Senior Program Manager – Global Program Management Organization (Water, Aviation & Port/Maritime)

Senior Program Manager – Global Program Management Organization (Water, Aviation & Port/Maritime)Company Description

Burns & McDonnell is a 100% employee-owned firm where engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists, and scientists collaborate to plan, design, and build complex projects. Since 1898, our mission has been to make our clients successful by solving complex challenges and delivering innovative, high-quality solutions.

Recognized for safety performance among the top AEC firms in the industry, Burns & McDonnell fosters an ownership culture where every employee is invested in delivering exceptional client service while making a meaningful impact in the communities where we live and work. Through volunteerism, STEM outreach, mentorship, and community engagement, our employee-owners are committed to improving the world around them.

Senior Program ManagerRole Description

Our Global Program Management Organization (GPMO) is seeking experienced Senior Program Managers to lead the successful delivery of large, complex infrastructure and capital improvement programs across the Water, Aviation, and Port/Maritime markets. This full-time leadership position may be based in multiple locations depending on program needs and may require temporary or permanent relocation to project sites.

The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to public and private sector clients while leading multidisciplinary teams responsible for delivering some of the nation's most critical infrastructure programs. This role is ideal for professionals with extensive experience managing major capital programs within one or more of the following markets:

• Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
• Aviation and Airport Development
• Ports, Maritime, and Marine Infrastructure

As the Senior Program Manager, you will provide strategic leadership from program initiation through closeout, overseeing governance, planning, execution, risk management, financial performance, stakeholder engagement, and program controls. You will lead diverse project teams while developing scalable processes, implementing best practices, and driving successful outcomes for both clients and Burns & McDonnell.

This role requires a collaborative leader who thrives in a dynamic environment, builds lasting client relationships, mentors future leaders, and contributes to the continued growth of Burns & McDonnell's Program Management practice.

What You Will Do

• Lead the development and execution of strategic program initiatives that achieve client goals and organizational objectives.
• Direct and coordinate multidisciplinary teams responsible for planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and program delivery.
• Serve as the primary client executive, building trusted relationships with senior client leadership, contractors, regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and executive leadership.
• Manage large, complex infrastructure programs from inception through final closeout, including scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, procurement, and resource management.
• Develop and implement program governance, delivery strategies, execution plans, policies, procedures, and performance metrics.
• Drive implementation of program controls, systems integration, data management, analytics, dashboards, and reporting tools to support strategic decision-making.
• Monitor program financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, expenditures, revenue projections, and profitability.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks while proactively resolving issues affecting scope, schedule, cost, quality, or safety.
• Lead contract administration, consultant management, procurement coordination, and compliance with applicable contractual, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure adherence to Burns & McDonnell quality management processes and QA/QC standards.
• Champion a culture of safety by enforcing company and project-specific safety policies and promoting continuous improvement.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing project and program management professionals.
• Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching, and foster professional development within the organization.
• Support business development efforts, proposal development, client pursuits, and cross-selling opportunities across Burns & McDonnell's engineering and construction services.
• Present program performance, financial updates, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and client stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned while maintaining compliance with company policies and standards.

Preferred Industry Experience

Qualified candidates should possess significant experience delivering major capital improvement programs in one or more of the following markets:

Water

• Water and wastewater treatment facilities
• Water reuse and reclamation
• PFAS and emerging contaminant treatment
• Pump stations and conveyance systems
• Water transmission and distribution pipelines
• Stormwater infrastructure
• Municipal utility capital improvement programs

Aviation

• Airport terminals
• Airfield development
• Runways and taxiways
• Landside infrastructure
• Utility relocation
• Airport expansion and modernization programs
• FAA-funded capital improvement programs

Port/Maritime

• Marine terminals
• Cargo and container facilities
• Port expansion
• Intermodal infrastructure
• Waterfront improvements
• Marine structures
• Navigation and harbor improvements
• Maritime industrial facilities

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Business, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in engineering, construction, consulting, or program management.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex infrastructure programs with total program values exceeding $250 million preferred.
• Extensive experience managing multidisciplinary teams across planning, design, permitting, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Strong knowledge of project delivery methodologies including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, CMAR, EPC, Progressive Design-Build, or Public-Private Partnership (P3) delivery.
• Experience with project controls including budgeting, forecasting, cost management, scheduling, earned value, reporting, and financial performance.
• Demonstrated expertise in program governance, risk management, contract administration, change management, stakeholder engagement, and executive reporting.
• Experience implementing data management, reporting platforms, program controls systems, and business intelligence tools.
• Strong understanding of permitting, environmental compliance, right-of-way/real estate acquisition, utility coordination, and regulatory requirements associated with large infrastructure programs.
• Proven success developing long-term client relationships and supporting business development, proposal development, and contract negotiations.
• Exceptional leadership, collaboration, facilitation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively influence executive stakeholders, lead multidisciplinary teams, and mentor project managers.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project or equivalent scheduling and program management software.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PE, CCM, PgMP, or other applicable credentials are preferred.
• Experience working with public-sector owners, municipalities, transportation agencies, utility providers, airport authorities, port authorities, or federal agencies is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel extensively and relocate temporarily or permanently based on program requirements.

Why Burns & McDonnell

At Burns & McDonnell, you'll join an employee-owned organization where you can lead nationally significant infrastructure programs while helping shape the future of our Program Management practice.

You'll collaborate with industry-leading professionals, work on some of the largest and most complex capital programs in North America, and have opportunities for leadership growth, client engagement, and career advancement within one of the nation's premier engineering, construction, and program management firms.