1

Senior Program Director Jobs in Gurnee, IL (NOW HIRING)

Senior Program Manager

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$110K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Maintain accountability for total program scope, budget, timelines, and outcomes, ensuring effective resource utilization across direct and matrixed teams. * Engage with senior leadership to align ...

Senior Program Manager

Waukegan, IL

$110K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Maintain accountability for total program scope, budget, timelines, and outcomes, ensuring effective resource utilization across direct and matrixed teams. * Engage with senior leadership to align ...

Senior Program Manager

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$129K - $258K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Maintain accountability for total program scope, budget, timelines, and outcomes, ensuring effective resource utilization across direct and matrixed teams. * Engage with senior leadership to align ...

Senior Program Manager

Waukegan, IL

$110K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Maintain accountability for total program scope, budget, timelines, and outcomes, ensuring effective resource utilization across direct and matrixed teams. * Engage with senior leadership to align ...

Senior Program Manager

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$129 - $259/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Maintain accountability for total program scope, budget, timelines, and outcomes, ensuring effective resource utilization across direct and matrixed teams. * Engage with senior leadership to align ...

Senior Program Manager - Hardware PMO

Schaumburg, IL · On-site

$113K - $114K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

As a Senior Program Manager for Hardware PMO, you will direct complex, end-to-end hardware development programs from concept to global deployment. You will serve as a strategic integrator across ...

Program Manager Sr

Buffalo Grove, IL · On-site

$108K - $162K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Program Manager leads the tactical interface between the customer and various Plexus functional ... If have direct reports: Responsible to exemplify and hold their team accountable to demonstrating ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Program Director information

See Gurnee, IL salary details

$37.4K

$110.5K

$149.3K

How much do senior program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior program director in Gurnee, IL is $110,527.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,300.00 and $111,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior program director?

Senior Program Directors are high-level managers responsible for overseeing multiple projects or programs within an organization. They provide strategic direction, ensure alignment with organizational goals, and manage teams of project managers or program coordinators. Their duties include budgeting, stakeholder communication, performance monitoring, and risk management. Senior Program Directors play a critical role in ensuring that programs are delivered on time, within scope, and meet the expected outcomes.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a senior program director?

To thrive as a Senior Program Director, you need extensive experience in program management, strategic planning, and leadership, typically supported by an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with project management tools (such as MS Project or Asana), budgeting software, and sometimes certifications like PMP or PgMP are highly valued. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and team-building skills set standout leaders apart in this role. These capabilities are crucial for effectively overseeing complex programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve successful outcomes.

How does a senior program director typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure program success?

Senior Program Directors play a crucial role in aligning multiple departments—such as product development, marketing, finance, and operations—toward common program goals. They facilitate regular meetings, set clear expectations, and coordinate resources to address challenges and keep projects on track. Effective communication and relationship-building are essential, as the director must balance the needs and perspectives of various stakeholders while maintaining focus on overarching objectives. By fostering collaboration, they help ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and to a high standard.

What is the difference between Senior Program Director vs Program Manager?

AspectSenior Program DirectorProgram Manager
CredentialsOften requires advanced degrees (e.g., MBA, PMP) and extensive experienceTypically requires a bachelor's degree; PMP or related certifications are common
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, overseeing multiple programs or departmentsOperational focus, managing specific projects or programs
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large organizations, nonprofits, government agenciesCommon across various industries, including corporate, tech, and healthcare
Search & Comparison IntentHigh-level strategic roles, leadership responsibilitiesProject execution, day-to-day management

The main difference between a Senior Program Director and a Program Manager lies in scope and responsibility. Senior Program Directors focus on strategic oversight and leadership across multiple programs, often requiring advanced credentials and extensive experience. Program Managers handle specific projects, focusing on execution and operational management. Both roles are vital but differ in their level of strategic involvement and organizational impact.

What job categories do people searching Senior Program Director jobs in Gurnee, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Program Director jobs in Gurnee, IL are:

What cities near Gurnee, IL are hiring for Senior Program Director jobs?

