Program Manager (National, Water/Wastewater)

About the Role

CDM Smith is expanding our nationwide program management team and seeking accomplished Senior Program Managers who excel at leading complex programs, aligning diverse stakeholders, and driving successful outcomes. This client-facing role offers the opportunity to guide high-performing teams and deliver exceptional value to clients across a variety of markets and industries.

This position provides leadership and oversight for the successful delivery of complex programs and strategic client initiatives. The Senior Program Manager establishes program direction, aligns multidisciplinary teams, and drives execution to achieve client objectives while balancing scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk considerations. The role serves as the primary point of coordination for program activities, fostering collaboration among project managers, technical leaders, subject matter experts, clients, and external stakeholders.

Through strong leadership, communication, and influence, the Senior Program Manager guides teams toward successful outcomes, resolves complex challenges, facilitates informed decision-making, and promotes accountability across all aspects of program delivery. The role develops and maintains trusted client relationships, provides strategic guidance and program status updates, identifies opportunities to enhance client value, and supports business development efforts including proposals and client pursuits.

The Senior Program Manager also mentors and develops staff, shares industry and organizational best practices, and contributes to the continuous advancement of program management excellence across the organization. Additional responsibilities include participating in Communities of Practice (CoP) activities, engaging in professional associations and societies, attending conferences, contributing to papers, and performing other duties as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and align multidisciplinary teams in a matrix organization through influence, collaboration, and strategic decision-making to achieve program objectives and client expectations.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, facilitate consensus among diverse interests, manage complex program risks and issues, and communicate strategic recommendations to executive and project-level audiences.
• Establish program direction, align teams, and drive execution while balancing scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk considerations.
• Serve as the primary point of coordination for program activities, fostering collaboration among project managers, technical leaders, subject matter experts, clients, and external stakeholders.
• Provide strategic guidance, program status updates, and identify opportunities to enhance client value.
• Support business development efforts, including proposals and client pursuits.
• Mentor and develop staff for future growth within the discipline and firm.
• Participate in Communities of Practice (CoP) activities and professional associations, attend conferences, and contribute to industry papers.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and align multidisciplinary teams in a matrix organization through influence, collaboration, and strategic decision-making.
• Expert ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, facilitate consensus among diverse interests, manage complex program risks and issues, and effectively communicate strategic recommendations to executive and project-level audiences.
• Expert knowledge of corporate governance practices, organization design principles, accounting principles, finance, supply chain management, and organization management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to understand highly complex technical, professional, and business materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required (60% - 90%). The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and project demands.
• An appropriate and valid driver’s license is required.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) certification.

Pay

Pay range: USD $134,264.00 – $248,394.00. This range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. Additional factors such as relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training may influence compensation.

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.