Construction Program Manager, Architecture

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:

• Advance Airport Development
• Transform the Customer Experience
• Optimize Ongoing Business
• Cultivate Our Culture

Here, culture starts with each of us. Our workplace is shaped by mindsets that guide how we show up for one another: believing the best in people, collaboration, empathy, listening, and thoughtful decision-making. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.

Why You'll Love Working at SAN

• Location: Project Management Complex, located on the San Diego International Airport campus. Work alongside our Construction partners on the waterfront, providing stunning views of San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline. Regular visits to new and ongoing construction sites throughout Airport campus.
• Hybrid Schedule: This role follows a hybrid schedule with both on-site and remote work. On-site days are required, based on department needs, to support collaboration and business operations. Remote work flexibility is available on other days as determined by the department.
• Salary: The hiring salary for Program Manager, Engineering & Construction is $167,223-$192,306. The full pay range for Program Manager, Engineering & Construction is $121,617-$212,829.
• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
• Wellness: Enjoy a workplace that makes well‑being part of the daily routine! Tap into multiple on‑site gyms, unwind or brainstorm in outdoor workspaces, score fitness discounts for every level and goal, give back with volunteer‑time rewards, connect with financial wellness advisors, and explore scenic walking trails just steps from campus, all wrapped in a supportive wellness package designed to help you feel your best inside and outside of work.
• Application Deadline: June 10, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

About the Job

The Airport Design & Construction department is looking for a Construction Program Manager with a collaborative leadership focus on architectural and tenant improvement programs to help shape and deliver projects that support the evolving passenger experience at San Diego International Airport. This role is responsible for overseeing complex capital improvement and tenant improvement initiatives in active airport environments, guiding projects from early planning and scope development through construction and implementation.

Serving as a strategic partner across the organization, this role works closely with project managers, contractors, consultants, tenants, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to ensure projects are aligned, operationally thoughtful, and successfully delivered. The ideal candidate understands that successful airport projects start with focusing on partnership, process, and the passenger experience. They are highly collaborative, operationally minded, and comfortable navigating complex environments where priorities, timelines, and stakeholders intersect daily. This role requires someone who can balance strategic thinking with practical execution, proactively remove roadblocks, foster strong working relationships, and support teams through evolving project demands.

This is an exciting opportunity to help influence highly visible projects across the airport, including terminal and concession improvements that directly impact how travelers experience SAN. The role offers the chance to work on interconnected capital programs in one of the most dynamic and operationally complex environments in the region, where no two projects and their challenges ever look exactly the same.

What You’ll Do

• Strategic Capital Planning: Develops and implements long and short-term strategies, operational objectives, and financial approaches for Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects aligned with organizational goals.
• Program & Project Oversight: Manages and integrates complex design projects from planning through implementation while ensuring compliance with standards and operational requirements.
• Risk & Logistics Management: Identifies and mitigates project risks, dependencies, and logistical challenges to support project delivery within budget, schedule, and organizational priorities.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Leads cross-functional teams and fosters collaboration among stakeholders, consultants, contractors, tenants, and leadership to resolve issues and support successful program delivery.
• Team Leadership & Development: Provides leadership, coaching, and performance management to develop high-performing teams and cultivate a collaborative and positive work environment.
• Data, Innovation & Compliance: Oversees technology-based solutions, project reporting, metrics, and documentation while supporting safe work practices, sustainability initiatives, and continuous process improvement.

The Skills You Need

1. Leadership & Influence – Builds trust, motivates teams, develops staff, and gains support for projects, ideas, and organizational initiatives through collaboration and accountability.
2. Project Management – Oversees complex projects by managing scope, budgets, schedules, resources, and coordination efforts to ensure timely and effective project delivery.
3. Critical Thinking – Evaluates business needs, analyzes challenges, and develops practical, strategic solutions aligned with organizational objectives.
4. Problem Solving & Adaptability – Navigates changing priorities, operational challenges, and complex situations by developing collaborative and flexible solutions.
5. Relationship Management – Establishes strong working relationships across teams, stakeholders, consultants, and partners through consistency, reliability, and effective conflict resolution.
6. Communication & Collaboration – Communicates clearly and professionally while facilitating collaboration, aligning expectations, and engaging stakeholders with diplomacy and influence.
7. Change Management – Supports and implements process improvements, organizational initiatives, and evolving business needs while effectively managing change and stakeholder concerns.

About the Team

The Airport Design & Construction Department is where ideas become infrastructure. This team is responsible for delivering the new builds, capital improvements, and tenant projects that shape the airport experience for millions of passengers each year. From multi-million-dollar terminal renovations to critical airfield and landside improvements, the department manages the planning, design and execution of projects that keep the airport modern, safe, and operating at the highest level while enhancing the passenger experience.

The Program Manager leads a project team responsible for implementing a diverse portfolio of complex construction projects that require collaboration with designers, airport operations, airlines, tenants, regulatory partners, and contractors. The project team guides every project through planning, design, procurement, construction, and closeout with thoughtful care in one of the most sensitive and high-profile environments in transportation.

For those looking to contribute to projects that shape the future of the airport while working alongside a collaborative team of architects, engineers, inspectors, project controls professionals, construction managers, and project managers, the Airport Design & Construction Department offers a unique opportunity to build infrastructure that keeps the region connected to the world.

Requirements

The Experience You Need to Have

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience involving design, construction, construction project management, or a closely related field, at least three years of which were in a management role overseeing staff specializing in design and construction, construction project management, and/or airport management; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in degree in architecture, civil engineering, construction management, or a closely related field.

Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements

• Master’s degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field.
• Licensed Architect or Professional Engineer (PE) in any state within the United States.
• Certified Construction Manager (CCM) certification through the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).
• Design-Build Professional (DBIA) certification through the Design-Build Institute of America.

Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Physical & Mental Demands

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.