Senior Manager - People AI Product Management

Company Description

Organizations everywhere struggle under the crushing costs and complexities of "solutions" that promise to simplify their lives. To create a better experience for their customers and employees. To help them grow. Software is a choice that can make or break a business. Create better or worse experiences. Propel or throttle growth. Business software has become a blocker instead of ways to get work done.

There's another option. Freshworks. With a fresh vision for how the world works.
 

At Freshworks, we build uncomplicated service software that delivers exceptional customer and employee experiences. Our enterprise-grade solutions are powerful, yet easy to use, and quick to deliver results. Our people-first approach to AI eliminates friction, making employees more effective and organizations more productive. Over 72,000 companies, including Bridgestone, New Balance, Nucor, S&P Global, and Sony Music, trust Freshworks' customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX) software to fuel customer loyalty and service efficiency. And, over 4,500 Freshworks employees make this possible, all around the world.

Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.

Job Description

Overview

The Senior Manager, People AI Product Management is a strategic leader responsible for driving transformative change across our HR function through AI-powered and emerging technology solutions. This role shapes and delivers our AI & Innovation solutioning agenda, oversees Transformation & Process Excellence programs, and continuously improves HR processes and systems to enable a future-ready workforce. With a focus on experimentation, scaling, and governance, this leader ensures our people, processes, and technology deliver an exceptional employee experience.

Reporting to the Director of HR Digital Transformation & AI Strategy, the Senior Manager will lead a team of Product Owners to design, pilot, and scale AI-enabled and automation solutions, optimize HR operations, and champion digital adoption and cultural change.

Please note: This is a hybrid role that will be based in San Mateo, CA and requires an in-office presence three days per week (Tuesday - Thursday). 

Job Description

Strategic Planning & Innovation Solutioning 

• Develop and execute HR transformation strategies with a focus on AI innovation and future workforce needs.

• Translate business challenges into AI and emerging technology solutions that are scalable and measurable.

• Define priorities for experimental pilots, proof-of-concepts, and enterprise-scale AI solutions.

Technology Implementation & AI Deployment

• Direct the design, development, and integration of new HR technologies, including Workday enhancements, AI models, and automation tools.

• Ensure smooth adoption through effective system selection, configuration, testing, and user systems training.

Process Optimization & Automation

• Identify and redesign processes to maximize efficiency, cost savings, and employee experience through AI and intelligent automation.

• Establish governance, standards, and best practices for AI solutioning and deployment.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders across HR, IT, Legal, and the business.

• Effectively communicate vision, progress, and impact of transformation efforts.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of Product Owners.

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Provide oversight and direction for complex AI-driven and HR transformation initiatives, partnering closely with the PMO to ensure projects are effectively planned, tracked, and delivered on time and within budget.

• When needed, directly manage smaller-scale or cross-functional projects where dedicated PMO resources are not available, applying sound project management practices.

• Coordinate project priorities, resources, and dependencies to ensure successful execution of transformation and innovation efforts.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience working with Workday, including HRIS support and optimization.

• Proven success managing large-scale transformation, change, and technology implementation initiatives.

• Strong knowledge of HR principles, processes, and emerging HR technologies.

• Familiarity with AI/ML, automation, natural language processing (NLP), and chatbots in an HR context — including the ability to design, & configure AI agents or virtual assistants.

• Skilled in design thinking, solution architecture, and agile delivery.

• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.

• Exposure to AI Agent or Intelligent Automation tools that combine RPA with NLP or decision engines to enable more dynamic, conversational workflows

• Workday implementation experience; modules such as Absence Management, Advanced Compensation, Benefits, Payroll, and Time Tracking preferred.

• Exposure to AI ethics, responsible AI practices and data privacy frameworks.

Additional Information

Please note: This is a hybrid role that will be based in San Mateo, CA and requires an in-office presence three days per week (Tuesday - Thursday). 

This role is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the expected base salary range for this position is as shown below. The actual base pay is dependent upon a variety of job-related factors such as professional background, training, work experience, business needs and market demand. Therefore, in some circumstances, the actual salary could fall outside of this expected range. This pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role is also eligible for a target bonus.

Compensation Package

$183,500 - $263,810 USD Base Salary

Compensation is based on a variety of factors including but not limited to location, experience, job-related skills, and level. Bonus/equity may be available. Freshworks offers multiple options for dental, medical, vision, disability and life insurances. Equity + ESPP, flexible PTO, flexible spending, commuter benefits and wellness benefits are also offered. Freshworks also offers adoption and parental leave benefits.

At Freshworks, we have fostered an environment that enables everyone to find their true potential, purpose, and passion, welcoming colleagues of all backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and ethnicities. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant, richer environment that boosts the goals of our employees, communities, and business. Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.