Program Manager - Horizontal Infrastructure

GFT is seeking an experienced Program Manager to join our Construction Services practice in New York to support a major multi-billion-dollar infrastructure program serving the region.

This position will serve as the Project Manager for the program, providing operational leadership within a complex multi-firm delivery environment that includes owner agencies, engineering consultants, and major construction contractors. Working in close partnership with the Vice President / Program Manager, this role operates at the center of program coordination and helps guide the operational direction of the program’s delivery organization. The Program Manager will align teams responsible for coordinating construction and design oversight, safety management, program controls, engineering support, and project management functions while maintaining collaboration across participating organizations.

At GFT, we’re not just engineering the future; we’re meticulously building it. Our comprehensive suite of program management services reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence, safety, innovation, and sustainability, and are the cornerstone of our commitment to transforming communities and enhancing lives. We oversee every phase to help ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and to the highest safety and quality standards.

The program is transitioning into a sustained construction and delivery phase and is expected to continue for multiple years. The role requires a leader capable of navigating a complex stakeholder environment, resolving issues across organizations, and maintaining alignment among teams responsible for program delivery. This position represents a firm leadership role within the Construction Services practice, initially focused on this program while contributing to future infrastructure initiatives, strategic pursuits, and industry engagement.

What you’ll be challenged to do

As Program Manager, you will serve as the operational leader of the program delivery organization, ensuring teams across multiple firms remain aligned and focused on delivering results. The role requires a leader who can actively drive program performance while maintaining strong relationships with client leadership, consultants, and contractors responsible for delivering the work.

You will guide coordination among multidisciplinary teams, help shape program decisions with executive stakeholders, and maintain delivery momentum across participating organizations. Success in this role requires a leader who combines strategic awareness with a hands-on approach to program operations, ensuring issues are addressed quickly and program priorities remain focused on delivery outcomes.

In this capacity, you will be responsible for:

• Provide operational leadership across a large multidisciplinary program delivery organization overseeing construction oversight, safety management, program controls, engineering support, and project management activities

• Guide collaboration among participating firms and maintain alignment across teams responsible for program delivery

• Partner with executive leadership from owner agencies, engineering consultants, and construction contractors to facilitate coordination and resolve complex issues

• Monitor program progress, identify emerging risks and coordination challenges, and guide teams toward solutions that sustain delivery momentum

• Mentor multidisciplinary staff, support leadership development of emerging talent, and foster a collaborative culture centered on accountability and performance

• Contribute to the growth of the Construction Services practice through strategic pursuits, proposal development for major infrastructure opportunities, industry engagement, client interactions, and serving as a public ambassador within the infrastructure community

What you will bring to our firm

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field
• 15+ years of experience delivering complex infrastructure programs or projects
• Demonstrated experience directly managing multidisciplinary professional staff in an organizational environment
• Experience operating within large multi-firm infrastructure or transportation programs
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to drive program delivery while mentoring and developing teams

What we prefer you bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related engineering discipline
• Professional Engineering (PE) License or master’s degree in engineering
• Experience in leading roles on major infrastructure programs ($500M+ scale)
• Career experience within contractor or design-build organizations
• Experience working within alternative delivery programs
• DBIA certification
• Direct railroad or rail-adjacent infrastructure experience beneficial
•  

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $210,000 - $260,000 per year. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, including access to training programs and support for participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives. GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ 

GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law. 

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property of GFT.

Location: New York, NYWorking Hours: Construction hoursEmployment Status: Full-time

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