Americas Portfolio & Programs Leader

Portfolio & Programs Leader, Americas

Reporting to the Americas PMO Leader, the Portfolio & Programs Leader is responsible for establishing, evolving and advancing GHD’s Portfolio & Program delivery capability across the Americas. This role ensures that portfolio and program practices are applied consistently to enhance delivery success, manage commercial and contractual risks, and support the organization’s strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Define and ensure application of best‑practice tools, methodologies and processes under the Portfolio & Program Framework.
• Lead and guarantee the successful application of commercial and contractual principles to portfolios and programs.
• Identify and define the types and scales of project delivery risks across the region, developing processes, systems and competencies for risk management.
• Ensure legal and contractual risk approaches on major projects protect GHD interests.
• Maintain and implement a Major Project Leaders roster for the United States regions.
• Sustain the processes, systems and people that build the capability needed for GHD to respond to client, market and industry needs while achieving operational and strategic success.
• Provide leadership, input and support to Project Management teams throughout all phases of larger, more complex projects.

Within the Americas PMO

• Work effectively with the Americas PMO to meet portfolio and program delivery needs.
• Establish, embed and sustain people, system and process elements that create an efficient delivery capability.
• Develop, roll out and implement changes to portfolio and program delivery frameworks within the Americas.
• Ensure the Americas PMO Leadership is aware of and addresses regional requirements.

Within the EcoRegion

• Establish a sustainable roster for Portfolio Leaders and Program Managers, providing visibility and insights for regional decision‑making.
• Develop and support processes and artifacts for project mobilization, controls, commercial management and execution across all portfolio types.
• Lead and coach project management teams through all project lifecycle phases.
• Induct, train and guide major project leaders within local regions.

Within the Project Teams

• Develop project delivery resources, artifacts and tools that support best‑in‑class delivery.
• Coach teams to ensure consistent application of portfolio and program delivery tools.
• Provide insights and guidance in the nomination and mobilization of project managers for appropriate portfolios or programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Science or Project Management.
• Certifications: PMP, PgMP, or equivalent portfolio/program management certification preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience managing portfolios and programs across multiple business units or geographies in an infrastructure consulting firm.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing portfolio and program management practices and tools/systems.
• Success in initiating portfolio or program management opportunities and negotiating commercial terms.
• Demonstrated leadership and staff‑management skills, including conflict resolution with team members and clients.
• Proven ability to make and communicate tough decisions timely.
• Self‑awareness of how decisions and attitudes impact team members and project success.

Work Location and Hybrid Work Policy

This position can be based in most of GHD’s U.S. or Canada office locations. GHD supports a hybrid work model, with on‑site collaboration typically three days a week.

Equal Employment Opportunity

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal‑opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex (including same sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, disability or handicap, citizenship status, service member status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.