The posting
Who We Are
Lightning AI is the company behind PyTorch Lightning. Founded in 2019, we build an end-to-end platform for developing, training, and deploying AI systems—designed to take ideas from research to production with less friction.
Through our merger with Voltage Park, a neocloud and AI Factory, Lightning AI combines developer-first software with cost-efficient, large-scale compute. Teams get the tools they need for experimentation, training, and production inference, with security, observability, and control built in.
We serve solo researchers, startups, and large enterprises. Lightning AI operates globally with offices in New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and London, and is backed by Coatue, Index Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and Firstminute.
The Way We Work
The people who thrive here are builders who move fast, communicate openly, take ownership, and continuously improve themselves, their teams, and our company. Here's what that looks like in practice:
- Move with Urgency: We move quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and keep momentum. We value action over perfection and learn by shipping.
- Take Ownership: We own outcomes, not just our individual work. We make decisions that move the company forward and follow through.
- Communicate Openly: We communicate directly, seek to understand, and create clarity for others. Honest conversations help us move faster together.
- Build Great Teams: We lead by example, empower others, and create healthy teams where people can do their best work.
- Raise the Bar: We're always improving ourselves. We learn from feedback, consistently challenge ourselves to grow, and focus on the work that matters most.
- Think Long-Term: We design for what's next. We create scalable systems, simplify complexity, and use AI and automation to amplify our impact.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for a Senior Manager of Program Management and Operations to bring structural rigor, operational efficiency, and scalable execution to our team. In this role, you will be the connective tissue between Marketing and core internal functions like Product Management, Engineering, and Sales. This role reports directly to the CMO.
What You’ll Do
- Own the Operating Cadence: Establish project management frameworks, tracking systems, and operational rhythms to ensure visibility into strategic goals and metrics across marketing.
- Automate Workflows: Leverage modern AI tools and automated workflows to centralize data, streamline project tracking, and reduce manual reporting overhead.
- Drive Cross-Functional Alignment: Lead high-impact initiatives end-to-end, bridging organizational gaps across Product, Engineering, Sales, and Marketing.
- Build Feedback Loops: Establish continuous feedback channels between teams to gather insights, assess program results, and optimize future execution.
- Lead Strategic Planning: Spearhead annual planning and QBR inputs for Marketing, translating high-level priorities into actionable operating plans and clear milestones.
- Tackle Ambiguity: Jump into emerging or unmapped problem areas, bringing structure, clarity, and rapid execution to complex challenges.
- Scale Scalable Systems: Refine operational processes and build durable frameworks that minimize friction and increase organizational velocity as we scale.
- Proactively Manage Risks: Identify execution bottlenecks early and surface actionable trade-offs and recommendations to leadership.
- Lead Through Partnership: Serve as a trusted advisor and key operational executor for marketing leadership. Collaborate with the central Business Operations leader and with cross-functional operations leads.
What You’ll Need
- Proven Experience: 10+ years in strategy, operations, program management, or operational leadership within fast-growing technology environments.
- Structured & Execution-Driven: Ability to bring order to ambiguous spaces, build scalable systems from scratch, and keep operations running seamlessly.
- Executive Partnership: Demonstrated track record as a trusted thought partner to executives, capable of driving strategic cross-functional initiatives end-to-end.
- AI-Native Mindset: Passion for leveraging modern AI tools and automated workflows to accelerate execution, synthesize data, and amplify team impact.
- Master Communicator: Exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills with a proven knack for distilling complex topics into clear executive updates.
- Bias for Action: Strong sense of ownership and accountability; thrives in fast-paced environments while building scalable and sustainable processes.
We are committed to offering competitive compensation that reflects the value each team member brings to our mission. Final offers are based on factors such as experience, skills, geographic location, and role expectations. In addition to base salary, our total rewards package for eligible roles includes a discretionary bonus, a meaningful equity component, and comprehensive benefits.
The anticipated annual base salary range for this role is:
$190,000—$205,000 USD
Benefits and Perks
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees’ health, well-being, and long-term success:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
- Meaningful Equity: RSUs that give employees a stake in the company's long-term success.
- Retirement Savings: 401(k) matching (U.S.) and pension contributions (U.K.).
- Flexible Time Off: Unlimited PTO, company holidays, and floating holidays to support work-life balance.
- Paid Parental & Family Leave: Paid leave to support you and your family through life's important moments.
- Professional Development: Annual learning and development allowance to support your professional growth.
- Wellness Benefits: Wellness and work-from-home stipends to support your physical and mental well-being.
- Sabbatical Program: Four weeks of paid sabbatical leave after four years of service.
- Flexible Work: Flexible schedules and a hybrid work model for our office-based teams.
- In-Office Meals: Complimentary meals at our office hubs.
Benefits may vary by location, team, and role.
At Lightning AI, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and create better products. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are dedicated to building a culture where everyone can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.
