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Senior Program Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Program Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$119K - $120K/yr

The Senior Manager, Strategic Programs is responsible for defining program requirements, setting objectives, developing integrated project plans, and leading complex, cross-functional strategic ...

Senior Program Manager

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$138K - $190K/yr

Manages the programs budget and financial performance. * Coordinates the programs and their ... Senior Executive Level reporting and escalation experience. * Solid foundation on latest ...

Senior Program Manager

Northbrook, IL · On-site

$138K - $190K/yr

Manages the programs budget and financial performance. * Coordinates the programs and their ... Senior Executive Level reporting and escalation experience. * Solid foundation on latest ...

Senior Program Manager

Waukegan, IL

$110K - $110K/yr

Develops creative solutions to solve problems that may arise that would threaten program dates or profitability and provides timely alerts Senior Management when risks may be realized. Coordinates ...

Senior Program Manager

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$110K - $110K/yr

Develops creative solutions to solve problems that may arise that would threaten program dates or profitability and provides timely alerts Senior Management when risks may be realized. Coordinates ...

Senior Program Manager

Waukegan, IL

$110K - $110K/yr

Develops creative solutions to solve problems that may arise that would threaten program dates or profitability and provides timely alerts Senior Management when risks may be realized. Coordinates ...

Senior Program Manager

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$98K - $233K/yr

... Manager to run complex modernization/transformation programs to Cloud, owning the scoping, planning ... Strong executive communication skills with the ability to brief senior leadership and external ...

Senior Program Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$98K - $233K/yr

... Manager to run complex modernization/transformation programs to Cloud, owning the scoping, planning ... Strong executive communication skills with the ability to brief senior leadership and external ...

Senior Program Manager

Waukegan, IL · On-site

$110K - $110K/yr

Develops creative solutions to solve problems that may arise that would threaten program dates or profitability and provides timely alerts Senior Management when risks may be realized. Coordinates ...

This role operates at the Senior Program Manager level. It ensures sustained product performance, regulatory compliance, cost optimization, and timely changes in a highly regulated medical device ...

Program Manager, Senior

Chicago, IL · On-site

$119K - $120K/yr

The Sr Program Manager will play a critical role in advancing a future-ready insurance platform and operating model that strengthens operational efficiency, scalability, and the customer experience.

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Program Manager information

See Illinois salary details

$37.8K

$111.6K

$150.7K

How much do senior program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior program manager in Illinois is $111,587.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $112,400.00 and $112,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What pays more, a project manager or a program manager?

In general, program managers tend to earn higher salaries than project managers because they oversee multiple projects and have broader responsibilities. Program managers often require advanced skills, certifications like PgMP, and experience managing complex initiatives, which can contribute to higher compensation.

What does a senior program manager do?

A senior program manager oversees multiple related projects within an organization, ensuring they align with strategic goals. They coordinate teams, manage budgets, develop schedules, and communicate progress to stakeholders, often using project management tools like MS Project or Jira. This role requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and experience in risk management and process improvement.

Is being a TPM stressful?

Being a Senior Program Manager can be stressful due to managing multiple projects, tight deadlines, and stakeholder expectations. The role requires strong organizational skills, problem-solving, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations regularly.

How much do senior program managers make in the US?

Senior Program Managers in the US typically earn between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, with salaries varying based on industry, experience, and location. Many also receive bonuses, benefits, and opportunities for professional development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Program Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership, often supported by a bachelor's or master's degree and significant management experience. Familiarity with tools such as Microsoft Project, Jira, and project management certifications like PMP or Agile are typically required. Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills set top performers apart in this position. These skills are crucial for aligning teams, delivering complex projects on time, and driving organizational objectives.

How does a Senior Program Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success?

A Senior Program Manager regularly works with cross-functional teams by facilitating communication among stakeholders, aligning project goals, and resolving conflicts that may arise between departments. They often lead meetings, set clear expectations, and provide updates to ensure all teams are on track with deliverables and timelines. Building strong relationships with product, engineering, finance, and other relevant teams is crucial to proactively identify and address potential risks. This collaborative approach not only streamlines workflows but also fosters a culture of accountability and shared ownership of program outcomes.

What Is a Senior Program Manager?

A senior program manager can work in many industries, including healthcare, construction, and technology, to improve the efficiency and profitability of a business or organization. As a senior program manager, your job duties involve using analytical skills to manage a project while overseeing a team. You organize resources, stay within budget, use SDLC guidelines, assess project risk, provide quality control to meet goals, and report on development. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and industry experience, but an MBA specializing in project management can give you a competitive edge. Desired skills include leadership, organization, and the ability to conduct research. Having a diverse business background is also beneficial for this career.

