Program Director - K-12

Base pay range

$/yr - $/yr

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

The K‑12 Program Director provides executive leadership for multi‑year, multi‑project capital improvement programs for public school districts. This role is accountable for strategy, governance, stakeholder trust, safety, inclusivity, and predictable delivery—planning through occupancy—of facilities funded by bonds, referenda, and other sources. The Program Director serves as the client’s trusted advisor, aligning scope, budget, and schedule; building high‑performing teams; and communicating transparently with Boards of Trustees, taxpayers, and the community.

• Shape program vision and operating model aligned to district goals (safety, equity, capacity, modernization, sustainability).
• Lead program initiation governance plan, program execution plan, baseline scope, schedule, and budget; define stage gates and decision rights.
• Establish program controls (cost, schedule, risk, change, quality) and reporting cadence, including dashboards and KPIs.

• Serve as executive point of contact to the Superintendent/COO and brief the School Board on progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Develop communications, transparency, and accountability practices for taxpayer‑funded programs, including bond oversight and audits.
• Champion inclusive engagement with parents, teachers, students, and neighborhood stakeholders; address disruptions to operations.

• Recruit, develop, and retain a diverse program team (PMs, project controls, commercial, communications, technology).
• Model a culture of safety, ethics, and respect; set goals, coach performance, and ensure workload/resource balance.
• Promote continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across projects and districts.

• Oversee master planning, educational specifications, design management, procurement, construction, commissioning, and activation/move‑in.
• Drive portfolio optimization sequencing, packaging, alternative delivery (CMAR, DB, JOC), and small business participation goals.
• Lead risk, change, and claims management; ensure compliance with state procurement laws and district policies.

• Own the program budget and financial performance; maintain cost forecasts, contingencies, cash flows, and funding alignment.
• Negotiate and administer consultant/contractor agreements; ensure robust invoice review, earned value, and audit readiness.
• Meet or exceed small/minority/women‑owned business (M/WBE/DBE) participation and local hiring goals.

• Select and govern the Program Management Information System (PMIS) and common data environment (CDE).
• Enable data‑driven decision making through dashboards for safety, schedule, cost, risk, and community metrics.
• Ensure data integrity, cybersecurity, and FERPA‑aligned practices for student‑adjacent information.

• Set HSSE expectations; ensure contractors implement effective safety management plans and incident learning.
• Champion safe construction around live school operations, including traffic, access, and emergency procedures.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

• 15+ years delivering capital programs with increasing responsibility, including 5+ years leading large K‑12 or public sector portfolios.
• Proven success managing multi‑site, bond‑funded programs ($100M–$1B+), from planning through construction and occupancy.

• PMP, CCM, PE, RA, LEED AP, or equivalent. OSHA 10/30‑hour a plus.

• Expertise in program controls (cost, schedule, risk, change), alternative delivery, procurement, and contract…