Cities near Gurnee, IL with the most Senior Program Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Program Director job openings in Gurnee, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 63% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,527 per year, or $53.1 per hour.

Senior Program Manager

Abbott

Waukegan, IL • On-site

$110K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago


Abbott rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 138 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

175th of 542 rated manufacturers


Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people's health. We're always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You'll also have access to:
  • Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
  • Free medical coverage for employees* via the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO
  • An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
  • Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor's degree.
  • A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
  • A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity
This role is based in our Lake County or downtown Chicago locations within Digital Technology Services (DTS).
We are seeking a proven program leader with a track record of delivering complex, global technology initiatives who is comfortable operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
As the Senior Program Manager, Strategic Programs, you will lead enterprise-scale digital, cybersecurity and AI programs that matter. You will drive execution across modern software development efforts, reduce technical debt, and deliver measurable outcomes within a highly regulated, global environment. You will partner closely with senior business and technology leaders and manage critical stakeholders.
This role is well-suited for a leader with strong program fundamentals and sharp attention to detail.
What You'll Work On
  • Plan, execute, and manage all aspects of digital programs, including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, control, and closure.
  • Lead project planning, scheduling, tracking, risk management, and status reporting.
  • Ensure program compliance with all internal procedures and applicable external regulations.
  • Drive resolution through effective cross-functional problem solving, communication, and integration.
  • Partner with Project Owners, functional leaders, and management to prioritize work across programs, balancing resource availability, timelines, deliverables, and business priorities.
  • Demonstrate agility and flexibility in a fast-paced environment while meeting aggressive program schedules.
  • Champion PMO best practices to strengthen project planning, execution, prioritization, governance, and change management within Digital Programs.
  • Facilitate Program Review meetings with stakeholders and provide clear, regular executive-level updates.
  • Analyze complex business problems, develop alternative solutions, and support leadership in selecting and executing long-term action plans.
  • Anticipate future risks and challenges, resolve current issues, and continuously improve based on lessons learned and prior program outcomes.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for third-party vendors and external partners.
  • Provide leadership on strategic business initiatives, driving cross-functional teams to achieve agreed-upon milestones and deliverables.
  • Maintain accountability for total program scope, budget, timelines, and outcomes, ensuring effective resource utilization across direct and matrixed teams.
  • Engage with senior leadership to align program strategies and key decisions.
  • Prepare and deliver clear, compelling written and verbal communications for diverse internal and external audiences, tailoring content and style as appropriate

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, Business, or a related discipline.
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience managing global cross functional programs.
  • Demonstrated expertise with project and program management tools, methodologies, and governance processes.
  • Experience working in FDA-regulated environments (e.g., validated software supporting medical, pharmaceutical, or life sciences products) and PCI-regulated environments.
  • Proven track record of delivering high-quality, complex programs successfully.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with AI, cybersecurity and infrastructure is highly preferred.
  • Strong technical background in cross-functional program management with demonstrated people leadership, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and career development.
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, and align stakeholders at all organizational levels.
  • Working knowledge of modern software development methodologies (Agile/Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) and tools such as JIRA and Confluence.
  • Demonstrated leadership capabilities with experience building, leading, and developing high-performing teams, including setting clear expectations, providing regular feedback, and supporting growth through mentoring and stretch opportunities.
  • Excellent communication skills, including executive-level presence demonstrated through clear, concise, and confident engagement with senior leaders; strong executive presentations, facilitation, negotiation, decision-making, and problem solving; and the ability to synthesize complex information, influence outcomes, and translate strategy into clear direction for teams.

Misc: This is an onsite role at Abbott locations in IL This is not a remote role/opportunity.
Apply Now
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.
The base pay for this position is
$129,300.00 - $258,700.00
In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.
JOB FAMILY:
IT Business Relationship Management
DIVISION:
BTS Business Technology Services
LOCATION:
United States > Waukegan : J46
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:
United States > Chicago : Willis Tower Building 233 S Wacker Dr.
WORK SHIFT:
Standard
TRAVEL:
Yes, 15 % of the Time
MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:
Not Applicable
SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:
Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday)
Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.
EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf
EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

What Abbott employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom