CRE&FM Program Manager

Job Description

Zurich is seeking an experience Program Manager, this role reports to the Head of CRE Projects and serves as an extension of the Head of CRE Projects managing company’s workplace and office interiors program, with primary responsibility for overseeing and managing the outsourced project management service provider (PMSP). This role ensures that the provider delivers consistent, high-quality project execution across the company’s office portfolio, meeting corporate standards for design, budget, schedule, and employee experience. Will consider candidates remote within the U.

S. , prefer the role to be hybrid with candidates having a presence in the Schaumburg Headquarters or the Chicago office, with travel up to 20%. The Program Manager acts as the corporate owner’s representative, bridging business strategy with outsourced project delivery, while partnering with internal workstreams, and functional stakeholders to create effective, sustainable, and engaging workplace environments. The primary role is to ensure all deliverables are achieved on time to support the transaction group’s activity, budgets can be developed externally with oversight of the PM service provider or internally by the Program Manager.

Core Background Preferences: Work history should include positions with a contractor or developer; additional experience within a corporate real estate (CRE) group or service provider is strongly preferred. Ideal candidate will demonstrate a progressive career path beginning in contractor/developer roles, advancing into corporate real estate workplace delivery.

Strong experience with the full spectrum of CRE budgeting, including all workstreams required for successful workplace delivery. Proficiency in developing end-to-end budgets for corporate office workspace, covering all categories such as:MSA service providers (e. g.

, architects, MEP engineers)Project Management service providerMiscellaneous consultantsGeneral contractorsSecurity vendorsFurniture vendorsInternal IT and AV groups for budgeting supportDemonstrated knowledge of regional cost contributors and the ability to make appropriate budget adjustments based on market conditions. Effective ability to manage architectural design spend, providing cost-reduction solutions to ensure fiscal discipline. Progressive experience in managing architectural design aspects of corporate workplace projects with a strong focus on cost control.

Experience collaborating with internal change management and business transformation teams to align workplace delivery with broader organizational initiatives. Key Responsibilities: Program & Governance Leadership:Provide corporate-level governance and oversight of the outsourced project management service provider (PMSP).

Define, implement, and enforce program / design standards, processes, and reporting requirements for all office interiors projects. Monitor provider performance against contractual obligations, KPIs, and SLAs. Vendor Management & Accountability:Serve as the primary point of contact for the outsourced provider at the program level.

Hold the provider accountable for cost, schedule, risk management, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction across all projects. Participate in regular performance reviews, escalate issues as necessary, and drive continuous improvement initiatives with MSA providers. Partner with Procurement on vendor contracts, work orders, and renewals.

Financial & Risk Management:Manage the overall program budget and financial reporting, consolidating project-level data from the outsourced provider. Evaluate and recommend approval of budgets, and change orders submitted by the provider. Proactively identify portfolio-level risks and ensure mitigation plans are implemented by the PMSP.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:Represent the workplace program to workplace delivery partners, providing executive level summaries, financial summaries, and progress reports. Ensure the provider delivers effective communication and assist internal change management group with deliverables to support their activity with business units. Partner with Facilities, IT and Audio Visual, to align workplace projects with enterprise goals and employee needs.

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