AI Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position : Artificial Intelligence Project Manager

Location / Department : Richmond Headquarters / Information Systems

Status : Full-Time / Salaried Exempt

C ompany

Universal is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Tobacco sourcing and processing has been the Company's principal focus since its founding in 1918. The largest portion of the Company's business involves procuring and processing flue-cured, burley, and dark air-cured leaf tobacco for manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. Over the past few years, Universal has expanded its business through a series of acquisitions to develop a plant-based ingredients business segment to support the food and beverage markets which will provide future growth opportunities for Universal. We are now a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers, that sources and processes leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. Through our plant-based ingredients platform, we provide a variety of value-added manufacturing processes to produce high-quality, specialty vegetable- and fruit-based ingredients as well as botanical extracts and flavorings for human and pet food end markets.

Universal conducts business in over 30 countries on five continents and employs over 25,000 permanent and seasonal workers. Domestically, Universal employs over 1,000 permanent and seasonal workers, and its revenues ending March 31, 2024, were $2.75 billion.

For more information on Universal, visit our website at www.universalcorp.com

Summary

As an Artificial Intelligence Project Manager at Universal, you will lead the strategic planning, execution, and delivery of AI initiatives that drive innovation and measurable business impact. You will oversee the full lifecycle of AI projects—from concept through deployment—while managing a small team of AI Engineers and collaborating with cross-functional global stakeholders. This role requires a blend of technical acumen, project management expertise, and leadership capability to ensure scalable, high-performing AI solutions.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

• Lead the execution and delivery of global AI projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Chair the Corporate AI Advisory Committee, analyze use-cases that align with the AI and support the regional and local AI support teams globally.
• Translate business challenges into actionable AI.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, including scope, milestones, deliverables, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Manage multiple concurrent AI initiatives, balancing priorities and ensuring delivery within scope, budget, and schedule.
• Supervise and mentor a small team of AI Engineers, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Facilitate agile ceremonies (e.g., sprint planning, retrospectives) and ensure project documentation is current and accessible.
• Monitor project progress, proactively identify risks and issues, and implement mitigation strategies and corrective actions.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality communications, including executive briefings, stakeholder updates, and project dashboards.
• Establish and maintain structured weekly reporting frameworks to ensure transparency and execution discipline.
• Utilize modern project management tools (e.g., MSFT Planner) to maintain real-time visibility and track progress.
• Stay current with emerging AI technologies, tools, and best practices to inform solution design and strategic decision-making.

Minimum Requirements

Preferred Skills

Benefits

We offer a wide range of market-competitive total rewards that include 401(k) match, pension, merit increases, paid holidays, medical, dental, life, vision, short and long-term disability benefits, and tuition assistance to name a few.

EOE M / F / Disabled / Vet Employer

All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.