Program Officer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Program Manager (Onsite)

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

About Us:

Specialized – One Force. Multiple Front Lines. One Step Ahead.

Specialized delivers integrated security solutions through a portfolio of brands powered by a unified, data-driven platform. Metro One Security provides industry-leading retail security solutions, M1 Global delivers scalable enterprise security services across diverse industries, and Aurix is our proprietary technology platform that enhances prevention, detection, operational visibility, and actionable intelligence. Together, our brands combine operational expertise, advanced technology, and strategic insight to help clients strengthen performance, reduce risk, and protect what matters most.

Position Overview:

The Program Manager plays a critical role in connecting strategy to execution across the functional groups overseen by the Chief Operating Officer. This role translates COO priorities and cross-functional initiatives into structured, measurable programs while providing leadership with clear visibility into progress, risks, dependencies, and results.

This is not a traditional single-project management role. The Program Manager will oversee a portfolio of strategic initiatives and work across multiple functional groups, requiring strong program management discipline, executive-level communication, and the ability to influence and drive accountability without direct reporting authority.

Qualifications:

Required

• Active PMP certification required.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years of program and/or project management experience, preferably within corporate operations, professional services, staffing, security services, or a multi-site services environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and presenting materials to executive and C-Suite audiences.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, with the ability to develop executive-ready materials from raw data.
• Experience with project or portfolio management tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Asana, Monday.com, or similar platforms.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive results across departments without formal authority.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Must be willing to participate in the Company's pre-employment screening process and continuously meet all applicable state, county, and municipal requirements.

Preferred

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
• Experience within security services, staffing, workforce management, or another highly regulated or operationally complex industry.
• Familiarity with OKR, KPI, or balanced-scorecard frameworks.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Alignment & Program Management

• Translate COO and functional leadership priorities into structured program charters, OKR/KPI frameworks, execution plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Maintain a portfolio view of COO-sponsored initiatives, ensuring clear ownership, milestones, timelines, and success metrics.
• Identify gaps between departmental priorities and broader organizational strategy and escalate concerns early.

Governance & Execution

• Lead program governance activities, including steering committees, working sessions, milestone reviews, and RAID logs.
• Track cross-functional dependencies across Workforce Operations, Talent Acquisition, Fusion Center Operations, Scheduling/Systems, and other business functions.
• Proactively identify risks, delays, resource constraints, and operational bottlenecks and partner with stakeholders to drive resolution.
• Drive accountability through structure, clear expectations, and consistent follow-up.

Executive Reporting & Communication

• Develop standardized reporting for C-Suite and senior leadership, including status updates, dashboards, and quarterly business reviews.
• Create executive-ready presentations, one-pagers, and dashboards that clearly communicate program status, risks, business impact, and ROI.
• Translate complex information and data into clear, actionable insights for executive decision-making.

Business Case, Risk & Change Management

• Support business cases, funding requests, and ROI models for strategic initiatives, technology implementations, organizational changes, and process improvements.
• Partner with functional leaders to identify legal, compliance, budgetary, operational, and structural risks.
• Support change management and communication efforts for initiatives impacting multiple departments.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen processes, governance, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration.

Pay & Benefits:

• Salary Range: $140,000–$160,000 per year
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) plan.
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.