1. What is a Project Manager at AIG?
At AIG, a Project Manager is more than just a timeline keeper; you are a strategic enabler of business transformation. Whether you are aligned with the Finance organization driving automation and SAP integration, or the GenAI team pioneering data ethics and market data usage, your role is to bridge the gap between complex technical execution and high-level business strategy. You ensure that AIG’s massive scale—operating in approximately 190 countries—does not hinder its ability to innovate.
In this position, you will lead cross-functional initiatives that impact how the company manages risk, serves customers, and optimizes operations. You might be acting as a Release Train Engineer (RTE) facilitating Agile Release Trains, or a Finance Project Manager embedding standardization across global accounting processes. Regardless of the specific team, you are expected to navigate a regulated environment, manage diverse stakeholder expectations, and deliver data-driven outcomes that align with CFO/CEO strategic priorities.
2. Getting Ready for Your Interviews
Preparation for AIG requires a shift in mindset. You need to demonstrate not only your ability to manage a schedule but also your capacity to navigate a large, matrixed financial institution. You should prepare to discuss how you handle governance, risk, and compliance within your project delivery frameworks.
You will be evaluated on the following key criteria:
Operational Discipline & Methodology AIG values rigorous execution. You must demonstrate fluency in formal project management tools and techniques, whether that is SAFe/Agile for the GenAI teams or Waterfall/Hybrid approaches for Finance operations. Interviewers look for your ability to select the right tool for the job and enforce governance without stifling progress.
Stakeholder Management & Communication You will face questions about how you bridge the gap between technical teams (IT, Engineering, Data Science) and business units (Actuarial, Finance, Product). You need to show that you can translate complex technical constraints into business risks and vice versa.
Problem Solving in a Regulated Environment Innovation at AIG happens within strict guardrails. You will be evaluated on your ability to innovate while adhering to compliance, data ethics, and regulatory standards. Candidates who can show they view "risk management" as an enabler rather than a blocker stand out.
Leadership & Influence Especially for roles like the Release Train Engineer or Scrum Master, you are expected to be a "servant leader." You must demonstrate how you coach teams, remove impediments, and influence decision-making without necessarily having direct managerial authority over every contributor.
3. Interview Process Overview
The interview process at AIG is thorough and structured, designed to assess both your technical project management acumen and your cultural fit within a collaborative, in-person focused environment. The process typically begins with a recruiter screening to verify your background, certifications (such as PMP or SAFe), and interest in the specific domain (Finance vs. Tech).
Following the initial screen, you will likely move to a hiring manager interview. This round focuses on your resume deep-dive and specific experience with the tools relevant to the role (e.g., SAP FICO, Jira, Rally). If successful, you will progress to a panel stage (or "loop"). This stage involves multiple interviews with cross-functional partners—product owners, engineering leads, or finance directors. Expect a mix of behavioral questions and situational scenarios that test your ability to handle conflict, manage vendors, and drive delivery under pressure.
The timeline above represents a typical flow, though the specific duration between steps can vary based on the urgency of the role. Use the gaps between rounds to research AIG’s recent strategic shifts in GenAI and Finance modernization. Be prepared for a process that values precision; clear, concise answers are preferred over lengthy, unstructured storytelling.
4. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas
Candidates for Project Management roles at AIG are assessed on specific competencies derived from the complex nature of the insurance industry. Based on the role descriptions, you should focus your preparation on these major areas.
Methodology & Execution Frameworks
You must demonstrate expertise in the specific delivery framework required by the role. For the GenAI and Tech roles, this means deep knowledge of SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), including managing Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and facilitating PI Planning. For Finance roles, this means understanding the SDLC within an ERP context (SAP).
Be ready to go over:
- SAFe/Agile Ceremonies: How you facilitate PI planning, Scrum of Scrums, and retrospectives.
- Waterfall/Hybrid Integration: How you manage dependencies between agile development teams and non-agile business units.
- Metric Tracking: How you use tools like Rally or Jira to track velocity, burn-down, and value flow predictability.
- Advanced concepts: Managing "Pull systems" in Kanban, economic decision-making for Epics, and managing capacity against financial guardrails.
Example questions or scenarios:
- "Describe a time you had to coordinate dependencies across multiple Agile teams that were moving at different speeds."
- "How do you handle a situation where the business requirements change late in the SDLC?"
Stakeholder & Vendor Management
AIG relies heavily on external data providers (e.g., Verisk, Moody's) and complex internal cross-application teams. You will be tested on your ability to manage these relationships effectively.
Be ready to go over:
- Vendor Negotiation: Partnering with procurement to manage SLAs and licensing terms for market data.
- Cross-functional Communication: Acting as the liaison between "Business" (Accounting/Actuarial) and "IT."
- Conflict Resolution: Managing conflicting priorities between a Product Owner wanting features and a Governance lead requiring compliance.
Example questions or scenarios:
- "Tell me about a time you had to escalate a critical risk to a stakeholder who did not want to hear it."
- "How do you manage a vendor who is underperforming on their data delivery SLAs?"
Governance, Risk, & Compliance
In the insurance industry, and specifically in the new GenAI initiatives, governance is paramount. You need to show you understand the ethical and legal implications of the projects you manage.
Be ready to go over:
- Data Ethics: Establishing oversight functions for responsible AI usage.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring projects meet internal audit and external legal requirements.
- Risk Mitigation: Proactively identifying risks in the project plan and creating mitigation strategies before they become issues.
Example questions or scenarios:
- "How do you ensure data quality and integrity in a project involving external market data ingestion?"
- "Describe your approach to implementing a new governance framework in a team that is resistant to process."
