Senior Program Manager - Water Business Line

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Senior Program Manager for the Water Business Line in the New England region. You will lead a multi-year, multi-project CIP exceeding $2 billion, establish and guide a PMO, and provide executive-level leadership across schedule, cost, risk, quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

You will oversee the full program lifecycle—from planning through design, procurement, construction, and handover—covering treatment facilities, conveyance systems, reservoirs, and digital/asset

Qualifications

• BA/BS in Engineering, Construction Management or related field; 10+ years of related experience or equivalent.
• 4+ years of leadership experience.
• Experience managing large-scale infrastructure programs with oversight of scope, budget, and schedule.
• Strong communication, leadership, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in a digital, paperless project environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and build a high-performing PMO with governance, controls, reporting, and metrics for a multi-billion-dollar CIP.
• Oversee program controls including cost, schedule, risk, change management, and document control with accurate forecasting.
• Advise clients on delivery models (DBB, CMAR, DB, Progressive DB) and lead procurement strategy and execution.
• Ensure regulatory compliance (EPA, state agencies), permitting, and consent decree obligations.
• Integrate resilience, sustainability, equity, and lifecycle asset strategies into program decisions.
• Manage design management, value engineering, constructability reviews, commissioning, and turnover.
• Identify and mitigate risks across the program lifecycle.
• Develop diverse teams; manage subconsultants and contractors; foster safety and quality culture.
• Create executive dashboards and reporting frameworks for transparency and issue escalation.
• Maintain strong client relationships with utilities, agencies, community leaders, and partners.
• Identify and adopt digital tools and technologies to enhance delivery and outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Program management

Problem-solving

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

BA/BS in Engineering/Construction Management

10+ years experience

Tools

Primavera P6

Power BI

Job description

Senior Program Manager - Water Business Line

• Full-time
• State/Province: Massachusetts
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc
• Business Line: Water
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Primary Location: US - Boston, MA - One Federal St
• Compensation: USD 180,000 - USD 250,000 - yearly

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the water industry? AECOM’s Water Business Line is on the lookout for adynamic and accomplished strategic leaderwith bold ideas to join our leadership team in one of our New England offices! This is an exciting opportunity to shape meaningful water accounts and drive our regional growth in thedrinking water, wastewater, conveyance, and water resources markets.

As a Senior Program Manager, you will play a pivotal role in managing amulti-year, multi-project capital improvement program (CIP)exceeding$2 billionfor a municipal or regional water/wastewater utility. You will establish and lead aProgram Management Office (PMO), providing executive-level stakeholder leadership and driving delivery outcomes across key areas such as schedule, cost, risk, quality, safety, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.

You will oversee the full program lifecycle—from planning through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational handover—across complex infrastructure portfolios including treatment facilities, conveyance systems, reservoirs, CSO programs, resilience initiatives, and digital/asset systems.

This position offers a unique chance to work within an established and successful group that boasts a diverse range of technical proficiencies and abundant career development opportunities. You’ll be client-facing, managing meaningful accounts that will contribute to our ambitious growth plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and Inspire – Build and lead a high-performing PMO with best-in-class governance, controls, reporting, and performance metrics for a multi-billion-dollar CIP.
• Drive Program Excellence – Implement and oversee program controls including cost, schedule, risk, change management, and document control, ensuring accurate forecasting and accountability.
• Strategic Advisor – Guide clients on delivery models (DBB, CMAR, DB, Progressive DB) and lead procurement strategy and execution.
• Compliance & Stewardship – Oversee regulatory compliance (EPA, state agencies), permitting, and consent decree/enforcement obligations.
• Shape Sustainable Outcomes – Integrate resilience, sustainability, equity, and lifecycle asset strategies into program decisions and prioritization.
• Deliver End-to-End Programs – Lead design management, value engineering, constructability reviews, commissioning, and operational turnover.
• Proactively Manage Risk – Drive risk identification, analysis, mitigation planning, and governance across the program lifecycle.
• Build High-Performing Teams – Attract, mentor, and develop diverse talent; manage subconsultants and contractors; foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Communicate with Impact – Establish executive dashboards and reporting frameworks; ensure transparency and effective issue escalation.
• Strengthen Client Relationships – Serve as a trusted advisor to stakeholders including utilities, agencies, community leaders, and partners.
• Innovate for Performance – Identify and implement digital tools and new technologies to enhance program delivery and outcomes.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• BA/BS in Engineering, Construction Managementor related field + 10years of related experienceor demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
• 4+ years of experience in leadership roles.
• Proven experience managing large-scale infrastructure programs, including scope, budget, and schedule oversight
• Strong communication, leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in a digital, paperless project environment
• Due to the nature of work, U.S. Citizenship is required.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degreein Engineering, Construction Management or related field
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in New England states or ability to obtain within 4 months
• Demonstrated success leading complex water/wastewater capital programs
• Experience with program controls and digital platforms (e.g., Primavera P6, Power BI, cost/risk systems)
• Passion for innovation, sustainability, and advancing resilient infrastructure solutions

• Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position.
• Relocation is not available for this position.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.