Freelance Ai Project Management Jobs in Rutherford, NJ

AI is transforming how organizations plan, prioritize, and deliver complex work. The projects driving this transformation need a new kind of project manager-one who understands AI capabilities, can navigate technical ambiguity, and keeps cross-functional teams aligned around outcomes rather than outputs.

At Hearst, we are hiring an AI Project Manager to drive the delivery of AI-powered systems across our business units. You will work alongside AI Systems Builders, product leaders, and business stakeholders to scope projects, manage delivery, remove blockers, and ensure that AI initiatives translate into measurable business impact.

This is not a traditional project management role centered on waterfall timelines and status reports. You will operate in fast-moving, prototype-driven environments where priorities shift, requirements emerge through experimentation, and success is measured by adoption and outcomes-not task completion.

If you thrive in ambiguity, love keeping builders unblocked, and care more about impact than process, this role may be a great fit.

What You'll Drive

AI Project Managers oversee a portfolio of AI initiatives across Hearst businesses. Examples of projects you might manage include:

• AI-powered research and knowledge workflow deployments

• Automation systems that streamline operational processes across business units

• Cross-functional AI tool rollouts requiring stakeholder alignment and coordination

• Internal AI assistant integrations with enterprise systems

• Evaluation and quality frameworks for AI system reliability

• Multi-team initiatives combining AI builders, product managers, and business stakeholders

Many projects begin as rapid prototypes and evolve into durable internal products-your job is to shepherd that journey.

How You'll Work

AI Project Managers operate differently from traditional PMs. You will:

• Partner with AI Systems Builders to scope, plan, and deliver AI-powered systems

• Manage project portfolios using lightweight, iterative processes suited to AI development

• Translate business needs into clear project briefs, success criteria, and delivery milestones

• Facilitate rapid feedback loops between builders, stakeholders, and end users

• Identify and remove blockers that slow delivery or adoption

Your job is to ensure the team moves efficiently from: problem scoping prototype validated system real business impact

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end delivery of AI projects from scoping through deployment and adoption.

• Build and maintain project roadmaps, timelines, and dependency maps for AI initiatives.

• Coordinate across AI builders, product teams, and business stakeholders to align priorities.

• Facilitate stakeholder discovery sessions to define problems, requirements, and success criteria.

• Run lightweight delivery cadences adapted to AI development workflows.

• Track and communicate project status, risks, and outcomes to leadership.

• Maintain project documentation and work with knowledge architects on knowledge sharing practices.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for experienced project managers with strong technical fluency and the ability to drive outcomes in fast-moving, ambiguous environments.

Strong Candidate Backgrounds

• Technical project or program managers in software or technology teams

• Product managers with delivery-heavy experience

• Startup operators or chiefs of staff with technical project oversight

• Delivery leads in engineering or technology organizations

You Likely Have

• 5+ years managing technical projects or programs in software, AI, or product environments

• Strong understanding of AI development workflows, prototyping cycles, and iterative delivery

• Experience working directly with engineers or AI builders in generative AI environments

• The ability to translate ambiguous business problems into structured project plans

• Comfort operating in fast-moving environments where requirements evolve through experimentation

What Makes Someone Successful

The strongest AI Project Managers:

• Focus on outcomes and adoption, not just on-time delivery

• Keep builders unblocked and stakeholders aligned without introducing unnecessary process

• Understand enough about AI systems to ask the right questions and spot risks early

• Communicate clearly across technical and non-technical audiences

• Care about measurable business impact, not just project milestones

• They enjoy making teams more effective and ensuring great work actually ships.

Why This Role Is Different

AI changes the nature of project management.

Traditional PM roles focus on predictable timelines, fixed requirements, and linear delivery. AI projects are different-they involve rapid prototyping, emergent requirements, and outcomes that depend on adoption, not just deployment.

At Hearst, the AI Project Manager operates as a high-leverage delivery leader who combines project management discipline, technical fluency, and stakeholder engagement to ensure that AI initiatives create real transformation across the company.

In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in New York City.  The reasonable estimate, if hired in New York City, is $160,000 - $175,000.  Please note this information is specific to those hired in New York City.  If this role is open to candidates outside of New York City, the salary range would be aligned to that specific location.  A final decision on the successful candidate's starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.  Hearst provides a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401(k), paid holidays and paid time off, employee assistance programs, and more.Strong Candidate Backgrounds