Sr. Program Manager, Construction

As a Sr. Program Manager at Quest Diagnostics, you won’t just manage timelines; you will shape the physical spaces where life-saving diagnostics happen. From state-of-the-art laboratory buildouts and relocations to facility upgrades, you will lead high-impact, multi-million dollar projects across the US. You will design and deliver world-class spaces that improve Quest’s operational efficiency, elevate employee experience, and directly improve patient care. 

The Sr. Program Manager is hybrid and will be based in Houston. The Sr. Program Manager will support construction projects locally and across the US, and travel will vary based on the project location (25-50%) and needs of the organization. 

Project Leadership

• Leads projects and working teams to effectively initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close projects
• Leads projects through issues, roadblocks, and complex problems
• Acts as a change agent to drive cross-functional teams toward success
• Guides team members to perform through issues, constraints, and competing priorities

Project Ownership

• Owns the project timeline, budget, resource allocations, and deliverables/results
• Balances strategic big-picture vision with small-but-crucial tactical details

• Demonstrates a hands-on approach to work through detailed operational issues

   

Project Management & Execution

• Ensures all appropriate project management tools are completed and used effectively (e.g., project charter, Gantt chart, status updates, risk registers)
• Applies project management tools and techniques toward a variety of large and inter-related projects
• Establishes and leads programs comprised of multiple projects, including designing executive roll-up reporting, cascading communication structures, operating rhythms, and tracking integrated milestones and deliverables

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Actively communicates with project sponsors, business leaders, and key stakeholders
• Establishes regular communication cadences and reporting mechanisms
• Effectively manages sponsor and stakeholder expectations

Delivery & Accountability

• Delivers expected project outcomes and key performance indicators
• Performs root cause analysis on project shortfalls and executes corrective action plans as necessary
• Documents business processes to ensure standard work and operational clarity

Coaching & Capability Building

• Coaches employees on the use of project management tools, concepts, and practices to foster self-sufficiency, sustainability, and scalability across teams
• Leads training sessions and workshops
• Participates in organizational Communities of Practice
• Completes required continuing education and professional development 

Work Experience

• Required Work Experience: 7+ years of demonstrated experience leading large or complex construction or real estate-related projects with multiple workstreams from initiation to completion
• Preferred Work Experience: Experience supporting projects for a regulated industry.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• Project management credentials, such as certification administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) required

Knowledge

• Demonstrated experience facilitating collaborative discussions or workshops
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong cross-functional relationships
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change
• Demonstrated ability to influence business leaders
• Experience with business process management
• Basic knowledge of Voice of Customer (VOC) tools
• General knowledge of strategic planning and breakthrough planning methodologies

Skills

• Strong data analysis skills
• Advanced problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities
• Effective written and verbal communication skills across multiple formats (formal presentations, executive meetings, conference calls, emails, and memos)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project
• High interpersonal capability and collaborative mindset
• Sound decision-making and judgment under pressure
• Exceptional planning, prioritization, and organization skills
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Results-oriented, creative, persistent, and composed
• Ability to learn new concepts rapidly and navigate ambiguity
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision