IT Manager - Data & AI

IT Manager - Data & AI SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated IT Manager - Data & AI 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.

Hiring Locations:
Minneapolis, MN

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

(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

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…