Program Development Director

About Lochner

Founded in 1944, Lochner is a trusted infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation and water clients who need high-quality, forward-looking solutions to complex challenges. Our vision is to become a Top 100 leader in the A/E industry, centered on an agile, engaged, and empowered workforce coming together to embrace the art of the possible and make a lasting difference in our world.

Are you ready to join us on this journey?

As a people-centric company, Lochner's purpose is to empower our team to put their knowledge to work, enhancing communities across the US. To achieve this, we hire candidates of all experiences and skillsets because amazing things happen when people with diverse backgrounds come together to solve problems. We believe collaboration is more than a buzz word — it is a guiding principle in which every point of view is valued and heard and is the driving force in delivering our best work. At all levels of the organization, we foster an entrepreneurial spirit and culture of autonomy to advance our strategic vision and continually seek our next success story. Lochner – learn more about us.

The Program Development Director is responsible for establishing and advancing program management and advisory capabilities across North America. This role focuses on developing scalable frameworks, empowering practice leaders, and delivering strategic advisory services that enable successful outcomes across complex capital programs. The position partners with senior executives to shape program strategies, strengthen delivery models, and drive long-term value, including effective management of risk, budget, asset development, and organizational capability.

Program Development & Strategy

• Design and implement the North American Program Management and Advisory business plan.

• Develop scalable program frameworks, methodologies, and governance models, including enterprise risk management structures and program-level budget/financial frameworks.

• Ensure alignment of scope, schedule, cost, and risk across complex programs.

• Identify growth opportunities and enhance service offerings across program/project management, cost/commercial, and controls.

Capability Building & Organizational Development

• Empower and support practice leads across:

  • Program & Project Management

  • Cost & Commercial Management

  • Project Controls

• Lead organizational design and operating model development, strengthening delivery capability across teams and functions.

• Build integrated delivery models that align capabilities across disciplines.

• Advance tools, systems, and best practices to enhance program performance and scalability.

Strategic Advisory

• Provide high-level advisory services to executive stakeholders on major infrastructure and capital programs.

• Support decision-making through data-driven insights, quantitative risk analysis, and budget/financial performance strategies.

• Advise on governance, controls, and delivery approaches to optimize program outcomes and mitigate risk.

Client Engagement & Program Shaping

• Collaborate with clients early in the lifecycle to shape programs for success.

• Support pursuit strategies, proposals, and solution development for key opportunities.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with major clients, ensuring alignment with their strategic and financial objectives.

Program Performance, Asset Development & Excellence

• Promote consistency and excellence in program delivery approaches.

• Drive continuous improvement in methodologies, tools, and performance metrics.

• Support asset development strategies, ensuring alignment between program delivery and long-term asset performance, lifecycle management, and operational objectives.

• Ensure alignment with industry best practices and emerging trends.

Who you are?

• Strong experience in program development, program management, or advisory within infrastructure, transportation, or large capital programs.
• Proven ability to build and scale program management capabilities or business lines.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and contributing to strategic decision-making.
• Expertise in program/project management, risk management, budget/financial oversight, cost/commercial management, and project controls.
• Background in consulting, advisory, or owner-side program environments preferred.

Key Competencies:

• Program design and development
• Risk and financial/budget management
• Asset and lifecycle strategy
• Organizational design and capability building
• Strategic planning and execution
• Executive communication and stakeholder engagement

Joining Lochner means gaining access to a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health and financial well-being throughout your career.

Lochner provides an extensive total rewards package that includes:

• Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision

• Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program

• Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care

• Paid Family Leave

• Retirement Plan with Employer Match

• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible)

• Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health

• Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3

• Education and Training Assistance

• Employee Assistance Program

• Employee Discounts

• Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service

What we offer – Learn more

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting. The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds. Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery, occasional need to walk on uneven ground, exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights.

Equal Employer

Lochner is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Lochner provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

All positions at Lochner require an applicant who has accepted an employment offer to undergo pre-employment screening. Background checks include SSN/SIN validation, motor vehicle verification, education verification, employment verification, a criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, and drug test. All employment offers are contingent upon successful results of the pre-employment screening.

Salary : $250,000 - $270,000