Program Manager - Aviation

STV•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

STV is seeking a Program Manager to join its national Aviation group. The position is onsite at a client location in Chicago, Illinois, and plays a leadership role in planning, delivery, and operational execution of large-scale aviation and terminal development programs. The Program Manager is a senior member of the program leadership team, supporting the Terminal Delivery Director in overseeing capital improvement projects from planning and design through construction, commissioning, and closeout. The role leads strategic delivery initiatives, manages multidisciplinary teams, coordinates with airport stakeholders, and helps ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with operational and client objectives. It provides executive-level leadership across multiple concurrent projects and interfaces, working with clients, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and internal teams. Program areas may include terminal modernization and expansion, airside and landside improvements, passenger experience enhancements, and operational readiness initiatives. The Program Manager also supports client relationships and business development, oversees financial and operational performance, and promotes safety, quality, compliance, sustainability, resilience, and innovation across aviation infrastructure programs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Aviation Management, or a related field.
At least 15 years of progressive experience managing large-scale aviation, infrastructure, transportation, or terminal development projects.
Demonstrated experience leading complex airport terminal projects, capital improvement programs, or aviation infrastructure initiatives involving significant construction values.
Proven success managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering projects in highly operational environments.
Strong knowledge of Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR, Progressive Design-Build, and alternative delivery models.
Experience with project controls, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and construction administration.
Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to work effectively with executive leadership, public agencies, airlines, contractors, and technical teams.
Strong understanding of aviation industry regulations, operational constraints, and airport stakeholder coordination.
Proficiency with project management and reporting tools such as Primavera P6, MS Project, Procore, Bluebeam, or similar systems.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Architect (RA), CCM, PMP, or other relevant professional certification.
Experience working on large hub airport programs or major terminal modernization initiatives.
Familiarity with FAA funding programs, airport operational readiness and transfer (ORAT), and aviation phasing strategies.
Experience with public sector clients and complex stakeholder environments.
Master’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

Support the Terminal Delivery Director in setting strategic direction for aviation and terminal development programs and aligning delivery with client objectives, operational priorities, and business goals.
Lead multiple concurrent aviation projects and integrated workstreams through planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and turnover.
Develop and implement program and project delivery strategies for operational excellence, schedule adherence, cost control, and risk mitigation.
Evaluate and prioritize projects based on strategic importance, operational impact, funding, stakeholder priorities, and resource capacity.
Establish governance frameworks, reporting structures, and performance metrics to monitor program health and outcomes.
Ensure project execution aligns with contracts, regulations, airport standards, sustainability goals, and safety protocols.
Participate in executive decisions concerning project phasing, operational impacts, procurement strategies, and capital planning.
Oversee project management plans covering scope, budget, schedule, quality, risk, procurement, and stakeholder engagement.
Monitor project progress against approved plans and implement corrective actions as needed.
Coordinate interfaces among terminal operations, construction activities, airlines, tenants, security agencies, and airport stakeholders.
Manage project controls, including scheduling, forecasting, cost management, earned value analysis, and change management.
Guide teams in identifying and resolving critical issues, conflicts, and constraints.
Support procurement and contract administration, including RFQs/RFPs, consultant selection, contractor negotiations, and claims resolution.
Ensure compliance with FAA regulations, airport authority requirements, environmental standards, and applicable local, state, and federal codes.
Represent STV in senior client-facing relationships with airport authorities, airlines, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and executive stakeholders.
Facilitate executive meetings, steering committees, and stakeholder workshops to communicate status, risks, milestones, and recommendations.
Anticipate client needs and provide solutions that improve delivery and support long-term partnerships.
Support business development through client engagement, proposal development, interviews, and strategic aviation-sector pursuits.
Represent the organization at industry forums, public meetings, and professional associations related to aviation infrastructure and capital program delivery.
Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary teams, including project managers, engineers, architects, construction managers, planners, and consultants.
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, accountable, innovative, and improvement-focused culture.
Guide project leadership staff on execution strategies, resource allocation, and operational priorities.
Support recruitment, staff development, succession planning, and performance management.
Promote knowledge sharing, lessons learned, and industry best practices.
Monitor program and project financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, staffing plans, cash flow, and profitability objectives.
Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, delivery methods, and cost management.
Provide accurate and timely project performance reporting to executive leadership and clients.
Support annual business plans, resource forecasts, and strategic growth initiatives for the aviation practice.
Oversee risk management, contingency planning, and issue resolution.
Promote safety, quality assurance, and operational excellence across project activities.
Ensure implementation of quality management procedures and compliance with company and client standards.
Monitor compliance with environmental, health, safety, security, and regulatory requirements.
Support sustainability, resilience, and innovation initiatives within aviation infrastructure programs.

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