Zurich North America
CRE&FM Program Manager
Zurich North America seeks an experienced Program Manager to report to the Head of CRE Projects. This hybrid role based in Schaumburg Headquarters or Chicago office manages the company’s workplace and office interiors program and oversees the outsourced Project Management Service Provider (PMSP).
Overview As the corporate owner’s representative, the Program Manager bridges business strategy with outsourced project delivery, partnering with internal workstreams and functional stakeholders to create effective, sustainable, and engaging workplace environments. The role ensures all deliverables are achieved on time to support the transaction group’s activity and the Program Manager also develops budgets externally with oversight of the PMSP or internally.
Key Responsibilities
Provide corporate-level governance and oversight of the outsourced PM service provider.
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.
Serve as 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, escalated issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with Procurement on vendor contracts, work orders, and renewals.
Manage the overall program budget and financial reporting; 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.
Represent the workplace program to partners, providing executive-level summaries, financial summaries, and progress reports.
Ensure effective communication and assist internal change management group with deliverables.
Partner with Facilities, IT, and Audio Visual to align workplace projects with enterprise goals and employee needs.
Translate corporate workplace strategy into project programs executed by the outsourced provider.
Ensure design and construction outcomes reflect the company’s culture, brand, and hybrid work strategy.
Lead the development and refresh of workplace standards, design guidelines, and project management playbook.
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 demonstrates 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.
Demonstrated knowledge of regional cost contributors and ability to adjust budgets 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.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree and 6+ years of experience in program/project management within corporate workplace, interiors, or real estate; OR
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8+ years of experience in program/project management within corporate workplace, interiors, or real estate; OR
Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 6+ years of experience in program/project management within corporate workplace, interiors, or real estate.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, business, or related field.
Certifications (PMP, PgMP, LEED, WELL AP).
Experience working in a contractor, developer, or corporate real estate/workplace role.
3+ years managing outsourced service providers or third-party project management firms.
Proven success delivering large, complex, multi-million-dollar office interiors or tenant improvement projects.
Proficiency with program management and workplace technology platforms (MS Project, Excel, MS Office 365, MS Teams, AutoCAD/Revit).
Understanding of workplace design, construction, and delivery processes.
Executive communication, contractor negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to self-perform projects if desired.
Balanced strategic oversight with detail-oriented financial and schedule management.
Willingness to travel 20% for project oversight and vendor engagement, familiarity with remote technology methods preferred.
Compensation and Benefits The pay range for this position is $108,200 - $161,000 with short‑term incentive bonus eligibility of 15%. Additional rewards may include short‑term incentive bonuses and merit increases.
Location and Work Arrangement Location: Schaumburg or Chicago office. Remote Working: Hybrid. Schedule: Full Time. Employment Sponsorship: No.
Equal Opportunity Statement Zurich in North America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Application Notes Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Zurich North America by 2x. Candidates are encouraged to apply directly through the company portal; Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms.
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Overview As the corporate owner’s representative, the Program Manager bridges business strategy with outsourced project delivery, partnering with internal workstreams and functional stakeholders to create effective, sustainable, and engaging workplace environments. The role ensures all deliverables are achieved on time to support the transaction group’s activity and the Program Manager also develops budgets externally with oversight of the PMSP or internally.
Key Responsibilities
Provide corporate-level governance and oversight of the outsourced PM service provider.
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.
Serve as 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, escalated issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with Procurement on vendor contracts, work orders, and renewals.
Manage the overall program budget and financial reporting; 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.
Represent the workplace program to partners, providing executive-level summaries, financial summaries, and progress reports.
Ensure effective communication and assist internal change management group with deliverables.
Partner with Facilities, IT, and Audio Visual to align workplace projects with enterprise goals and employee needs.
Translate corporate workplace strategy into project programs executed by the outsourced provider.
Ensure design and construction outcomes reflect the company’s culture, brand, and hybrid work strategy.
Lead the development and refresh of workplace standards, design guidelines, and project management playbook.
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 demonstrates 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.
Demonstrated knowledge of regional cost contributors and ability to adjust budgets 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.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree and 6+ years of experience in program/project management within corporate workplace, interiors, or real estate; OR
High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8+ years of experience in program/project management within corporate workplace, interiors, or real estate; OR
Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 6+ years of experience in program/project management within corporate workplace, interiors, or real estate.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in construction management, engineering, business, or related field.
Certifications (PMP, PgMP, LEED, WELL AP).
Experience working in a contractor, developer, or corporate real estate/workplace role.
3+ years managing outsourced service providers or third-party project management firms.
Proven success delivering large, complex, multi-million-dollar office interiors or tenant improvement projects.
Proficiency with program management and workplace technology platforms (MS Project, Excel, MS Office 365, MS Teams, AutoCAD/Revit).
Understanding of workplace design, construction, and delivery processes.
Executive communication, contractor negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to self-perform projects if desired.
Balanced strategic oversight with detail-oriented financial and schedule management.
Willingness to travel 20% for project oversight and vendor engagement, familiarity with remote technology methods preferred.
Compensation and Benefits The pay range for this position is $108,200 - $161,000 with short‑term incentive bonus eligibility of 15%. Additional rewards may include short‑term incentive bonuses and merit increases.
Location and Work Arrangement Location: Schaumburg or Chicago office. Remote Working: Hybrid. Schedule: Full Time. Employment Sponsorship: No.
Equal Opportunity Statement Zurich in North America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Application Notes Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Zurich North America by 2x. Candidates are encouraged to apply directly through the company portal; Zurich does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms.
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