Senior Program Manager, Operational Excellence

Suffolk Construction; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Suffolk Construction in Boston is seeking a Senior Program Manager for Operational Excellence to lead strategic initiatives from concept to measurable outcomes, partnering across regional teams and functions to deliver value. You will shape roadmaps, manage cross-functional delivery, and drive data-driven decisions through analytics, dashboards, and strong governance.

The role emphasizes stakeholder collaboration, change enablement, and scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, STEM, Construction Management, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in management consulting, strategy execution, program management, or operations improvement.
• Ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy through implementation.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, engaging executive management and field teams.
• Experience with data, analytics, or technology teams on operational enablement.
• Familiarity with program management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet) and dashboarding platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of Suffolk's critical initiatives from concept to defined objectives and metrics.
• Define, scope, and prioritize major strategic programs with roadmaps.
• Lead day-to-day cross-functional program delivery and maintain alignment.
• Partner with Data and IT to ensure analytics inform strategy.
• Drive governance and alignment across regional and executive stakeholders.
• Develop and execute implementation and adoption plans with Change Management.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical thinking

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Operational excellence

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, STEM, Construction Management, or related field

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

Asana

Smartsheet

Dashboarding / reporting platforms

Job description

Overview

Senior Program Manager, Operational Excellence – Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. We provide value across the entire project lifecycle through our core construction management services and complementary business lines in real estate investment, design, self-perform construction, and technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies). By integrating data, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology through our Seamless Platform, we connect design, construction, and operations to deliver smarter, more predictable results.

Suffolk is a national company with operations across multiple markets. We manage some of the most complex and transformative projects in the country, serving clients across healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, aviation, transportation, government, and commercial sectors. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish.

Responsibilities

• Program Development & Problem Framing: Lead the development of Suffolk's critical initiatives and long-term operational solutions from concept to defined objectives, work plans, and success metrics. Clarify problem statements, build hypotheses, structure analytical approaches, and uncover root causes using qualitative and quantitative methods. Identify value-creation opportunities and translate them into clear, actionable programs that improve performance.
• Program Definition, Structuring, & Prioritization: Collaborate with Ops Ex leadership to define, scope, and prioritize major strategic programs. Translate operational challenges into structured roadmaps with measurable, scalable solutions, ensuring alignment across Mission Control, Change Management, and Process Excellence.
• Program Management & Cross-Functional Delivery: Lead day-to-day execution of cross-functional programs, build project plans, manage dependencies, track risks, and enable effective decision-making. Coordinate with Operations Performance Management, Operations Analytics, Construction Technology, and regional leaders to maintain alignment and deliver initiatives on time and to high standards.
• Data-Driven Insights & Operational Analysis: Partner with Data and IT teams to ensure analysis informs strategy. Define key questions, scope analytical work, and guide technical teams. Interpret insights for field operations, refine problem statements, uncover root causes, and identify operational levers that matter most to drive measurable improvements.
• Stakeholder Engagement, Governance, & Alignment: Drive alignment across regional teams, functional leaders, and executive management. Support governance structures with organized cadences and high-quality materials, and serve as a strategic thought partner to shape decisions and operational direction.
• Implementation, Adoption, & Change Enablement: Develop and execute implementation and adoption plans in partnership with Change Management, including communications, enablement, and training. Engage jobsites to validate assumptions, pilot solutions, define success metrics, monitor outcomes, and capture lessons learned to strengthen the Operations Playbook and scale across the enterprise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, STEM, Construction Management, or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in management consulting, strategy execution, program management, or operations improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy through implementation.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills with the ability to drive clarity from ambiguity.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging executive management, operational leaders, and field teams.
• Ability to influence, build relationships, and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Willingness to dive into operational details while maintaining a strategic view.
• Experience working with data, analytics, or technology teams on operational enablement.
• Proficiency with program management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet) and dashboarding/reporting platforms is preferred.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods; speak and listen; and use a keyboard and phone. The role may involve standing, walking, and reaching with arms and hands. Vision requirements include close, distance, and depth perception. The work environment is primarily office-based with occasional job-site exposure.

EEO Statement

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, age, or any other status protected by law. Suffolk will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment and applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms of employment.

Compensation Information

Where required by law, pay ranges can be found in Suffolk's job postings. Base salary for this position is part of Suffolk's total rewards package. Actual salaries may vary based on factors including skill, experience, education, and other qualifications. Suffolk offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of its total rewards strategy and salary ranges are reviewed regularly to reflect market trends.