5. Key Responsibilities
As a Project Manager at AIG, your daily work is a blend of strategic planning and tactical execution. You are responsible for the end-to-end delivery of initiatives, whether that involves implementing a new SAP module or launching a GenAI market data program.
You will spend a significant portion of your time engaging with business teams globally to gather and document requirements. In the Finance domain, this involves interpreting accounting needs and working with IT to finalize designs for automation. In the GenAI space, this involves collaborating with data scientists and actuaries to identify external data sources that drive competitive intelligence.
You are also the guardian of the process. You will prepare project plans, manage unit/integration test plans, and coordinate User Acceptance Testing (UAT). For Agile roles, you will facilitate ceremonies, coach Scrum Masters, and ensure the "flow of value" remains uninterrupted. You are expected to escalate risks early and provide the transparency needed for leadership to make data-driven decisions.
6. Role Requirements & Qualifications
AIG looks for a specific blend of industry experience and technical certification.
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Technical & Methodological Skills
- Certifications: PMP is highly valued for Finance/Ops roles. SAFe Certification (SPC, RTE, or SA) is critical for the GenAI and Agile roles.
- Tools: Proficiency in Jira or Rally for Agile management. Strong knowledge of SAP (FICO, GL, BW) is essential for Finance PMs.
- Data Literacy: Familiarity with Power BI, Excel, and data governance frameworks.
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Experience Level
- Seniority: Most roles require substantial experience (5-10+ years), with specific requirements for experience in the Insurance or Financial Services industry.
- Vendor Management: Proven experience managing contracts and external data providers (Verisk, LexisNexis, etc.) is a key differentiator.
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Soft Skills
- Servant Leadership: The ability to coach and mentor rather than just "command and control."
- Communication: Strong verbal and written skills are non-negotiable, given the need to present to executive leadership and coordinate with offshore teams.
7. Common Interview Questions
The following questions are representative of the types of inquiries you will face at AIG. They are drawn from the core competencies of the role and the company's focus on structured, value-driven delivery. Expect a mix of behavioral questions (STAR method) and technical scenario-based questions.
Behavioral & Leadership
- Tell me about a time you had to lead a project where you had no direct authority over the team members. How did you ensure delivery?
- Describe a situation where you had to coach a Scrum Master or team member who was struggling with Agile practices.
- Give an example of a time you used data to persuade a senior stakeholder to change their strategic direction.
- How do you handle a situation where a key project milestone is at risk due to an external vendor delay?
- Tell me about a time you failed to identify a risk early enough. What happened, and how did you fix it?
Methodology & Technical Execution
- How do you measure the "health" of an Agile Release Train? What specific metrics do you look at in Jira/Rally?
- Walk me through your process for managing a project budget and ensuring adherence to financial guardrails.
- How do you approach User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for a complex financial system migration (e.g., SAP)?
- In a hybrid environment, how do you synchronize a Waterfall finance deliverable with an Agile development timeline?
- Explain how you would set up a data governance framework for a new external data source.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How technical do I need to be for these PM roles? It depends on the specific team. For Finance PM roles, functional knowledge of SAP and accounting processes (Month End, FX, Allocation) is crucial. For GenAI/Agile roles, you don't need to code, but you must understand the software development lifecycle, data ingestion pipelines, and Agile architecture well enough to remove impediments for engineers.
Q: What is the work location policy? AIG has a strong culture of in-person collaboration. The job descriptions explicitly state that team members are asked to be primarily in the office. You should be prepared to discuss your ability to work onsite in locations like Atlanta, GA, or the Tri-state area (CT/NJ/NY).
Q: What differentiates a top candidate from an average one? A top candidate at AIG demonstrates "process maturity." They don't just follow a checklist; they understand why the governance exists and can explain how they tailor their approach to mitigate risk while maintaining speed. Domain knowledge in P&C Insurance is also a massive differentiator.
Q: How does AIG view "Servant Leadership"? This is critical for the RTE and Scrum Master roles. AIG looks for leaders who focus on unblocking their teams and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, rather than managers who simply assign tasks and demand status updates.
9. Other General Tips
- Know the "Why": AIG is currently focused on "Reimagining insurance." Whether it is through GenAI or Finance Automation, frame your answers around how your project management skills help the company modernize and serve clients better.
- Brush up on Insurance Terminology: Even if you are in a pure tech role, understanding terms like "P&C" (Property & Casualty), "Actuarial," and "Underwriting" will help you build rapport with business stakeholders during the interview.
- Prepare for the "Hybrid" Reality: You may be working with offshore teams. Be ready to discuss how you manage time zones, cultural differences, and communication barriers to ensure seamless delivery.
- Focus on Value, Not Just Output: When discussing past projects, don't just say "I delivered X feature." Say "I delivered X feature which reduced processing time by Y% or saved $Z in vendor costs." AIG is very metrics-driven.
10. Summary & Next Steps
The role of Project Manager at AIG offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of massive scale and cutting-edge modernization. Whether you are driving the adoption of Generative AI or streamlining critical financial operations, you will be a key player in the company’s strategic evolution. This is a role for a disciplined, communicative, and resilient leader who thrives in a complex, regulated environment.
To succeed, focus your preparation on your ability to execute within frameworks (SAFe/Waterfall), your skill in managing diverse stakeholders, and your commitment to governance and risk management. Review your past experiences and identify clear examples where you navigated ambiguity to deliver tangible business value.
The salary range provided in the modules and job descriptions (e.g., $76k-$95k for certain finance roles) serves as a baseline, but compensation can vary significantly based on location (NY/NJ vs. Atlanta) and the specific technical demands of the role (GenAI/RTE roles often command higher brackets). Focus on demonstrating your specialized skills and industry experience to position yourself at the top of the range.
You have the experience and the skills; now it is about framing them in the context of AIG’s mission. Good luck with your preparation!