CLARE ODINGA
Nairobi
Summary
Accomplished Project Manager with extensive leadership in delivering AI data annotation and machine learning programmes for global enterprises. Drove successful project outcomes by collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams, transforming client requirements into actionable plans, and managing end-to-end project lifecycles to achieve timely delivery and quality standards.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager - Launch (AI Program Delivery)
Sama
02.2021 - Current
- Lead end-to-end implementation and launch of AI data annotation programs for Fortune 50 clients, partnering with Sales, Solutions Engineering, Operations, and Quality teams to deliver successful project outcomes from discovery through production.
- Manage the complete project lifecycle from solution handover through production launch.
- Lead project planning, resource allocation, risk management, stakeholder communication, and delivery governance.
- Translate client requirements into executable delivery plans, annotation workflows, and operational processes.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams across Operations, QA, Training, Technical Operations, and Solutions Engineering.
- Drive production readiness through onboarding, calibration, workflow validation, and quality assurance.
- Manage project risks, dependencies, client escalations, and change requests.
- Deliver client-facing project updates, governance reporting, and executive-level communications.
- Identify opportunities to improve delivery efficiency and reduce time to production.
- Successfully launched 12 AI programs across 13 enterprise clients in 2025.
- Achieved a 100% pilot success rate.
- Improved pilot-to-production conversion from 50% to 83%.
- Generated $257K in new bookings during 2025 and $235K during H1 2026.
- Decreased pilot duration from 12 weeks to 2 weeks.
- Lowered complex project scoping turnaround from 2 weeks to less than 2 days.
- Established performance reporting that strengthened client confidence and supported business growth.
Project Manager - Service Delivery
Sama
06.2018 - 01.2021
- Oversaw multiple concurrent AI annotation programs while leading cross-functional delivery teams responsible for operational performance, quality, and client satisfaction.
- Managed end-to-end delivery across multiple enterprise client accounts.
- Served as the primary point of contact between global clients and delivery teams.
- Led workforce planning, operational reporting, and SLA management.
- Managed project risks, escalations, and delivery priorities.
- Introduced structured reporting that improved visibility for leadership and clients.
QA Supervisor
Sama
02.2017 - 06.2018
- Led Quality Assurance across multiple AI data programs.
- Built quality frameworks and audit processes.
- Led calibration and root cause analysis.
- Reduced quality issues through process improvements.
- Partnered with Training and Operations to improve delivery performance.
Quality Analyst
Sama
02.2016 - 01.2017
- Assisted quality assurance activities through transaction auditing, reporting, and collaboration with operational teams to improve accuracy and consistency.
Quality Coordinator
Techno Brain Group
09.2014 - 02.2016
- Oversaw quality monitoring, reporting, client feedback implementation, and supported operational improvement initiatives.
BPO Executive
Techno Brain Group
05.2011 - 09.2014
- Developed expertise in customer operations and transaction processing while coordinating teams and managing quality standards.
Education
Diploma - Clothing Technology
The Kenya Polytechnic
Nairobi, Kenya01-2003
Skills
- Project planning and execution
- Resource planning
- Change management
- AI data management
- Data analysis
- Workflow design
- Risk assessment
- Quality assurance
- Continuous improvement
- Process optimisation
- Stakeholder management
- Client implementation
- Client relationship management
- Cross-functional leadership
- Team development initiatives
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Swahili
Proficient
C2
Achievements
- 10+ years progressing from Quality Analyst to Project Manager
- Successfully launched 12 AI programs across 13 enterprise clients in 2025
- Achieved 100% pilot success rate
- Boosted pilot-to-production conversion from 50% to 83%
- Generated $257K in new bookings in 2025 and $235K in H1 2026
- Decreased pilot launch timelines from 12 weeks to 2 weeks
- Led cross-functional teams across Quality, Delivery, Training, Solutions Engineering, and Operations.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Project Manager - Launch (AI Program Delivery)
Sama
02.2021 - Current
Project Manager - Service Delivery
Sama
06.2018 - 01.2021
QA Supervisor
Sama
02.2017 - 06.2018
Quality Analyst
Sama
02.2016 - 01.2017
Quality Coordinator
Techno Brain Group
09.2014 - 02.2016
BPO Executive
Techno Brain Group
05.2011 - 09.2014
Diploma - Clothing Technology
The Kenya Polytechnic