Director, Program Management

Cushman & Wakefield; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 204,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a Director of Program Management to lead a global portfolio of capital projects, combining construction leadership with strategic program governance and technology-driven delivery.

You will drive CAPEX budgeting, portfolio dashboards, and cross-functional alignment with executive stakeholders, while mentoring PMs and ensuring compliance and data integrity across systems.

Qualifications

• 7+ years leading capital projects or major construction programs.
• 2+ years of team leadership experience.
• Experience with tenant improvements, corporate real estate, owner representation, or general contracting.
• Strong proficiency with Excel/PowerPoint and project controls.

Responsibilities

• Drive portfolio-wide capital planning, budgeting, and governance for a global construction program.
• Lead the adoption of project management platforms and digital transformation initiatives.
• Develop global reporting structures, dashboards, and KPI standards for multiple providers.
• Mentor and manage Program Managers and support staff across regions.
• Ensure compliance, data integrity, and standardized project controls across the portfolio.

Skills

Strategic program management

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field

Tools

Smartsheet

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Procore

ServiceNow

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Title Director, Program Management

Job Description Summary

Lead the Future of Construction, Technology, and Portfolio Delivery

Are you a construction and project delivery leader who thrives at the intersection of capital projects, technology, process innovation, and client strategy? Do you enjoy building scalable programs, implementing new technologies, and driving meaningful change across complex project portfolios? We are seeking a Director, Program Management to lead a global portfolio of capital projects while shaping the future of how construction programs are managed, tracked, and delivered. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned construction professional with experience in tenant improvements, corporate real estate, design management, owner's representation, or general contracting who is passionate about leveraging technology to improve project outcomes. In this role, you will combine the hands-on expertise of a construction project leader with the strategic mindset of a program executive. You will oversee portfolio-level planning, capital budgeting, project governance, technology integrations, reporting, and process optimization while partnering with executive stakeholders around the globe. If you're energized by solving complex challenges, implementing innovative solutions, and influencing how large-scale construction programs operate, we'd like to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Drive Strategic Capital Program Delivery

  Lead portfolio-wide capital planning, forecasting, and budget management for a global construction program.

  Develop and maintain portfolio-level CAPEX budgets, schedules, risk registers, and performance metrics.

  Partner with clients and stakeholders to align project delivery strategies with business objectives.

  Oversee project reporting, executive dashboards, and portfolio health metrics to support data-driven decision making.

• Transform Construction Through Technology

  Lead the implementation and adoption of industry-leading project management and reporting platforms.

  Serve as a champion for digital transformation initiatives, integrating technology with project delivery processes.

  Drive improvements in construction reporting, budgeting, scheduling, and portfolio analytics through automation and system enhancements.

  Leverage platforms such as Autodesk, Smartsheet, ServiceNow, and other construction technology tools to create scalable solutions.

  Identify process gaps and implement best-in-class workflows that improve visibility, efficiency, and project predictability.

• Influence Client Strategy and Program Governance

  Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing recommendations on portfolio governance, reporting standards, and construction best practices.

  Develop consistent global reporting structures, dashboard frameworks, and KPI standards across multiple service providers.

  Present program updates, strategic recommendations, and performance insights to executive-level stakeholders.

  Support business development efforts, including client presentations, pursuits, and solution development.

• Lead High-Performing Teams

  Manage and mentor a team of Program Managers, Project Managers, Coordinators, and support staff.

  Provide strategic leadership across regional and global construction teams.

  Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

  Support talent development, succession planning, and team growth initiatives.

  Provide indirect oversight and governance of local market project and construction managers globally.

• Ensure Operational Excellence

  Oversee consultant and contractor procurement, contracting, and performance management.

  Ensure program compliance with contractual obligations, company standards, and regulatory requirements.

  Maintain data integrity across all project systems and reporting platforms.

  Standardize project controls, reporting methodologies, and operating procedures across the portfolio.

What Makes You Successful

You are a builder, problem-solver, and innovator who understands both the realities of project delivery and the opportunities created by technology. You bring: Strong executive presence and the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels. A passion for leveraging technology to improve construction outcomes. Experience leading complex capital programs, tenant improvement portfolios, workplace projects, or large-scale construction initiatives. Exceptional communication, leadership, and client relationship skills. The ability to connect people, processes, and technology into scalable, repeatable solutions. A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on operational excellence and measurable results.

Preferred Background

We welcome candidates from: Tenant Improvement Construction Management General Contracting Owner's Representative / Project Management Firms Corporate Real Estate Project Management Design Management Architecture and Engineering Consulting Workplace and Occupier Services Capital Program Management Construction Technology and Digital Delivery Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field required.

Experience 7+ years leading capital projects, construction programs, or portfolio delivery initiatives.

Experience managing complex construction budgets, schedules, and stakeholder groups.

2+ years of team leadership experience, including hiring, coaching, mentoring, and performance management.

Experience working in fast-paced client environments with multiple concurrent projects.

Technical Skills Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Strong experience with project management and reporting platforms such as Smartsheet, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Procore, ServiceNow, or similar systems.

Experience with technology implementation, workflow design, systems integration, or digital transformation initiatives is highly desirable.

Strong understanding of construction reporting, project controls, budgeting, scheduling, and portfolio analytics.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of global capital project delivery by combining construction expertise, technology innovation, and strategic leadership. You'll work alongside executive stakeholders, influence program strategy, implement next-generation project technologies, and lead high-impact initiatives that transform how construction projects are delivered around the world. If you're ready to move beyond managing projects and start transforming programs, processes, and technology at scale, this is the opportunity for you.

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements. The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications. The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role. The compensation for the position is: $ 204,000.00 - $240,000.00

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us. INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”

About Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a global leader in real estate services, leveraging our specialized expertise to deliver innovative solutions and exceptional value to owners and occupiers. With 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices across 60 countries, we are one of the largest firms in the industry, with more than 100 years of history. In 2023, we generated $9.5 billion in revenue from our core services. To learn more, visit www.careers.cushmanwakefield.com.