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

AspectSenior Program ManagerProject Manager
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree, PMP or PgMP certification, extensive experience in program managementUsually requires a bachelor's degree, PMP certification often preferred, less extensive experience needed
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple related projects within a program, strategic focusManages individual projects, tactical focus
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, tech, healthcare, and finance sectorsWidely used across industries for specific project delivery

The Senior Program Manager focuses on managing multiple projects aligned with organizational goals, requiring strategic oversight and extensive experience. In contrast, the Project Manager handles individual projects, ensuring timely delivery and scope management. Both roles are vital but differ mainly in scope and complexity.

What are the most commonly searched types of Senior Program jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Senior Program jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Program Manager jobs in Illinois? For Senior Program Manager jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Program Manager jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Program Manager jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Senior Program Manager jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Senior Program Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Program Manager job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,587 per year, or $53.6 per hour.
Sr. Program Manager

Sr. Program Manager

Kraft Heinz Company

Chicago, IL • On-site

$119K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Kraft Heinz rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 122 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

211th of 396 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

The Senior Manager, Strategic Programs is responsible for defining program requirements, setting objectives, developing integrated project plans, and leading complex, cross-functional strategic initiatives that support business growth, infrastructure modernization, operational excellence, and network optimization objectives. This role serves as the overall program leader for assigned initiatives and is accountable for technical and program feasibility, governance, workstream integration, executive reporting, risk management, stakeholder alignment, process improvement, and successful delivery of program objectives.
Job Description
Program & Project Management:
  • Lead complex capital programs from requirements definition and conceptual design through execution, commissioning, vertical startup, and handover.
  • Define program objectives, scope, budgets, schedules, success measures, and execution plans aligned to approved business cases.
  • Support Capital Appropriation Request submissions and serve as the program advocate to capital investment committees.
  • Develop integrated program roadmaps that sequence workstreams, milestones, dependencies, resources, and key decision points.
  • Provide technical guidance to influence design decisions, resolve technical challenges, and ensure feasible, scalable, compliant solutions.
  • Establish the program structure, resource model, technical capabilities, and external partner support needed to deliver scope, schedule, and budget commitments.
  • Provide cross-functional leadership across Engineering, Finance, Operations, HR, Legal, R&D, EHS, FSQ, Procurement, and external partners.
  • Align sponsors, functional leaders, and portfolio governance teams on program scope, trade-offs, priorities, risks, value realization, and escalation needs.
  • Manage cross-functional dependencies, decision interlocks, critical path constraints, and prioritization conflicts across workstreams, sites, suppliers, and partners.
  • Establish governance cadence, including workstream reviews, leadership updates, decision forums, action tracking, escalation pathways, and decision records.
  • Develop and manage risk, issue, assumption, and dependency processes to identify, monitor, mitigate, and escalate factors that may affect delivery.
  • Communicate program health, milestones, budget, risks, dependencies, decisions, and required leadership actions through clear, decision-oriented reporting.
  • Lead operational readiness, change adoption, training coordination, readiness criteria, and sustained ownership planning with site and functional teams.
  • Ensure safety, environmental, compliance, and operational requirements are embedded from design through operational verification and value realization.

Program Management Standards, Tools
  • Work with PMO and functional partners to drive continuous improvement of capital project management activities, workflows, tools, methodologies, and governance practices across KHC entities to improve efficiency, consistency, scalability, and execution quality.
  • Develop and share best practices, reporting standards, reusable program artifacts, templates, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track program progress, financial performance, schedule performance, risk, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
  • Lead post-implementation reviews and lessons learned activities to capture insights, identify improvement opportunities, and incorporate learnings into future program standards, tools, governance practices, and execution playbooks.

Expected Experience & Required Skills
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited engineering school or related field is required.
  • 6+ years experience in engineering, project management, program management, and/or technical leadership across multiple sites. Prior experience in an in-plant technical role such as Operations, Maintenance, or Plant Engineering is preferred.
  • Demonstrated success in project and program management execution, including requirements definition, scope, schedule, budget, governance, reporting, risk, dependency, resource planning, execution, monitoring/control, closeout, roadmap development, cross-workstream dependency management, and decision cadence; familiarity with Agile, Scrum, or other iterative delivery methods is beneficial where applicable.
  • Demonstrated leadership, communication, influence, critical thinking, problem-solving, relationship-building, executive communication, and business acumen to lead complex cross-functional programs, align technical decisions with stakeholder and business needs, and support operational readiness, change adoption, benefits realization, and sustained value delivery.

Work Environment & Schedule
This position is considered aField based environment; role requires frequent travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.Additionally, this role requires willingness to travel to locations outside of home state for extended periods (up to 50%) as needed and the demonstrated ability to work remotely with little supervision. Ability to work to flexible schedule including days, afternoons, nights and overtime as needed.
Physical Requirements
Physical demands include but not limited to:
  • This role requires inspection of sites to detect safety concerns. Occasional need to scale heights and traversal of workplace.
  • Must be able to complete tasks in a noisy environment.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$120,800.00 - $151,000.00
Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:
  • Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
  • Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
  • Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
  • Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)
Chicago/Aon Center
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.

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