Program Controls Manager - Western U.S.

About the role

We’re seeking an experienced Program Controls Manager to join our Program Management Teams supporting large, complex airport capital programs in major metropolitan markets on the West Coast. In this role, you’ll be a key member of the leadership team, providing day-to-day leadership, coordination, and execution of all program controls functions across one or more airport programs. Reporting directly to a Program Manager, you will manage a group of program controls professionals and oversee multiple functional areas including cost controls, scheduling, estimating, PMIS, reporting, and document controls.

This is an on-site position based in Los Angeles, CA. Relocation assistance may be offered for the ideal candidate located in Western cities of San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, or Denver, CO.

Responsibilities

• Program Controls Leadership
  • Serve as primary point of contact for the Program Director, Operations leadership, and key stakeholders on all matters related to program controls services.
  • Provide leadership and direction to a multi-disciplinary program controls team supporting multiple projects and contracts.
  • Ensure alignment across teams by coordinating closely with design, construction, finance, and operations to support overall program objectives.
  • Plan and resource controls functions by budgeting and allocating program controls staff, tools, and systems required to support program delivery.
• Cost Control & Forecasting
  • Lead program-wide cost control activities, including budget management, forecasting, and variance analysis.
  • Maintain budget integrity through disciplined scope management, change control, and trend tracking.
  • Support cost estimating efforts across planning, design, and construction phases, including estimate development and reconciliation.
  • Monitor financial performance including commitments, expenditures, cash flow, and cost at completion at both project and program levels.
  • Identify and communicate trends early by proactively flagging potential cost overruns or underruns.
  • Monitor market conditions and escalation indices and support development of escalation assumptions for future work.
• Schedule Management
  • Lead the scheduling team responsible for developing and maintaining an integrated Program Master Schedule using Primavera P6.
  • Ensure schedule alignment between project-level schedules, the overall program schedule, and major milestones.
  • Analyze critical paths and phasing to identify risks, constraints, and potential impacts to airport operations.
  • Support schedule forecasting and scenarios to inform leadership decision-making.
• Change Management, Risk & Integration
  • Lead program-level change management by evaluating scope, cost, and schedule impacts of proposed changes.
  • Support risk management activities including identification, assessment, and coordination of mitigation strategies.
  • Integrate cost, schedule, and risk data to support accurate forecasting and informed decision-making.
• Document Control & Reporting
  • Oversee document management functions for the program.
  • Manage preparation of reports and dashboards including monthly, quarterly, and executive-level program controls deliverables.
  • Present clear and concise updates on cost and schedule performance to senior leadership, governing bodies, and stakeholders.
  • Support governance and coordination forums including operations status reviews and executive meetings.
  • Ensure consistency and transparency across all program controls reporting.
  • Oversee PMIS administration and implementation for the program.
  • Ensure data integrity and audit readiness in compliance with client policies, contractual requirements, and funding obligations.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive experience in program or project controls with increasing responsibility.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience leading program controls for large-scale capital programs valued at $500M or more, preferably in aviation or transportation infrastructure.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, Finance, Business Administration, or an equivalent related field.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly present technical information to senior leadership and public-sector stakeholders.
• Demonstrated people leadership skills managing, mentoring, and developing multi-disciplinary technical teams.
• Advanced knowledge of program controls principles, tools, and applications for large-scale capital programs.
• Aviation or airport program experience supporting terminal, airside, and landside projects.
• On-site position depending on program location during the regular work week (Monday–Friday).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company stock purchase options at a discount.
• Deferred compensation plan or Executive Deferral Plan for eligible employees.
• Unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees.
• Seven paid holidays and caregiver leave.
• Additional rewards for certain roles, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $175,000.00 to $230,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schedule

Hybrid working policy allowing employees to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations. On-site presence required depending on program location during the regular work week (Monday–Friday).