Full-Time

Senior Program Director

CESO

CESO

11-50 employees

Compensation Overview

$115.6k - $256k/yr

Akron, OH, USA

Hybrid

Category
Business & Strategy (1)
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Surveying or related field, with a minimum of 20 years of experience directly managing projects in a design and construction related field is preferred
  • Or 25 years related experience and/or training is required
  • Proven track record in leading a team and working with multiple projects
  • Professional Licensure (RA, PE, PS, RLA) is preferred
  • PMP certification is preferred
  • Computer skills necessary to enter daily timesheet data and use Microsoft Outlook for email correspondence
  • Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, Deltek, and Newforma
  • Ability to travel
Responsibilities
  • Be accountable for the team’s quality of work, productivity, and actions
  • Assist team members by providing technical direction
  • Provides senior-level leadership for highly complex, high-impact portfolios across multiple clients, markets, or regions
  • Serves as a trusted advisor to senior client executives; builds and sustains long-term executive-level relationships
  • Leads high-stakes pursuit strategies, portfolio negotiations, and major contract execution for enterprise-level programs
  • Oversees multiple Program Directors and senior project teams, ensuring consistent and high-quality project delivery
  • Partners with firm leadership to drive innovation, best practices, and continuous improvement in client and portfolio management
  • Mentors and develops high-potential leaders; contributes to succession planning and organizational leadership capability
  • Represents the firm at industry events, contributes to thought leadership efforts, and enhances firm visibility and reputation
  • Supervising direct reports is a key responsibility of this job
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Founded

2009

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Jason Mutzenberger joined CESO from Eden Prairie Schools in April 2026.
  • CESO launched Building Engineering service line for optimized building performance.
  • CESO expanded multi-disciplinary services including surveying and architecture nationwide.

What critics are saying

  • Aggressive expansion dilutes civil engineering expertise causing client attrition.
  • Stagnant $175.7M revenue lags benchmarks eroding margins versus AECOM.
  • Overreliance on 10 offices stretches management triggering quality lapses.

What makes CESO unique

  • CESO provides MEP engineering via Building Engineering led by Joe Hillebrenner.
  • CESO operates 10-15 offices nationwide with 350+ associates under Steve Olson.
  • CESO supports 230+ school districts with operational consulting expertise.

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People at CESO who can refer or advise you

Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Paid Time Off – Credited to You 100% Upfront

401K with a Company Match

Paid Holidays

Medical / Dental / Vision Coverage

Reimbursement for Professional Licenses

Paid Time Off for Community Team Service Events

Voluntary or Supplemental Short-Term / Long-Term Disability

Employee Assistance Program

Company Paid Bonding and Recovery

Employee Events such as Lunches and Outings to Foster a Positive Work Environment

Training and Development to Foster Professional Growth

Company News

Eden Prairie Local News
Nov 4th, 2023
EPS' business director to join school consultant company CESO

Jason Mutzenberger, executive director of business services for the past nine-plus years at Eden Prairie Schools (EPS), is leaving the district to join the Center for Effective School Operations (CESO), a Minneapolis-based consulting firm that provides operational support services to more than 230 school districts in the U.S. and Canada.

CESO
May 30th, 2023
My Website is a Mess… Where Do I Even Start?

Despite some challenges, both website launches went great and Ceso even won NSPRA awards and a Finalsite Double Diamond Award, but I definitely swore off ever doing a new website again after each launch.