Program Manager of People

Job Summary

The Program Manager of People (PgM-People) is responsible for the utilization, readiness, development, and retention of the Field Services workforce. This role leads a team of Commissioning Resource Managers (CRMs), owns the supply-side workforce capacity signal that informs program resourcing decisions, and ensures the staffing pool remains capable, engaged, and productively deployed across all active programs.

Essential Functions

• Utilization Monitoring & Supply-Side Forecasting (30%)

• Own the workforce supply signal across all pertinent programs: current headcount by role and level, capacity by availability window, and known constraints including PTO, home weeks, and new hire ramp timelines.
• Consolidate CRM utilization reports into a program-level workforce summary for the AD, including actual versus target utilization, four-week forecast, and underutilized staff with corrective action plans.
• Ensure available employee hours are communicated to PgM-Projects at least two weeks in advance to support demand-side labor planning.
• Coordinate monthly with PgM-Projects to compare supply signal against project demand signal; present combined analysis to the AD to support hiring, reallocation, or business development decisions.
• Escalate workforce capacity risks to the AD when gaps cannot be resolved at the PgM level.

• CRM Leadership & Operating Standards (30%)

• Directly manage, mentor, and develop a team of Commissioning Resource Managers; ensure CRMs operate proactively as workforce managers rather than reactively as administrative coordinators.
• Conduct weekly check-ins with each CRM to review utilization status, coverage gaps, PTO conflicts, home-week coordination, new hire progress, and escalated employee issues.
• Hold CRMs accountable to consistent operating standards, including structured employee 1:1s at required cadence, active development plans, and timely reporting.
• Maintain CRM load discipline and recommend structural changes to CRM assignments as the workforce scales.

• Workforce Health & Retention (20%)

• Monitor engagement, burnout risk, travel fatigue, and retention signals across the staffing pool through CRM reporting and direct field observation.
• Intervene directly when CRM-level actions are insufficient to resolve personnel issues; prevent people issues from becoming delivery disruptions.
• Conduct regular site visits to assess team morale, cultural health, and workforce conditions firsthand.
• Maintain awareness of individual employee situations that represent retention risk and develop proactive action plans in coordination with CRMs.

• Talent Development & Promotion Governance (15%)

• Ensure consistent development planning and active training compliance across all employees in the staffing pool, in coordination with CRMs and PgM-Technical.
• Lead structured promotion readiness calibration across programs; validate CRM recommendations using multi-source input from PMs, Technical Leads, and field observation.
• Maintain consistent application of leveling standards across all programs; prevent title inflation and ensure advancement decisions reflect genuine capability progression.
• Identify employees approaching promotion readiness and initiate calibration discussions well in advance of review cycles.

• Cross-Functional Coordination (5%)

• Partner with PgM-Projects to align on staffing effectiveness, PM performance input, and resource constraints affecting project delivery.
• Partner with PgM-Technical to align training priorities, communicate capability gaps affecting staffing readiness, and ensure development plans reflect technical requirements.
• Coordinate with the AD and recruiting team on open requisitions, hiring timelines, and onboarding readiness for incoming staff.

Position Requirements

• Knowledge of workforce utilization metrics, capacity forecasting, and staffing coordination.

• Ability to effectively coach, provide feedback, and have difficult-conversation capability.

• Skilled in high emotional intelligence and strong organizational awareness.

• Ability to operate effectively in a high growth, distributed, remote environment.

• Ability to leverage AI-enabled and digital tools to improve workforce visibility and reporting.

• Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and controls system principles.

• Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), along with exceptional organizational skills for file management.

• Skilled in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.

• Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, optimize operational processes, and contribute to company-wide innovation.

• Ability to work successfully in a remote environment through effective communication and organizational skills, self-motivation, proactiveness and resourcefulness in a distraction free workspace.

• Ability to follow company and site safety requirements.

• Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports and correspondence.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form (technical and non-technical information).

• Ability to communicate effectively directly with clients and serve as primary point of client contact.

• Ability to work successfully as a member of a team and independently with moderate supervision.

• Ability to work under pressure and meet close deadlines.

• Ability to effectively plan and delegate the work of others.

• Ability to achieve certification for NFPA70E and / or OSHA training as / if required.

• Organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Benefits

• Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)

• Flex spending accounts (FSA)

• Dental and vision plans

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26

• 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option

• PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year

• Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents

• Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage

• Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance

• Paid parental leave after one year of employment