Full-Time

Program Director

Education Construction

Updated on 9/3/2026

Harris & Associates

Harris & Associates

11-50 employees

Higher education executive search and advisory

Compensation Overview

$175k - $235k/yr

+ ESOP + 401(k) match

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Hybrid

Frequent travel to other offices, field locations, and client meetings may be required.

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
Project & Program Management (1)
Required Skills
Communications

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Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, architecture, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
  • At least 15 years of construction-relevant experience, including at least 6 years of relevant project management experience.
  • Depending on the project, a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record may be required.
  • Ability to frequently travel to other offices, field locations, and client meetings.
Responsibilities
  • Lead multiple large, highly complex projects with significant integration among disciplines and high performance risk.
  • Maintain extensive contact with key leaders in Harris, communities, and markets.
  • Serve as an internal and external subject matter expert.
  • Lead the full project management cycle or portions of the program management cycle with multiple task teams.
  • Oversee project or program quality and completion in alignment with project plans and intended financial outcomes.
  • Direct the development of project management plans and estimate resource requirements, including management, labor, materials, and time.
  • Facilitate discussions and negotiations to drive consensus and resolve conflicts and contract issues.
  • Lead preparation of complex proposals in response to requests for proposals, including firm and team qualifications, approach, scope of work, schedule, and cost.
  • Develop and help execute comprehensive change management strategies and communications.
  • Secure, negotiate, and contract the services of sub-consultants required for projects.
  • Attract, develop, and manage senior project management and technical staff.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact with clients to deliver high-quality services within the technical specialization or broadly for the practice.
  • Cultivate trusted advisor, executive-level client relationships to position Harris to win new and follow-on work.
  • Oversee client relationships within the team and serve as an executive leadership resource.
  • Initiate and lead strategic business development efforts and growth goals in alignment with the company's strategic focus areas and plan.
Desired Qualifications
  • A master's degree is preferred.
  • A professional engineering or architectural license is preferred.
  • Additional certifications such as CCM, PMP, and QSP are preferred.

Harris Search Associates is a global executive search and leadership advisory firm focused exclusively on higher education. It helps universities, research parks, and academic medical centers recruit leaders for roles in research, science, engineering, technology, academic medicine, and healthcare administration. It uses a worldwide network through IIC Partners (52 offices in 34 countries) to identify qualified candidates across disciplines and provide international reach. Its goal is to help clients grow and advance research, education, and innovation by placing senior leaders who guide strategy, operations, and collaboration across institutions.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Dublin, Ohio

Founded

1997

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Ferris State hired Harris in April 2026 for Sean Lancaster’s provost search.
  • Xavier selected Harris in 2026 for Steven Halm’s founding medical-school dean search.
  • RIT engaged Harris in March 2026 for its electrical and computer engineering chair search.

What critics are saying

  • University budget cuts in 2026 compress retained-search demand and delay new searches.
  • AGB Search, WittKieffer, and Isaacson Miller intensify pricing pressure across higher education.
  • Founder-led relationships create succession risk if Jeffrey Harris steps back in 2027.

What makes Harris & Associates unique

  • Exclusive higher-education focus spans research, academic medicine, and healthcare administration.
  • Harris Search Associates claims 1,100-plus assignments, 94% placement, and 70% repeat clients.
  • IIC Partners gives Harris Search Associates access to 44 offices across 33 countries.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Company Equity

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Wellness Program

Tuition Reimbursement

Flexible Work Hours

Hybrid Work Options

Remote Work Options

Parental Leave