Project Manager I - Corporate Real Estate - Planning and Development

United Airlines; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

United Airlines is hiring a Project Manager I for Corporate Real Estate - Planning and Development in Chicago. The role focuses on managing facility and infrastructure projects through the EDBA lifecycle, with a portfolio valued at $1-2M across multiple smaller projects.

You will coordinate scope, budgets, and schedules with stakeholders and ensure governance and compliance. The position is hybrid, requiring travel ~10%, with on-site in Chicago about 50% of the time and remote the rest.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience.
• 1-5 years in planning, design, construction.
• Working knowledge of design and construction management process.
• Knowledge of Project Management principles and practices.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification.
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with stakeholders to define scope of projects that balance cost with operational needs.
• Assist in the planning of airport and commercial property facility and infrastructure construction projects.
• Manage the execution of airport and commercial property facility and infrastructure construction projects.
• Develop design and construction project cost estimates to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.
• Responsible for governance of the PMLC (UA and CRE), artifacts, and guidelines.
• Responsible for the utilization of any PMLC process and standards.
• Execute approved projects, manage project risks and develop mitigation plans as needed.
• Assist CRE Leadership in developing project strategy during Envision stage and identify alternatives to achieve objectives.
• Responsible for the use of Project Database, PM Artifacts, workflows, forms, and guidelines by self and team.
• Use CRE Project tools such as SharePoint, Microsoft Project, Oracle and others as defined by need.
• Exhibit and apply Continuous Improvement methodologies leading to innovative facility solutions.
• Provide transparent, accurate, consistent project reporting of portfolio.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

SharePoint

Microsoft Project

Oracle

Job description

Project Manager I - Corporate Real Estate - Planning and Development

Location Chicago, Illinois, United StatesCategory CorporateJob IdWHQ00027015Real EstateJob TypeFull-TimePosted Date 10/26/2026

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

Description

Get your hard hat ready. We’re not just renovating the travel experience – we’re renovating our physical spaces too. And our Corporate Real Estate team is on the front lines of procuring, designing and developing spaces at all our hubs, stations and city locations across the world. From airport affairs and business services to planning and development, this team is responsible for all our leases and major construction and renovation projects, system wide.

Job overview and responsibilities

The Project Manager will manage facility and infrastructure related to construction projects and/or related tasks through the Project Management Lifecycle. The process consists of envision, design, build and activate (EDBA) in accordance with corporate policies and standards, and governing regulations and requirements. Must manage portfolio of projects with a value of $1-2M that consists of individual projects (10+) that are typically less than $500,000. Manages tasks within larger projects and programs under the supervision of a Senior Project Manager or Director.

• Coordinate with stakeholders to define scope of projects that balance cost with operational needs
• Assist in the planning of airport and commercial property facility and infrastructure construction projects
• Manage the execution of airport and commercial property facility and infrastructure construction projects
• Develop design and construction project cost estimates to ensure compliance with all policies, procedures, standards and related corporate and governmental guidelines and metrics
• Responsible for governance of the PMLC (UA and CRE), artifacts, and guidelines
• Responsible for the utilization of any PMLC process and standards
• Execute approved projects, manage project risks and develop mitigation plans as needed
• Assists CRE Leadership in the development of project strategy and approach during the Envision stage and identify multiple alternatives to achieve Project Objectives
• Responsible for the use of Project Database, PM Artifacts, workflows, forms, Project Management Guidelines etc. by self (and team)
• Utilize project management principles to define, track and communicate project scope, schedule and budget
• Accountable for the compliance of budget, schedule and scope metrics of the projects
• Responsible for the use of Project Database, PM Artifacts, workflows, forms, Project Management Guidelines etc. by self (and team)
• Use CRE Project tools such as SharePoint, Microsoft Project, Oracle and others as defined by need
• Exhibit and influences Continuous Improvement methodologies that lead to innovative operational facility solutions
• Responsible and accountable for transparent, accurate, consistent project reporting (weekly, monthly and quarterly) of portfolio of projects

Ability and willingness to travel approximately 10% of the time.

This position is a hybrid role including working approximately 50% of the time onsite at our Chicago office location and remotely.

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree required
• At least 2 years of relevant experience
• 1-5 years in planning, design, construction
• Working knowledge of design and construction management process and vernacular
• Knowledge of Project Management principles and practices
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

• Walking extended distances across terminals and operational areas
• Standing for prolonged periods during site visits and meetings
• Climbing stairs and using escalators/elevators to access different airport levels
• Working in varying environmental conditions (temperature-controlled terminals and outdoor areas)

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

Demonstrates an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and effectively leverages them to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem solving. Applies critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies for responsible AI use, data privacy and security.

• Master's degree
• Business, Engineering, Planning Design, Construction Management or MBA
• PMP, LEED, Black Belt, PE, RA, CM
• 2-5 years planning, design (engineering or architectural) or construction
• 2-5 years working within an aviation operational environment
• Experience managing projects of various complexity
• Solid knowledge of design and construction management process and vernacular
• Understanding of best practices of Project Management
• Experience managing projects of various complexity

The base pay range for this role is $81,795.00 to $106,602.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.