Senior Program Manager

GFT is seeking a Senior Program Manager to join our Power Delivery Practice in Ohio!

At GFT, we believe in a symbiotic work environment - you will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with a talented team of architects and engineers with the aim of realizing a better integrated design.

What you’ll be challenged to do

In this role, you will need to be a motivated leader with a positive attitude to serve a major utility client, lead diverse design teams, and drive quality production and prompt project delivery.

At a high level, this role will require someone with a track record of effective leadership and exceptional communication skills, capable of mentoring project teams, fostering collaboration with an inclusive approach to leadership.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

Program Growth & Business Development

• Identify and pursue new client opportunities within the program.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with utility executives, program directors, and key stakeholders.
• Develop proposals, statements of qualifications, and RFP responses to expand consulting engagements.
• Track industry trends, regulatory changes, and funding opportunities to anticipate client needs.
• Create strategic plans for program expansion (new service lines, geographies, or technologies).
• Represent the firm at conferences, trade associations, and industry events.

Program Management & Delivery

• Oversee execution of active projects and ensure deliverables meet client expectations.
• Develop program budgets, forecasts, and resource plans to ensure profitability.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as backlog growth, utilization rates, and client satisfaction.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver projects.
• Implement program controls, reporting systems, and governance structures.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as primary point of contact for client, resolving issues and ensuring alignment.
• Facilitate workshops, stakeholder meetings, and strategic planning sessions with clients.
• Deliver executive-level presentations and program status updates.
• Provide thought leadership on client challenges.

Team Leadership & Development

• Mentor and develop staff within the program team to support growth objectives.
• Recruit and onboard new talent to expand program capabilities.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
• Align team skills and resources with anticipated client needs.

Financial & Strategic Oversight

• Manage P&L for the program, ensuring revenue targets and margin goals are met.
• Forecast pipeline growth and develop investment strategies for long-term expansion.
• Create annual program growth plans and regularly report progress to leadership.

What you will bring to our firm

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related discipline is preferred
• 18 plus years' experience conceptualizing and delivering projects
• Familiarity with program project types and requirements
• Familiarity with software such as BlueBeam Revu, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office
• Talented communicator, both verbal and written
• Able to work collaboratively with staff and clients on multiple projects
• Advance level knowledge of industry standards and codes
• Organized individual with a positive team building spirit with a collaborative one team attitude.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $145,000- $205,000 (USD). Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Akron, OH

Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status: Full-Time

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles- Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco- Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California-Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.