.
- Partner with Integration teams to connect AI services to operational systems (e.g., ERP/financials, estimating, project controls).
People Leadership
- Hire, coach, and develop AI engineers, AI Developers, full-stack development engineers; foster a high-trust, learning focused culture.
- Establish clear roles, goals, and career paths; model Mortenson leadership principles in daily work.
Business Partnership & Adoption
- Engage OG/BSG leaders to select use cases, define value targets, and build adoption plans; enable innovation sandboxes with lifecycle and security guardrails.
- Drive enterprise change management (training, communications, rollout playbooks) to reach target adoption levels.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data/AI, Engineering, or related field
- 7+ years delivering AI/ML solutions
- 1+ year of experience leading product/engineering teams
- Hands-on experience with MLOps (model lifecycle, CI/CD, monitoring/observability)
- Practical expertise with modern AI stacks (LLMs/NLP, CV, vector search; Python; cloud services—Azure preferred), and with data platforms that support domain-owned analytics (e.g., Microsoft Fabric)
- Proven ability to turn ambiguous business problems into shipped AI products with measured value
- (PREFERRED) Experience in AEC/construction tech (estimating, project controls, safety, supply chain)
- (PREFERRED) Background in responsible/ethical AI and enterprise governance frameworks
Benefits Offered Include
(for Non-Craft & Non-Union Craft working 25+ hours / week)
- Medical and prescription drug plans that includes no additional cost vision coverage
- Dental plan
- 401k retirement plan with a generous Mortenson match
- Paid time off, holidays, and other paid leaves
- Employer paid Life, AD&D, and disability insurance
- No-Cost mental health tool and concierge with extensive work-life resources
- Tuition reimbursement
- Adoption Assistance
- Gym Membership Discount Program
Salary Information
The base pay range for this role is $129,000 – $193,600 (Actual range is higher for the following office locations: Denver, CO and Chicago, IL – 5%, Seattle, WA, and Portland, OR – 10%, Washington, D.C. – 12.5%). Base pay is positioned within the range based on several factors including an individual’s knowledge, skills, and experience, with consideration given to internal equity. This position is eligible for Mortenson’s incentive plan.
About Mortenson
As a top builder, developer, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), our expertise spans markets like sports, renewable energy, data centers, healthcare, and more. We are builders at heart, working to ensure the built environment has a lasting positive impact. Let’s Redefine Possible®
Key skills/competency
- AI Manager
- Machine Learning
- MLOps
- Python
- Azure
- Data Governance
- Product Delivery
- Team Leadership
- AI Ethics
- Construction Tech
Skills & topics
- AI Manager
- Machine Learning
- MLOps
- Python
- Azure
- Data Governance
- Product Delivery
- Team Leadership
- AI Ethics
- Construction Tech
- Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cloud Computing
- Software Development
- Engineering Management
- Project Management
- Analytics
- AI Strategy
- LLM
- NLP
- Computer Vision
- Vector Search
- Microsoft Fabric
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight AI/ML delivery, team leadership, and MLOps experience.
- Showcase MLOps expertise: Detail experience with CI/CD, model lifecycle, and Azure services.
- Demonstrate AI product success: Provide examples of turning business problems into shipped AI products.
- Understand Mortenson's mission: Align your application with their 'Redefine Possible' ethos and construction tech focus.
- Prepare for technical and behavioral interviews: Expect questions on AI strategy, governance, and leadership.
Technical preparation
Master MLOps tools and processes.,Deepen Azure AI and data platform knowledge.,Practice coding in Python for AI.,Study modern AI stack components.
Behavioral questions
Describe a challenging AI project.,How do you foster a learning culture?,How do you handle ambiguous problems?,How do you drive change management?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for an AI Manager at Mortenson?
- As an AI Manager at Mortenson, your key responsibilities include translating AI strategy into product roadmaps, leading cross-functional teams for AI product delivery, operationalizing AI governance and ethical practices, managing MLOps platforms, and partnering with business units to drive adoption and value. You will also be responsible for hiring, coaching, and developing AI engineers and developers.
- What qualifications are essential for the AI Manager role at Mortenson?
- Essential qualifications for the AI Manager role include a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, 7+ years of AI/ML solution delivery experience, and at least 1 year of product/engineering team leadership. You'll need hands-on MLOps experience, expertise in modern AI stacks (like LLMs, Python, Azure), and a proven ability to deliver AI products with measured value. Experience in the AEC/construction tech industry and responsible AI frameworks are preferred.
- How does Mortenson approach AI governance and MLOps?
- Mortenson follows a hub-and-spoke AI governance model. The AI Manager is responsible for operationalizing ethical AI practices and model governance, including privacy, security, lineage, and human-in-the-loop processes, aligned with AI COE standards. They also own the product team's use of MLOps, ensuring CI/CD for models, feature stores, experiment tracking, and observability, integrated with their Microsoft Fabric-based data mesh and enterprise platforms.
- What is the salary range for an AI Manager at Mortenson?
- The base pay range for the AI Manager position at Mortenson is $129,000 to $193,600 annually. Please note that the actual range can be higher for specific office locations such as Denver, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, and Washington, D.C. The final salary will be determined based on an individual's knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.
- Does Mortenson offer visa sponsorship for the AI Manager position?
- No, Mortenson does not offer visa sponsorship for this AI Manager position. Candidates must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status.
- What kind of benefits does Mortenson offer to its employees?
- Mortenson offers a comprehensive benefits package for employees working 25+ hours per week, including medical and dental plans with no-cost vision coverage, a 401k plan with a generous company match, paid time off and holidays, employer-paid life and disability insurance, no-cost mental health resources, tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance, and a gym membership discount.
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