Sr Program Director

Job Description Overview We are seeking a Sr Program Director/Owner’s Representative Lead to join our team in Richmond, VA. Our Pharmaceutical team is growing! The Program Director/Owner’s Representative Lead serves as the client’s single point of accountability for the full lifecycle of the Owner’s Representative engagement. This role is responsible for directing and aligning all workstream leads, governing scope, schedule, and performance, managing the client relationship, and ensuring successful delivery of program outcomes. The individual operates as a strategic leader, integrator, and decision authority, driving execution excellence while safeguarding the client’s interests. This is a lead role at an exciting mega campus site for a pharmaceutical client in Alabama/Virginia with the opportunity to direct a career-making program on a greenfield campus. We are offering a full-time position with AtkinsRéalis that comes with the opportunity to prove your true potential, provide expert services on world class projects, collaborate, and grow with professional services experts, and receive an attractive compensation package with robust benefits.

Your role

• Plan and organize the observation and documentation of construction projects.
• Schedule and coordinate observation of ongoing work and testing and sampling of materials.
• Assign, lead and supervise internal staff engaged in observation and testing and in related record keeping.
• Monitor contractors' progress against schedule and prepares progress reports.
• Oversee all aspects of program, from chartering and governance, to design and construction, to controls and technology.
• Review payment requests and determines amount owing to contractor(s) based on on-site observations and contract stipulations.
• Oversee compilation of final estimate documents.
• Develop/maintain master program plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams and ensure alignment to client program objectives.
• Ensure programs are delivered on time, within scope/budget, and meet quality standards.
• Perform non-manual field work that involves a combination of conventional and complex features, requiring the application of sound and diversified professional knowledge in board areas of assignments, usually including the coordination of various projects.
• Serve as the sole accountable leader for the owner’s representative program across all phases, from planning through execution and closeout.
• Lead, coordinate, and direct all workstream leads.
• Establish clear program governance structures, decision-making protocols, and escalation pathways.
• Drive a high-performing, integrated team environment aligned to client strategic objectives.
• Act as the primary point of contact for client stakeholders, ensuring strong, transparent, and trusted relationships.
• Translate client business objectives into actionable program strategies and execution plans.
• Provide clear, consistent communication on program status, risks, and performance metrics.
• Facilitate executive-level reporting and decision-making.
• Own and govern overall program scope, ensuring alignment with approved objectives and contractual requirements.
• Ensure seamless coordination across all program functions, contractors, and external partners.
• Oversee integrated master scheduling, ensuring milestones and critical path activities are achieved.
• Supervise field representatives and field office personnel, ensuring performance standards, accountability, and consistent communication.

About you

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or related field and ten years related experience including personnel.
• 20+ years professional experience (BS) or 15+ years (MS/MBA), with at least 5 years managing highly complex projects/programs in a senior capacity.
• Experience working on multi-billion-dollar programs.
• Pharmaceutical industry experience; also will consider experience in other heavy process industries such as semiconductor/high tech, chemical, EV battery, and oil and gas.
• Experience building teams and processes/systems from scratch.
• Engineering design experience desirable.
• Apply analytical and organizational skills to manage workflows, prioritize tasks, and improve operational efficiency.
• Demonstrate strong leadership and managerial skills to effectively guide and support team members.
• Excellent communications skills and comfort with executive level client interface.

Rewards & benefits

At AtkinsRéalis, our values—Safety, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Excellence—are more than just words. These principles shape our culture, guide our decisions, and inspire us to create an environment where every team member feels empowered to grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact.

• medical, dental, vision, company-paid life and short- and long-term disability benefits, employer-matched 401(k) with 100% vesting, employee stock purchase plan, Paid Time Off, leaves of absences options, flexible work options, recognition and employee satisfaction programs, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional information

Expected compensation range is between $230,000 - $270,000 depending on skills, experience, and geographical location.

AtkinsRéalis is an equal opportunity, Drug-Free employer EOE/Veteran/Disability Please review AtkinsRéalis’ Equal Opportunity Statement here.

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Worker Type Employee Job Type Regular

We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.