Program Director – Higher Education Construction Project Management

Company Description

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. 

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. 

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world. 

Job Description

Turner & Townsend Heery is seeking an experienced and strategic Program Director to lead a large-scale higher education capital improvement program. This role is responsible for overseeing all phases of design and construction, managing a multidisciplinary team, and ensuring the successful delivery of projects aligned with educational goals, budget, and schedule.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and implement the overall program strategy, goals, and execution plans.
• Establish and maintain program-wide processes, procedures, and standards.
• Set and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure program success.
• Advise senior leadership and stakeholders on program direction, risks, and opportunities.
• Interfaces directly with clients to define program requirements. Prepares scope of work, project delivery resource requirements, recommends delivery and procurement strategy, and risk identification.
• Implement project documentation governance aligned with company and client requirements.
• Ensure project data integrity and documentation is accurate, timely and coordinated.
• Reports status and variances. Creates action plans to meet objectives, budget and schedule.
• Managing the flow of project information between the team and the client, through regular meetings and written communications.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of projects & project management within the context of business results (business case, larger economic implications, business risk, etc.).

Team Management

• Lead and mentor a team of design managers, project managers, and project controls professionals.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture across all teams.
• Provide guidance and professional development opportunities to staff.
• Plans and monitors appropriate staffing levels and utilization of labor, including overtime.
• Prepares and delivers performance appraisal for staff. Mentors and coaches team members to further develop competencies.
• Leads by example and models behaviors that are consistent with the company's values.

Design & Construction Oversight

• Oversee all phases of design and construction, ensuring alignment with educational needs and district standards.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, contractors, and other consultants.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, regulations, and district policies.
• Tracks progress of each project against goals, objectives, approved budgets, approved timelines.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for district leadership.
• Communicate program progress, challenges, and achievements effectively.
• Facilitate public meetings and presentations as needed.

Financial & Risk Management

• Manage program budgets, forecasts, and funding sources.
• Identify and mitigate risks across the program lifecycle.
• Ensure cost-effective delivery and value engineering practices.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 20 years of experience in capital project/program management, with at least 10 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing large-scale higher education capital programs.
• Strong knowledge of design and construction processes, project controls, and educational facility standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.