Deputy Chief Of Program Strategy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $170,000.00 - $175,000.00 Annually
Location : Central Administration 2700 Ogden Avenue Downers Grove, 60515, IL
Job Type: Professionals
Job Number: 2322-82026
Department: Engineering
Opening Date: 08/26/2026
Closing Date: 9/9/2026 11:59 PM Central
Is this a union role?: No
Union Name: Salaried - 6
Position Grade: 3
Position Overview
The Illinois Tollway is committed to providing a safe, efficient highway system while ensuring the highest possible level of service to our customers. Whether it's I-PASS, the Move Illinois Program, the Bridging the Future Program, open road tolling or keeping you safe with our H.E.L.P. trucks, we are committed to delivering great benefits and services to customers.
The Tollway operates as a user-fee system, relying exclusively on toll and concession revenues for maintenance and operations. No state or federal tax dollars are used.
Under the leadership of the Board of Directors and Executive Staff, the Tollway is committed to achieving the following goals: strengthening collaboration with regional transportation and planning agencies, supporting the regional economy, upholding financial integrity, promoting environmental responsibility and sustainability, maintaining the safety and efficiency of the Tollway system, enhancing transparency and accountability, improving customer service, and fostering public trust.
The Deputy Chief of Program Implementation reports directly to the Chief Engineering Officer and is responsible for overseeing the design and construction of projects to ensure they meet the Tollway's standards for schedule, scope, and budget. This role involves coordinating with project personnel to resolve issues related to design, construction, policy, and staff, and preparing confidential reports and analyses as requested. The Deputy Chief serves as a key advisor and resource for the Chief Engineering Officer, communicates any sensitive matters requiring immediate attention, and works closely with executive management, project managers, contractors, agencies, municipalities, and the public to ensure successful programming, design, and construction, as well as the implementation of customer service initiatives. The Deputy Chief also represents the Tollway at meetings and serves as an official spokesperson.
Essential Job Functions
Serves as the primary staff and resource for the Chief Engineering Officer on all matters of the Engineering Department.

• Administrative Responsibilities:
  • Directs Tollway engineering staff, including Executive Project Engineers and Managers, Senior Project Engineers and Managers, Project Managers, and support staff.
  • Responsible for personnel matters including training, performance appraisals, and disciplinary actions.
  • Conducts staff meetings to ensure all administrative functions are executed and enforced.
  • Monitors employee travel.
• Departmental Responsibilities:
  • Manages work performed by the Tollway's Consulting Engineer which includes technical and trust indenture services.
  • Serves as primary point of contact for coordination with other Tollway departments on overarching matters including the following departments: Internal Audit, Fleet and Facilities, Finance, Information Technology, Procurement, Diversity, Business Systems, Communications, etc.
  • Represents the Engineering department within the Tollway related to agency initiatives such as strategic planning and enterprise risk management.
  • Participates in budgeting and departmental strategic planning as necessary for establishment of annual budgets and goals.
  • Provides strategic development of the Engineering Department's objectives, policies, and programs.
  • Manages the Quality program including necessary activities related to maintaining an International Standards Organization (ISO) certification. ISO activities include development of a Quality policy and manual, ISO procedures and periodic review thereof and overseeing ISO audits and staff training efforts.
  • Presents to external agencies, professional organizations and other public groups.

• Program Implementation Responsibilities:

• Supports development and activities associated with solicitation of professional services necessary for capital program implementation. Such efforts include preparing Professional Service Bulletin (PSB) documents, procurement schedules, scoring and selection activities and other related items.
• Engages in the negotiation of consultant fees and makes recommendations to the Chief Engineering Officer for contract award.
• Provides insight into the development of project scopes, monitors, manages agreements.
• Prepare agenda for the monthly Board of Directors meetings.
• Manages work performed by the Tollway's Program Management Office consultant which includes overseeing and tracking capital program delivery efforts.
• Manages work performed through other capital program support contracts related to materials engineering, independent assurance, infrastructure management, Job Order Contracting (JOC), the Web Based Program Management System and others as necessary and appropriate.
• Leads meetings with other State (IDOT, IDNR-OWR), Local Agencies (Counties and Municipalities) and community groups to coordinate project requirements and required permits. Evaluates and develops required agency agreements.
• Reviews and approves project-related correspondence requiring the Chief Engineering Officer's signature and approval (i.e. notice to proceed, transfer of reallocation of funds, approval of subcontractors, approval to advertise, issuance of addenda, etc.
• Reconciles and approves consultant bi-weekly/monthly progress reports, invoices, and contractor pay estimates.
• Provides executive engineering input on all issues raised during the development of design and construction contracts. Reviews methods to resolve deviations from construction plans. Reviews and provides recommendations for change orders and extra work orders due to work-scope modifications, changed conditions, or other modifications. Attends coordination meetings with Contractors and Professional Engineering Consultants.
• As directed by the Chief Engineering Officer, the Deputy Chief can chair or participate in the Construction Change Cost Controls Committee (C-5) and Errors and Omissions and Surety and Warranty committees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, or equivalent experience with an emphasis on transportation and/or roadway and bridge type projects is required; an advanced degree is desired.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in highway planning, design or construction and 5 years of supervisory experience is required.
• Excellent analytical, verbal, written, and interpersonal skills in order to effectively manage a complex, dynamic, and intense capital program.
• Excellent organizational skills to effectively manage complex studies and projects.
• Exercise sound judgment in responding to various inquiries and requests, including those of a sensitive nature; prioritizing those requiring the Chief Engineering Officer's immediate attention.
• Project and contract management experience is required.
• Proficient in Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe Sign and Microsoft Office Suite applications including Outlook, Excel, Word and Teams.
• Experience in administering consultant contracts is also desirable.

