Practice Leader - Development, Project, & Program Management

Founded in 2007, Ward Getz & Associates LLC (WGA) is a Texas based professional consulting firm that has steadily grown in a competitive market by consistently delivering exceptional quality and service. Our success is rooted in the belief that creative design drives successful projects and that strong collaborative relationships with municipalities, permitting authorities, and local and state agencies lead to tangible results throughout the development process. Our diverse project experience spans industrial, commercial, large mixed-use developments, hospitality, healthcare, education, municipal infrastructure, and both multifamily and single-family residential projects. From preliminary feasibility studies to full scale design, we are committed to providing value through innovative and cost-effective solutions tailored to each project's unique needs. With five established offices across Texas in Houston, The Woodlands, College Station, Austin, and San Antonio, and with remote team members located throughout the United States, WGA continues to expand its reach while maintaining a strong local presence.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly experienced and dynamic Program Management Practice Leader in the field of project, program, and development management to oversee and lead our program management team while driving the successful execution of complex projects and programs. This leadership role will be responsible for the continued development and management of the program management practice, including strategy, operations, client relationships, business development, financial performance, and team development, while ensuring the successful delivery of projects across a broad range of sectors and project types.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project management, development management, or program management within the real estate, design, engineering, or construction industries; a proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams; and a deep understanding of project lifecycle management from planning and procurement through design, construction, and project closeout. This individual will also play a key role in expanding client relationships and supporting the continued growth and long-term success of the practice.

Leadership & Strategy Development

• Lead, manage, and expand the project and program management practice while ensuring alignment with company goals, objectives, and long-term growth strategies.
• Develop and implement strategic plans for program management services, ensuring projects are delivered successfully with respect to scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client expectations.
• Provide leadership that fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement across teams.
• Mentor and support junior and mid-level staff while promoting professional development and leadership growth opportunities.

Program & Project Management

• Oversee the execution of a wide variety of project types ranging from small-scale assignments to large, complex, multi-phased developments and infrastructure programs.
• Develop and implement program management standards, best practices, processes, and reporting procedures across all projects.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, staffing, procurement coordination, risk management efforts, and overall project execution activities.
• Identify and proactively resolve issues that may impact project delivery, providing strategic solutions that maintain project objectives and client satisfaction.

Preconstruction & Estimating

• Manage multiple projects from concept through bidding, design, and subcontract bidding phases to ensure project alignment and success.
• Develop initial schedules denoting project and construction timelines.
• Input take-off data into computer estimating programs for accurate and efficient analysis.
• Prepare conceptual estimates from limited information to support early project planning.

Client Management & Business Development

• Cultivate and maintain strong client relationships while serving as a primary point of contact for program management-related services.
• Collaborate with business development and marketing teams to pursue new opportunities and expand the firm’s presence across multiple market sectors.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, qualifications packages, proposals, and interview materials demonstrating the firm’s capabilities in project, program, and development management services.
• Maintain a high level of client satisfaction through responsive communication, strategic guidance, and consistent project leadership throughout the project lifecycle.

Team Development & Collaboration

• Lead and collaborate with program managers, project managers, architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and support staff in a team-oriented environment.
• Promote professional development through mentoring, training, knowledge sharing, and leadership opportunities.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure projects are aligned with client objectives, regulatory requirements, and project delivery goals.
• Provide leadership in quality assurance, project controls, risk management, and operational consistency across all projects and programs.

Business Operations & Financial Oversight

• Oversee program budgets, staffing forecasts, resource allocation, and operational planning activities.
• Drive operational efficiency and innovation by identifying opportunities to improve processes, communication, and project delivery methods.
• Monitor financial performance to ensure the practice operates efficiently while meeting or exceeding revenue and profitability goals.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, codes, and industry standards relevant to design, development, and construction activities.

Qualifications

Education/Licensure

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Business, or a related field required;
• MBA preferred.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or similar certification preferred. PE (Professional Engineer) or RA (Registered Architect) licensure is a plus.

Experience

• Minimum of 10–15 years of experience in project management, program management, development management, or related leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects, developments, and programs of varying size and complexity.
• Proven experience in business development, client relationship management, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Strong understanding of project delivery methods including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Construction Management at Risk (CMAR), and negotiated delivery approaches.
• Expertise in managing project budgets, schedules, staffing resources, procurement coordination, and risk management processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication, presentation, organizational, and interpersonal skills. 

EEO STATEMENT
WGA is committed to providing equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and its employees. The Company strictly prohibits all discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, religious creed or belief, physical or mental disability, marital or familial status, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship status, protected activity or any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: Please note that WGA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, WGA will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, WGA explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of WGA.