Deputy Program Manager / Delivery Lead - Aviation

STV•Chicago, IL

3d•$204,441 - $227,156•Onsite

About The Position

STV is seeking a Deputy Program Manager / Delivery Lead to join its national Aviation group. This onsite role is based at a client location in Chicago, Illinois. The position serves as the operational lead and second-in-command to the Terminal Delivery Director, overseeing the day-to-day management, coordination, and integration of multiple projects and workstreams across complex aviation capital improvement programs. The role is accountable for helping deliver projects safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget while maintaining alignment with airport operational requirements and client objectives. It coordinates project teams, contractors, consultants, airport stakeholders, and client leadership, and drives accountability and delivery performance across the program. The successful candidate will lead complex aviation infrastructure projects, multidisciplinary teams, and program delivery efforts spanning planning, design, construction, commissioning, and turnover. The position supports aviation infrastructure initiatives such as terminal modernization and expansion, airside and landside improvements, passenger experience enhancements, and operational readiness efforts. It also contributes to client engagement and business development activities 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 Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR, Progressive Design-Build, and alternative project 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, aligning work with schedule, budget, quality, safety, and operational objectives.
Coordinate project managers, construction managers, design consultants, project controls, and stakeholder teams.
Drive accountability through communication, performance monitoring, and proactive issue resolution.
Assist with program governance, performance reporting structures, and delivery standards.
Provide recommendations for executive decisions on project sequencing, risk mitigation, resource planning, and operational impacts.
Promote consistent delivery approaches, policies, procedures, and best practices across the program portfolio.
Oversee projects from planning and design through construction, commissioning, occupancy, and closeout.
Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions when needed.
Coordinate interfaces among terminal operations, construction activities, airlines, tenants, airport departments, security agencies, and external stakeholders.
Work with project controls teams 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 project teams comply 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 covering 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 continuous improvement, 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, identify delivery and operational efficiency improvements, and ensure timely reporting of schedule, budget, risk, and program indicators.
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 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