Senior Director of Programs- Design and Construction

Company: JLL
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way . Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. Senior Director of Programs – JLL What this job involves: As Senior Director of Programs at JLL, you will play a pivotal role within our Design and Construction Program Team, directly overseeing and delivering a diverse portfolio of complex, global initiatives for a leading financial services client while leveraging your extensive expertise to implement multi-disciplinary programs spanning across multiple global regions. Your exceptional organizational abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and advanced project management skills will be key drivers of program success and client satisfaction while providing strategic leadership and oversight for all program phases, including strategy development, scope definition, scheduling, design, procurement, execution, and closeout. What your day-to-day will look like: Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all program phases, including strategy development, scope definition, scheduling, design, procurement, execution, and closeout Develop comprehensive business cases, program budgets, and schedules to be included in presentations of funding recommendations for program initiatives individually ranging from $20M to $150M Deliver executive-level dashboards and progress reports to senior leadership, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making Foster alignment and drive successful program execution through collaboration with executives, clients, and cross-functional project teams Serve as a player-coach, mentoring and developing junior Program Managers and Coordinators to build high-performing teams and ensure consistent program delivery Serve as the primary contact throughout the program lifecycle, from strategic planning through construction closeout, ensuring seamless communication and accountability Lead collaboration with key stakeholders to define project objectives, scope, and deliverables, aligning outcomes with client goals and organizational strategy Direct the development of Master Program schedules and oversee project performance, proactively managing milestones and critical path activities to ensure timely delivery Oversee the creation of comprehensive program budgets, leveraging historical benchmarks and market intelligence to establish clear, data-driven budget assumptions Formulate and implement global procurement strategies, sourcing and partnering with consultants and vendors across multiple regions to drive consistency, cost efficiency, and superior service quality Facilitate and lead all critical program meetings and coordination sessions with internal teams, stakeholders, and external partners Required Qualifications: 10–15 years' experience leading real estate strategies, with a focus on Corporate Interior project types Proven track record managing diverse Design and Construction programs individually ranging from $20M to $150M Experience collaborating with global teams and stakeholders across multiple time zones Expertise in RFP management, phased scheduling, and innovative reporting to drive strategic outcomes Strong leadership in mentoring high-performing project teams and delivering complex, large-scale initiatives across the real estate lifecycle Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives in a fast-paced, executive environment Skilled in leading stakeholder groups, building client relationships, and resolving conflicts effectively Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or related field Location: Onsite This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Estimated compensation for this position: 140,000.00 – 200,000.00 USD per year This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations. Location: On-site –Chicago, IL, Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, New York, NY If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table! Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth: JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include: 401(k) plan with matching company contributions Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care Paid parental leave at 100% of salary Paid Time Off and Company Holidays Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing. JLL Privacy Notice Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement . For additional details please see our career site pages for each country. For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here . Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at HRSCLeaves@jll.com . This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL. Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment. Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest. Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate. California Residents only If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device. Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.

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