Program Controls Leader

Freese and Nichols, Inc.; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Freese and Nichols, Inc. is seeking a Senior Program Controls Manager in Fort Worth, Texas. The role involves leading the program controls team and overseeing complex programs to ensure successful delivery through effective leadership, collaboration, and technical excellence.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in program controls and a strong track record in delivering results. This position includes responsibilities in strategic oversight, team management, and continuous process improvement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience working in the program controls environment.
• 5+ years of experience leading program controls for a company.
• Proficiency in developing and utilizing dashboards and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead Program Controls staff and oversee program controls for complex programs.
• Promote collaboration across practices to ensure delivery of services.
• Drive process improvements and manage interdependencies across projects.

Skills

Leadership

Program controls expertise

Process improvement

Collaboration

Effective communication

Risk mitigation

Data visualization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in project management, engineering, architecture, business, building construction, or construction management

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

SAP

Job description

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Program Management Leadership to design and implement program controls strategies, strategic initiatives, best practices, and digital solutions that deliver maximum value to internal and external clients.
• Lead and manage Program Controls staff, including recruitment, supervision, assignments, and retention.
• Promote collaboration across practices to ensure consistent execution and delivery of program controls services.
• Oversee program controls for large, highly strategic, and complex programs.
• Provide senior-level direction to ensure program controls activities align with organizational strategy.
• Coordinate multiple projects within a program to ensure integration and alignment with overall objectives.
• Drive process improvements and strengthen collaboration among project teams.
• Identify and manage interdependencies across programs and projects, applying advanced risk mitigation strategies.
• Assist Project Manager in conflict resolution efforts to maintain optimal program performance.
• Support advanced resource planning and allocation to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Introduce innovative approaches that exceed program goals and support broader organizational success.
• Provide expert oversight and guidance to program and project controls teams to ensure effective execution.
• Deliver clear, concise, and actionable communications to program teams, stakeholders, and senior leadership.
• Assist program managers, program teams, stakeholders, and senior leadership in preparing and delivering the program controls message and capabilities to clients.

Knowledge

Provides strategic and visionary leadership for program controls, aligning practices with broader organizational goals. Applies deep expertise to strengthen and advance program controls capabilities. Possesses comprehensive knowledge of program controls principles and significant experience contributing thought leadership and discipline development. Recognized within the industry as a leading authority in program controls, with experience managing major client programs. Considered a subject matter expert and key contributor in the field of program controls. Clearly understands and articulates the distinctions between program controls and project controls functions.

Technical Excellence

Provides strategic oversight of program controls processes, tools, methodologies, and decision-making to ensure successful delivery and organizational alignment. Demonstrates exceptional expertise in establishing and maintaining robust baselines, monitoring performance, and delivering meaningful analysis to support proactive program management and evidence-based decisions. Applies advanced technical proficiency in both project and program controls, demonstrating mastery-level competencies.

Leadership

Cultivates a collaborative, high-performing, and positive team environment. Proven senior leader with a strong record of driving performance and achieving organizational objectives. Contributes to the profession through thought leadership, publications, conference participation, and professional association involvement. Champions best practices, positioning the organization as a leader in program controls. Stays current with emerging trends and industry developments. Demonstrates advanced program management leadership capabilities. Mentors, develops, and evaluates team members at all levels. Actively recruits and supports retention of top talent.

Qualifications (Required)

• Bachelor’s degree in project management, engineering, architecture, business, building construction, construction management, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of experience working and leading in the program controls environment.
• 5+ years of experience leading program controls for a company or a business line within a company.
• Experience developing, maintaining, and utilizing interactive dashboards and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, and similar AI-enabled analytics platforms).
• Demonstrated proficiency in program controls and related interdependencies.
• Willingness to travel frequently as needed to meet project and client requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) or Certified Construction Manager (CCM) or Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Experience developing team and professional growth path (program controls and estimators and schedulers).
• Software experience with Oracle, Power BI, Excel Modeling or Power Query, SAP, Share Point, Projectmates, Procore, other PMIS Databases, Tableau.
• Active participation in professional organizations and continuing education.
• Preference to participation in professional organization leadership roles and history of presenting at regional and national conferences.

Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.