Lead Program Manager

Arcadis•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Arcadis is seeking an experienced Lead Program Manager to join its Chicago team and lead the planning and delivery of complex capital programs for public- and private-sector clients. Programs may include multiple concurrent projects across buildings, transportation, municipal infrastructure, and other capital asset types. The Lead Program Manager will serve as a trusted client advisor and provide leadership across program planning, governance, project controls, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout. The role requires organizing complex work, leading multidisciplinary teams, developing staff, and building lasting client relationships. The position will help establish and grow Arcadis’ Chicago program management team. Building program experience is preferred; the primary requirement is demonstrated success leading capital programs and delivering consistent client results.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, business, or a related field.
At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, project management, design management, construction management, or owner’s representation.
Demonstrated experience leading complex capital programs or portfolios consisting of multiple concurrent projects.
Experience serving as a primary client contact and trusted advisor to senior client leadership.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing project or program managers.
Strong knowledge of program governance, procurement, contracts, project controls, risk management, change management, and executive reporting.
Experience managing program budgets, integrated schedules, forecasts, and performance metrics.
Strong leadership, communication, presentation, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Experience with program management information systems and web-based project management platforms.
Ability to travel to client and project locations as required.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Professional Engineer, preferably in Illinois, or ability to obtain Illinois licensure through comity.
Experience leading building capital programs involving new construction, renovation, modernization, or occupied facilities.
Experience leading transportation, municipal, institutional, or other public-sector capital programs.
Experience establishing or improving a program management office, including governance, standards, controls, and reporting.
Experience with design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager at risk, progressive design-build, or other alternative delivery methods.
Experience with Oracle Primavera P6, Oracle Primavera Unifier, e-Builder, Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Kahua, Power BI, or similar systems.
Project Management Professional, Certified Construction Manager, or Registered Architect credential.
Chicago-area client relationships and knowledge of the local consulting and construction market.
Demonstrated success supporting client development, proposals, interviews, and account growth.

Responsibilities

Serve as program lead and primary day-to-day advisor for assigned clients.
Lead multi-project capital programs from planning through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
Establish program governance, delivery procedures, roles, decision-making processes, and reporting requirements.
Develop and oversee program budgets, integrated master schedules, forecasts, risks, changes, and performance reporting.
Lead program planning, project prioritization, delivery-method selection, procurement strategy, and resource planning.
Coordinate project managers, designers, contractors, construction managers, consultants, vendors, and client stakeholders.
Identify program-wide risks, dependencies, and emerging issues, and lead the development of practical solutions.
Provide executive-level reporting and recommendations on cost, schedule, risk, quality, safety, and overall performance.
Establish and maintain project controls, document management, change management, quality, and reporting processes.
Maintain accountability for client satisfaction, team performance, and successful program delivery.
Lead, mentor, and develop project managers, assistant project managers, project controls professionals, and other team members.
Support staffing decisions and assemble appropriate technical and program management resources for assignments.
Lead or support proposals, interviews, contract negotiations, and strategic pursuits.
Build trusted client relationships and identify opportunities to expand Arcadis’ program and project management services.
Collaborate across Arcadis’ buildings, transportation, water, and infrastructure teams to provide integrated client solutions.