This position is subject to the Revolving Door provision under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. For questions regarding the Revolving Door provisions, please contact the Illinois Tollway Ethics Officer.
The Illinois Tollway is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, disability, unfavorable discharge from military services, age, order of protection status, military status, sex or sexual orientation.
All stated experience for each question listed within the Supplemental Question Section must also be reflected in the "Work Experience" section of your application or in your resume. Failure to do so, or overstating experience, will result in receiving no credit for your answer, and may result in your disqualification from consideration.
At the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, we give our employees the tools to succeed both on and off the job. Our generous benefits package provides comprehensive coverage to help you protect your health and earning power and prepare for the future. In addition, we offer several programs that help you grow in your career and make the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority a great place to work!
MEDICAL, Rx, DENTAL, VISION BENEFITS

• Aetna Select Open Access (HMO) - Premium FREE!
• Aetna Choice POS II (PPO)
• Aetna Prescription, Dental and Vision included at no additional cost.
• EyeMed Vision Care Voluntary Coverage

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

• Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Pre-tax account you put money into that you use to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs.
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending (DCAP)
  • Pre-tax account you put money into that you use to pay for dependent care costs.

TERM LIFE & AD&D INSURANCE

• Basic Term Life & AD&D - Premium FREE!
• Additional coverage available

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

• Annual Reimbursement - $5,250

PAID TIME OFF

• Holidays
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Bank
• Bereavement Leave
• Parental Leave

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

• No cost services for employee and family.

STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEMS (SERS or SRS) PROGRAMS

• Pension Plan
• Non-Occupational and Occupational Disability
• Deferred Compensation/After-Tax ROTH
• NCPERS Voluntary Life and AD&D

01
It is a requirement to have a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, or equivalent experience with an emphasis on transportation and/or roadway and bridge type projects. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02
It is a requirement to have a minimum of 10 years of experience in highway planning, design or construction and 5 years of supervisory experience. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

03
For the question above, please provide where (the organization name) and when (the time period) you gained this experience -- citing specific examples. If you have no experience, or did not meet the minimum requirement, please enter this information"NA".
We will not make assumptions regarding your response. Please assure experience notated in this response is accurately reflected in your submitted application materials. If you do not answer completely you will not receive credit for this question.
04
Microsoft Outlook Proficiency:
Listed below are functions typically associated with Microsoft Outlook proficiency levels. Please carefully read the following prior to answering the question.

• Basic
  • Creating Emails and Attaching Files to Messages
  • Making Appointments and Changing the Time of Appointments
  • Customizing the Ribbon
  • Checking the Word Count
  • Working with Reminders
  • Moving Messages between Folders
  • Creating Signatures
  • Searching for and Flagging Messages
• Intermediate
  • Previewing Attachments
  • Categorizing Messages
  • Printing Calendars
  • Mentioning Contacts in the Body of an Email
  • Using Quick Parts
  • Creating Meeting Invitations
  • Using the Different views
  • Taking Meeting Notes
  • Writing Professional Emails
  • Inserting Online Pictures
  • Setting a Default Signature
  • Using Groups
  • Working with Printing Styles
• Advanced
  • Turning on the Week Number Settings
  • Setting Up Recurring Meetings
  • Working with Hyperlinks
  • Adding and Removing Columns
  • Working with Notes
  • Using the Bcc field
  • Requesting Read Receipts
  • Changing the Background Color of a Message
  • Creating Templates
  • Archiving Messages
  • Creating Rules
  • Printing Attachments
  • Assigning Tasks
• Expert
  • Exporting Calendars
  • Adding and Changing Time Zones
  • Applying Outlook Themes and Stationery to Messages
  • Attaching Email Messages to Other Messages
  • Using the Spelling and Grammar check
  • Specifying Default Fonts for unread messages
  • Setting Delayed Delivery Options
  • Encrypting Messages
  • Using the Smart Lookup Feature
  • Setting Permissions
  • Archiving and other useful features that assist Organization
  • Blocking Incoming Mail
  • Creating Tasks without opening Outlook

What is your proficiency level in Microsoft Outlook?

• No Experience
• Basic
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

05
Microsoft Excel Proficiency:
Listed below are definitions of Microsoft Excel proficiency levels. Please read the following definitions carefully prior to answering the question.

• BasicThis level of skills is required to perform tasks and work with data in worksheets.A person with this level of skills is able to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a