Deputy Program Manager / Delivery Lead - Aviation

STV•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

STV is seeking a Deputy Program Manager / Delivery Lead to join its national Aviation group, working onsite at a client location in Chicago, Illinois. This leadership role supports the successful execution and delivery of large-scale aviation and terminal development programs, serving as the operational lead and second-in-command to the Terminal Delivery Director. The position oversees day-to-day management, coordination, and integration of multiple projects and workstreams across complex capital improvement programs, ensuring delivery safely, efficiently, on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with airport operations and client objectives. The role coordinates project teams, contractors, consultants, airport stakeholders, and client leadership, and drives accountability and delivery performance throughout planning, design, construction, commissioning, occupancy, and turnover. The work supports aviation infrastructure initiatives such as terminal modernization and expansion, airside and landside improvements, passenger experience enhancements, and operational readiness. The Deputy Program Manager / Delivery Lead provides program and project delivery leadership, stakeholder and client coordination, team leadership, financial and operational oversight, and support for safety, quality, compliance, sustainability, resilience, and continuous improvement. The position also contributes to business development, client engagement, interviews, and aviation pursuits as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Aviation Management, or a related field.
Minimum 12–15+ years of progressive experience delivering aviation, transportation, infrastructure, or capital improvement projects.
Demonstrated experience managing large-scale airport terminal development projects or complex aviation infrastructure programs.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in active operational environments.
Strong understanding of project delivery methodologies, including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR, Progressive Design-Build, and alternative delivery approaches.
Experience with project controls, scheduling, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and construction administration.
Exceptional leadership, communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to engage effectively with executive leadership, airport operators, contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies.
Strong understanding of airport operations, construction phasing, and stakeholder coordination requirements.
Proficiency with Primavera P6, MS Project, Procore, Bluebeam, and related project delivery tools.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect (RA), CCM, PMP, or other relevant professional certification.
Experience supporting delivery of large hub airport capital programs or terminal modernization initiatives.
Familiarity with FAA funding programs, ORAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer), and aviation phasing strategies.
Experience working with public sector clients and highly complex stakeholder environments.
Master's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Serve as Deputy Program Manager and operational lead supporting the Terminal Delivery Director in executing complex aviation capital programs.
Lead day-to-day delivery activities across concurrent projects, maintaining alignment with schedule, budget, quality, safety, and operational objectives.
Coordinate project managers, construction managers, design consultants, project controls, and stakeholder teams.
Drive team accountability through communication, performance monitoring, and proactive issue resolution.
Assist with program governance, performance reporting, delivery standards, and consistent application of policies, procedures, and best practices.
Provide recommendations to support executive decisions on project sequencing, risk mitigation, resource planning, and operational impacts.
Oversee projects from planning and design through construction, commissioning, occupancy, and closeout; monitor performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
Coordinate interfaces among terminal operations, construction activities, airlines, tenants, airport departments, security agencies, and external stakeholders.
Partner with project controls on schedules, budgets, forecasting, change management, risk registers, and program reporting.
Identify delivery risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Support procurement, contractor management, consultant coordination, and contract administration.
Ensure compliance with airport operational requirements, safety standards, regulatory requirements, and program controls.
Represent the program in day-to-day client-facing delivery activities and build relationships with airport authorities, airlines, consultants, contractors, and executive stakeholders.
Lead coordination meetings, stakeholder workshops, and delivery reviews; communicate status, risks, constraints, and recovery plans.
Facilitate stakeholder issue resolution while maintaining alignment with program objectives and operational priorities.
Support client reporting and executive presentations on program performance, milestones, and strategic initiatives.
Contribute to business development, client engagement, interviews, and aviation pursuits as needed.
Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, promote collaboration and accountability, and support staffing, resource allocation, workload balancing, and succession planning.
Guide project leadership teams on delivery strategies, execution methodologies, and issue resolution.
Support program and project financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, staffing plans, and cost controls.
Review performance metrics, improve delivery effectiveness and operational efficiency, and ensure timely and accurate performance reporting.
Collaborate with project controls and finance teams to monitor trends, forecasts, and recovery strategies.
Assist with annual business plans, resource planning, and operational improvement initiatives.
Champion safety, quality, and operational excellence; support quality assurance and quality control procedures.
Monitor compliance with FAA regulations, environmental requirements, airport standards, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
Promote sustainability, resilience, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout project delivery.

Benefits

Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare, dependent care, and transit and parking where applicable
Disability insurance
Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
401(k) plan
Retirement counseling
Employee Assistance Program
Paid Time Off
Paid holidays
Back-up dependent care
Parental leave
Continuing Education Program
Professional licensure and society memberships