Global Program Lead

About the Role

Kimley-Horn is seeking a Global Program Lead to join our Cary, North Carolina office. This is not a remote position. The role involves managing the international program, coordinating scope, schedule, owners, status, and execution across key workstreams, and leading country-entry research, business partnership support, and external advisor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Manage the international program, including scope, schedule, owners, and status across all workstreams; escalate and resolve blockers.
• Conduct initial country research and feasibility assessments; recommend whether to enter or defer a market opportunity.
• Develop financial models, business cases, cost estimates, risk assessments, and decision materials to help leaders evaluate expansion opportunities and alternatives.
• Consolidate outside firms, negotiate scope and fees, and manage performance against agreed service levels.
• Prepare presentations covering current status, recommendations, and implementation plans.
• Partner with internal teams (Finance, Benefits, Payroll, Tax, Legal, HR, Technology, Real Estate, Security, Marketing) and leadership to design practical country-entry approaches.
• Develop global responsibility matrices, policies, controls, governance, reporting, and documentation for new international operations.
• Identify lessons learned and recommend improvements to due diligence, planning, implementation, and post-launch support processes.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience leading concurrent, cross-functional projects from initiation through completion.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Previous experience working on international projects for a professional services company.
• Demonstrated experience building RACI matrices across cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated experience conducting research and feasibility assessments.
• Strong documentation, organization, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and credibly with executive stakeholders.
• Advanced ability to interpret complex information, develop recommendations, and manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or MS.
• PMP certification.
• Previous experience scoping advisor engagements, negotiating fees, and managing external advisor performance.

Why Kimley-Horn?

At Kimley-Horn, we prioritize people, clients, and employees. Our culture and approach to business are built on creating an environment for everyone to flourish. We take pride in our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values, which have led to our placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!

Benefits

• Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k) and performance-based bonuses.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.