Lead Program Manager

Arcadis

. Serve as program lead and primary day-to-day advisor for assigned clients .

Posted 11/5/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • United StatesSenior💰 $136,000 - $185,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in program management, including leading complex capital programs, managing multidisciplinary teams, and establishing program governance and reporting processes. Proven ability to develop and oversee budgets, schedules, and performance metrics while maintaining client satisfaction and delivering successful project outcomes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Program ManagementClient Relationship ManagementLeadership and Team DevelopmentRisk ManagementBudget Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Program GovernanceProject ControlsChange ManagementPerformance MetricsConstruction ManagementDesign ManagementProcurement StrategyIntegrated SchedulingCapital Program DeliveryExecutive Reporting

Soft Skills

CommunicationNegotiationProblem-SolvingPresentationTeam Leadership

Tools & Technologies

Oracle Primavera P6Oracle Primavera UnifierE-BuilderProcoreAutodesk Construction CloudKahuaPower BI

Certifications & Qualifications

Project Management ProfessionalCertified Construction ManagerRegistered ArchitectLicensed Professional Engineer

Industry Keywords

Capital ProgramsPublic-Sector ProjectsConstruction ManagementDesign-Bid-BuildProgressive Design-BuildMunicipal ProjectsInstitutional ProjectsClient DevelopmentAccount GrowthChicago-Area Market Knowledge

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudOraclePMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

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 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 resource allocation 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

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, business, or a related field
Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible program management, project management, design management, construction management, or owner’s representative experience
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
Licensed Professional Engineer, preferably in Illinois, or the 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

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
401K
Short-term disability (STD)
Long-term disability (LTD)
AD&D insurance
Life insurance
Paid parental leave
Reward & recognition program
Wellbeing benefits
Adoption assistance
Tuition reimbursement
Nine paid holidays
15 days PTO accruing per year