Haissam Khan — PM · Process

About

Engineering roots.
Management discipline.
AI conviction.

I started in engineering and manufacturing, moved into project management and PMO leadership, and now work at the intersection of operational excellence and emerging technology at Air Liquide Japan.

I lead digital transformation and continuous improvement initiatives — building the systems, standards, and tools that help project teams execute with more clarity and less friction. I also design and build AI-powered tools for project teams — covering decision support, process improvement, risk assessment, and daily productivity. Not because AI is trendy, but because I keep finding real gaps where it delivers value.

I come from an operations background, which means every tool I build starts with a real problem, not a technology looking for a use case.

Good project management is about people first, tools second — I build the tools so the people can do their best work.

Journey

From engineering to the edge of AI

A career built on making complex things clearer and operations better — now extending into practical AI and digital transformation.

2019 → Present

Project & Program Manager · PMO · C-IMP Leader

Air Liquide Japan — Tokyo

Leading domestic project PMO, digital transformation initiatives, and continuous improvement. Built standardized workflows saving ¥8M/project. Recognized as ALJ Star Employee and AI Champion.

2021 → 2023

MA International Relations — Governance & Policy

Waseda University (GSAPS) — Tokyo

Graduated with distinction. Contributed to CAIDP's Annual AI Policy Report on democratic values and AI governance across 80+ countries.

2016 → 2018

MBA in Project Management

Kyoto University (GSM) — Kyoto

Won JETRO Startup Business Visa Award. Represented Kyoto University as the only team from Japan at a European international negotiation competition.

2010 → 2019

Engineer → Project Lead → PM

Engineering & Manufacturing — Pakistan, Japan

Progressive career across engineering, manufacturing, and automotive sectors. Built the operational foundation for everything that followed.

Recognition

Selected highlights

Moments that reflect the work and the impact, not just the titles.

⭐

ALJ Star Employee

Air Liquide Japan

Recognized for PMO Digital Transformation & Standardization project delivering measurable business results in efficiency and process optimization.

🤖

AI Champion & Ambassador

Air Liquide

Selected to drive AI awareness and practical adoption across the organization, bridging business needs with emerging AI capabilities.

📘

CAIDP Annual Report Contributor

Center for AI & Digital Policy

Contributed to the global AI and Democratic Values Index — a 1,500-page report covering AI governance across 80+ countries.

🏆

JETRO Startup Business Visa Award

Japan External Trade Organization

Won special award at international business pitch competition during MBA at Kyoto University.

🌍

International Negotiation Competition

Kyoto University → Europe

Represented Kyoto University as the only team from Japan at a prestigious international negotiation competition in Europe.

🎓

Distinction — GSAPS

Waseda University

Graduated with high grades and distinction from the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies.

What people say

46 professionals have endorsed my work

Selected endorsements from managers, professors, and colleagues across 15 years.

Manager

Haissam is an exceptional professional with a remarkable ability to deliver high-quality work consistently. His dedication, attention to detail, and innovative approach have significantly contributed to the success of our projects. He possesses strong analytical skills and is adept at problem-solving, making him a valuable asset to any team.

Daisuke Inuzuka

Director, Head of Project Execution Department, Air Liquide

HoD / Manager at Air Liquide Japan

Mentor

I have taught many students at Kyoto University Graduate School of Business, but Mr. Haissam Khan is definitely one of the best business students. Mr. Khan was very open-minded with new knowledge and was very flexible to apply it in his analysis on real business cases. He contributed to class discussions with his practical insights based on his broad knowledge and experience.

Yoshitaka Yamada

Partner, PwC & Visiting Professor, Kyoto University

Professor at Kyoto University

Manager

Haissam is an asset to a Project team. I led him on the Borouge (ADNOC) project and recall him as a good engineer, a self starter, an excellent team mate. He knows how to maintain his cool under severe duress, he can multitask and deliver results above expectations. His sense of ownership is exemplary. Wherever he goes, they will never regret the decision of taking him on board.

Shafqat Iqbal

Senior Instrumentation Engineer, QatarEnergy

Project Team Leader at Descon

Mentor

I observed a sense of responsibility and leadership in all his assignments and group work as a sincere, focused and team-oriented individual. His consciousness of self-development was evident from all his queries to learn more. Haissam has a strong potential to add value to both his profession and society.

Masato Abe

Economist, United Nations Secretariat & Visiting Professor, Waseda University

Professor at Waseda University

View all 46 recommendations → All sourced from LinkedIn