Senior Technical Project Manager · AI Strategy
Senior Technical Project Manager · AI Strategy
Karthik Ponnappan
At the forefront of AI strategy and experience intelligence — transforming data products into strategic tools that empower businesses to predict and shape customer experiences. 12+ years spanning implementation consulting, data architecture, and product leadership.
About
I’m a Senior Technical Project Manager at Verizon, working at the intersection of AI strategy, data engineering, and product intelligence. My work involves transforming complex data ecosystems into strategic, forward-looking tools that shape how businesses understand and serve their customers.
My background is a rare blend — I started as an Analyst Programmer, evolved through HCM implementation consulting across 5 countries, then shifted into data architecture, product management, and eventually AI-led engineering leadership. I’ve shipped payroll and HCM systems for multinationals in Norway, South Africa, Australia, Dubai, and Kuwait.
Currently also working on machine learning fundamentals, scripting in Python, and building data science & prediction models for business analytics. I offer freelance services in IT Consulting, Application Development, Business Analytics, and Custom Software Development.
12+
Years of experience
5
Countries worked in
MS
Artificial Intelligence — Woolf
AI
Strategy & LLM leadership at Verizon
Skills & Expertise
AI / ML
Large Language Models
Machine Learning
Deep Learning
ML-Ops
RecSys
Time Series
Data
Data Science
Data Analytics
Data Integration
Data Governance
Data Visualization
Business Intelligence
Engineering
Python
SQL
Algorithms
Metadata Management
Solution Architecture
Oracle
Product & Leadership
Technical Product Management
Product Vision
Product Strategy
Product Operations
Team Leadership
Strategic Thinking
Experience
Verizon
Senior Technical Project Manager
May 2025 – Present
At the forefront of AI strategy and experience intelligence, transforming data products into strategic tools that empower businesses to predict and shape customer experiences.
Product Management
Data Analytics
LLM
ZoomInfo
Manager
Jan 2024 - Aug 2025
Product Vision
Data Integration
Metadata Management
Product Operations
Data Governance
BNP Paribas
Technical Architect
Feb 2021 – Jan 2024
Product Vision
Data Integration
Metadata Management
Data Science
Data Analytics
Fiserv
Application Analyst
Apr 2020 – Feb 2021
Metadata Management
Data Analytics
Cognizant
Senior Associate
Feb 2018 – Apr 2020
Verizon Enterprise (UST Global)
Technical Consultant
Aug 2016 – Feb 2018
Ramco Systems
HCM Implementation Consultant
Jul 2013 – Aug 2016 · Chennai
Successfully completed multiple projects as Functional Consultant across international and Indian deployments. Managed full project cycles from requirement gathering to Go-live, with multi-country customer exposure across Norway, South Africa, Australia, Dubai, India, and Kuwait.
- Customer Management & Onsite Support
- Requirement Engineering & Solution Architecture
- Test Case development, Data Modelling & User testing
- Training, Functional & Technical Handovers
Analyst Programmer Trainee
Jul 2012 – Jul 2013 · Bangalore
Developer role with technical discussions, onsite assignments, and coordination between Business Analyst and engineering for project delivery.
Notable Projects
01 · Verizon / UST Global
CA PPM — Project Management & Business Study
Ongoing engagement in project management and business process analysis using CA PPM tooling for structured planning and delivery tracking.
Jun 2016 – Present
Project Management
02 · Ramco Systems
Kerzner International — Australia & Cape Town Properties
Global hospitality HCM rollout for Kerzner International. Delivered Core HR, Leave, Time Management and Payroll with Chris21 interface. Onsite consultant across Dubai and Cape Town properties. Nullified manual leave and payroll processes.
Apr 2015 – Jan 2016
Onsite
HCM
Payroll
03 · Ramco Systems
Mogale City Municipality — SA Payroll
First South African Payroll project for Ramco. Business Analyst role covering requirement gathering, solution design for payroll covering 3,000+ employees, and interface design with Smart-HR system.
Mar 2015 – May 2015
South Africa
Business Analyst
04 · Ramco Systems
KENT RO Industries, Delhi
End-to-end HCM implementation for India’s leading water purification brand. Designed fully automated time interface, drove payroll go-live with 100% accuracy, and earned formal appreciation from customer leadership.
Mar 2014 – Jan 2015
Time & Attendance
Payroll
India Statutory
05 · Ramco Systems
Aerogulf / Aero Norway, Norway
First international project — full cycle HCM implementation for aviation MRO company in Norway. Delivered Core HR, Leave and Training modules on time. Recognised as a solution-oriented consultant by the client.
Nov 2013 – Apr 2014
Norway
Aviation
HCM
06 · Ramco Systems
Amicorp — Appraisal & Succession Planning
Implemented Core HR, Leave, appraisal process with standard deviation-based rating normalisation, and Career & Succession Planning for a global finance consulting firm.
Apr 2013 – Apr 2014
Algorithm Design
HR Tech
Education
Woolf University
Master of Science — Artificial Intelligence
Oct 2021 – May 2024
Grade: 3. Coursework in supervised & unsupervised algorithms, statistics, core mathematics for Data Science, Recommender Systems, Time Series, Deep Learning, and ML-Ops.
Anna University, Chennai
Bachelor's Degree — Computer Science
2008 – 2012
First Class. Secretary of FOSS, Head of Computer Society of India (CSI). Presented 2 technology papers at MIT FOSS club. Founded and established CSI chapter in college.
St. Bede's Anglo Indian School
High School — Computer Science
2006 – 2008
Grade: 8.1. State-level winner in science competitions. Active in cultural society and computer lab management.
Licenses & Certifications
SQL Advanced
HackerRank · Sep 2023
Digital Product Management
Coursera · Feb 2023
BNP Paribas Cloud Practitioner
BNP Paribas · Jan 2022 · ID d99738
Python Certification
Pirple · Feb 2021
Python for Data Visualization
LinkedIn Learning · Feb 2021
Programming Foundations: Algorithms
LinkedIn Learning · Feb 2021
How to Make Strategic Thinking a Habit
LinkedIn Learning · Jan 2021
Learning Python
LinkedIn Learning · Jan 2021
Freelance Services
Available Services
IT Consulting
Application Development
Custom Software Development
Database Development
Business Analytics
Core Stack
Python
Data Science & ML Models
Prediction Analytics
Leadership Dashboards
Hypothesis Testing
Availability
Remote
In-person (Chennai)
Let's work on something meaningful.
Open to senior roles, consulting engagements, and interesting problems at the intersection of AI, data engineering, and product strategy. Available remotely or in-person across Chennai.