Program Manager, Operational Excellence

Overview

As Program Manager, Operational Excellence, you will be a key leader driving Suffolk’s most important operational initiatives. You’ll blend strategic problem-solving, structured program delivery, and hands-on field engagement to identify opportunities, design solutions, and lead cross-functional implementation that strengthens operational performance across the company.

The role requires a proactive and highly organized program manager who can bring structure to complex work, build trusted relationships, and drive follow-through across teams without relying on formal authority. The Program Manager will work closely with regional and project leadership and Ops Ex capabilities Operations Analytics, Mission Control, Change Management, and Construction Technology to ensure solutions are practical, scalable, and grounded in how work is performed in the field.

This is an opportunity to develop broad enterprise and field exposure while taking meaningful ownership of high-impact operational initiatives. The Program Manager will contribute analytical thinking and sound judgment, independently lead assigned programs and workstreams, and partner with the leadership on portfolio-level decisions, executive governance, and the most complex cross-enterprise issues.

The Program Manager is required to be on-site in our vibrant Boston office five days a week, where they can take advantage of free parking, an on-site gym, a cafeteria, and other perks that contribute to a welcoming culture and distinctive workplace environment!

Responsibilities

1. Program and Workstream Management

Manage assigned Operational Excellence programs and major workstreams from planning through implementation. Develop and maintain program charters, schedules, milestones, deliverables, roles, and success measures. Translate direction from program and business leaders into clear actions, coordinate contributors, and keep work moving toward agreed outcomes.

2. Planning, Governance, and Delivery Discipline

Establish and maintain the day-to-day management routines that support effective delivery, including workplans, status reporting, decision and action logs, risk and issue tracking, dependency management, and meeting cadences. Prepare clear governance materials, surface emerging concerns early, and follow through with owners to ensure commitments and decisions are carried into execution.

3. Operational Analysis and Solution Development

Partner with operational leaders, Operational Excellence, project teams, and subject-matter experts to document current-state practices, clarify pain points, and identify root causes. Support the development and evaluation of future-state processes, standards, tools, and capabilities. Organize qualitative and quantitative inputs, test assumptions, and help convert findings into practical recommendations and implementation requirements.

4. Stakeholder Coordination and Communication

Build productive relationships with regional, functional, and project stakeholders. Plan and facilitate working sessions, document decisions, and communicate program status, risks, and next steps in a concise and audience-appropriate manner. Help resolve routine misalignment and escalate material tradeoffs or decisions with clear context and recommended paths forward.

5. Field Engagement, Pilots, and Implementation

Engage directly with jobsites and regional teams to understand operational realities and incorporate frontline feedback. Coordinate pilots and implementation activities, including readiness assessments, schedules, stakeholder communications, training logistics, feedback collection, and issue resolution. Partner with Change Management and business owners to make new ways of working clear, practical, and sustainable.

6. Measurement, Reporting, and Benefits Tracking

Support the definition of baselines, key performance indicators, adoption measures, and target outcomes. Partner with Operations Analytics, Data, and IT teams to gather and validate information, maintain dashboards and reporting, and identify performance trends. Track results after implementation and coordinate follow-up actions when adoption or outcomes are below target.

7. Program Standards and Continuous Improvement

Apply consistent Ops Ex program-management practices and contribute to the ongoing improvement of templates, tools, and playbooks. Capture lessons learned, maintain organized program documentation, and share effective practices across initiatives. Identify opportunities to simplify delivery, improve coordination, and strengthen the experience of operational stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, STEM, Construction Management, or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience in program management, project management, operations improvement, business transformation, management consulting, construction, or a related environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional programs or substantial workstreams through planning, execution, implementation, and performance tracking.
• Strong program management fundamentals, including work planning, milestone and dependency management, risk and issue tracking, meeting facilitation, documentation, and status reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare concise materials and communicate effectively with functional leaders, regional partners, and field teams.
• Ability to influence, build relationships, and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Willingness to dive into operational details while maintaining a strategic view.
• Experience working with data, analytics, or technology teams on operational enablement.
• Proficiency with program management and reporting tools such as Asana, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Power BI, or similar platforms preferred.
• Experience in construction or another field-based, project-driven operating environment preferred.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stands; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

EEO Statement

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.

Compensation Information

Where required by law, pay ranges can be found in Suffolk's job postings. Base Salary for this position is just one component of Suffolk’s total rewards package for employees. Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's skill set, experience, education and other qualifications. Suffolk offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of its overall total rewards strategy. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly to reflect market trends.

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. We provide value across the entire project lifecycle through our core construction management services and complementary business lines in real estate investment, design, self-perform construction, and technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies). By integrating data, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology through our Seamless Platform, we connect design, construction, and operations to deliver smarter, more predictable results and redefine how America builds.

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $9 billion in annual revenue, 3,000 employees, and 17 offices, including Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Herndon, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other key markets. Suffolk manages some of the most complex and transformative projects in the country, serving clients across healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, aviation, transportation, government, mission critical, and commercial sectors. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.

At Suffolk, we believe that our total rewards program should offer you and your family the support you need when it matters most. That’s why we have created a program that provides employees with access to a wide variety of options that can be personalized to support you and your loved ones physically, emotionally, and financially.

Benefits include, competitive salaries, auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles, access to market leading medical and emotional and mental health benefits, dental, and vision insurance plans, virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care, generous paid time off, 401k plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources, company paid and voluntary life insurance, tax deferred savings accounts, 10 backup daycare days each year, short- and long-term disability, commuter benefits and more.? For more information, click?here.