CRE&FM Program Manager

Overview

Zurich is seeking an experienced Program Manager. This role reports to the Head of CRE Projects and serves as an extension of the Head of CRE Projects, managing the 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.

This is a hybrid role based 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 work streams 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, and budgets can be developed externally with oversight of the PM service provider or internally by the Program Manager.

• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Translate corporate workplace strategy into project programs executed by the outsourced provider.
• Ensure design and construction outcomes reflect the company’s culture, brand, and evolving hybrid work strategy.
• Lead the development and refresh of workplace standards, design guidelines, and project management playbook.

• Bachelors Degree and 6 or more years of experience in program/project management within corporate workplace, interiors, or real estate.
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in program/project management within corporate workplace, interiors, or real estate.
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice including an Associate Degree and 6 or more years of experience in program/project management within corporate workplace, interiors, or real estate.

• 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’ or more experience 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).
• Understand…