Software Program Manager Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Program Manager
Category: Project Management
Main location: United States, Illinois, Chicago
Position ID:J0526-0694
Employment Type: Full Time
Position Description:
Make an impact like never before!
We are looking for an experienced Program Manager to join our Chicago-area practice as a hands-on delivery lead on enterprise client engagements. This is a player-coach role: you will lead workstreams or mid-sized projects end-to-end, manage teams of consultants, and serve as a trusted day-to-day partner to client managers and directors. If you thrive at the intersection of delivery leadership and technical execution - translating client requirements into actionable plans, mentoring strong teams, and driving outcomes across the application lifecycle - this is the role for you.
At CGI, you'll join a global technology and consulting leader where your expertise drives meaningful outcomes for some of the largest organizations in the U.S. We offer the stability and scale of an established firm combined with the entrepreneurial ownership mindset CGI is known for. In this role, you'll work alongside seasoned consulting leaders on real client problems, sharpen both your technical and leadership skills, and build a clear path toward Principal or Director-level roles.
This is a hybrid role which requires someone local to Chicago, willing to be on-site up to 4 days per week.
Your future duties and responsibilities:
• Lead delivery of projects or workstreams within a larger program ($4M+ portfolio), owning scope, schedule, quality, and team performance
• Drive engagements through the full SDLC using Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid approaches, with onshore (30%) and offshore (70%) team coordination
• Translate client requirements into actionable plans, technical approaches, and clear deliverables
• Identify and resolve delivery risks early; escalate appropriately and propose mitigation options
• Strong executive presence with the ability to build credible, trust-based relationships with client managers, product owners, and technical leads; run client status meetings, working sessions, and steering updates
• Spot opportunities to expand scope or introduce new capabilities, and partner with senior leaders to shape proposals and SOWs
• Provide hands-on technical guidance across one or more domains: web, mobile, CRM, middleware, cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP), or modernization of legacy/host-centric systems
• Review designs, code, and key artifacts to ensure quality and adherence to engineering standards; contribute to estimation, solutioning, and architecture conversations on new and existing engagements
• Lead large teams (typically 15-20 consultants) including direct people management or matrixed leadership; coach junior and mid-level consultants on delivery practices, technical skills, and client communication; support hiring, onboarding, and ramp-up of new team members
• Track project financials - burn, forecast, staffing - and surface variances early to engagement leadership; contribute to estimation for new work and refinement of delivery best practices, accelerators, and reusable assets; support PMO activities such as status reporting, metrics, and quality reviews; manage Capital and Expense budgets
Required qualifications to be successful in this role:
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in IT consulting, software delivery, or technology services.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects or workstreams end-to-end with accountability for scope, schedule, and quality.
• Proven experience leading project portfolios in excess of $4M, with financial ownership. Must have experience managing capital and expense budgets
• Strong executive presence with the ability to build credible, trust-based relationships; run client status meetings, working sessions, and steering updates
• Hands-on experience with both Agile and Waterfall delivery and with distributed/ offshore team models.
• Technical depth in application deployments. Also, at least one core technology domain - web, mobile, CRM, middleware, cloud, or enterprise application modernization.
• Strong client-facing communication skills; comfortable presenting to managers and directors
• Prior experience leading or mentoring large teams (15-20 people)
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Greater Chicago Area; able to travel to client sites within a 25-mile radius (typically 80% / 4 days a week)
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating independently in a fast-paced enterprise environment
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with cloud migration a huge plus!
• Industry experience in financial services, insurance, or another regulated enterprise domain
• Master's degree in Software Systems, Computer Science, or an MBA
• Certifications such as PMP, Certified Scrum Master, SAFe, ITIL, or cloud platform certifications (AWS/Azure/GCP)
• Experience contributing to pre-sales activities - estimation, proposal writing, or solution shaping
• Exposure to global delivery models (Europe, Asia, or Latin America)
• Track record of building reusable accelerators, automation, or internal tools that improved delivery efficiency
• Experience delivering engagements in regulated industries such as financial services, insurance, government, or healthcare
Other Information:
CGI is required by law in some jurisdictions to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The determination of this range includes various factors not limited to skill set, level, experience, relevant training, and licensure and certifications. To support the ability to reward for merit-based performance, CGI typically does not hire individuals at or near the top of the range for their role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for this role in the U.S. is $111,600.00 - $195,200.00.
CGI's benefits are offered to eligible professionals on their first day of employment to include:
. Competitive compensation including profit participation program
. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
. Basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
. Matching contributions through 401(k) plan, and CGI share purchase plan
. Flexibility and paid accrued vacation leave, ranging from 10 to 20 days per year, based on job level, years of relevant prior experience, and years of service
. 10 paid holidays per year
. At least 80 consecutive hours of paid sick/safe leave (except where applicable state/local law requires more)
. Paid parental leave, ranging from 20 to 70 consecutive business days based on circumstances of leave and applicable laws
. Bereavement leave, ranging from 1 to 7 days per year based on relationship.
. Paid jury duty leave, up to time summoned
. Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
. Wellness and Well-being programs
For more detailed information about our benefits offerings visit Benefits | CGI Careers
Please note that the benefits listed above are subject to change based on the specific terms and conditions of the contract being supported.
CGI anticipates accepting resumes through June 15, 2026.
#LI-AH9
Skills:

• Agile
• Amazon Web Services Cloud
• Program Management
• Waterfall Model
• Scrum Master

What you can expect from us:
Together, as owners, let's turn meaningful insights into action.
Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging. Here, you'll reach your full potential because...
You are invited to be an owner from day 1 as we work together to bring our Dream to life. That's why we call ourselves CGI Partners rather than employees. We benefit from our collective success and actively shape our company's strategy and direction.
Your work creates value. You'll develop innovative solutions and build relationships with teammates and clients while accessing global capabilities to scale your ideas, embrace new opportunities, and benefit from expansive industry and technology expertise.
You'll shape your career by joining a company built to grow and last. You'll be supported by leaders who care about your health and well-being and provide you with opportunities to deepen your skills and broaden your horizons.
Come join our team-one of the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, sex, religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, familial status or responsibilities, reproductive health decisions, political affiliation, genetic information, height, weight, or any other legally protected status or characteristics to the extent required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws where we do business.
CGI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job in the U.S., please email the CGI U.S. Employment Compliance mailbox at US_Employment_Compliance@cgi.com. You will need to reference the Position ID of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a Position ID will not be returned.
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All CGI offers of employment in the U.S. are contingent upon the ability to successfully complete a background investigation. Background investigation components can vary dependent upon specific assignment and/or level of US government security clearance held. Dependent upon role and/or federal government security clearance requirements, and in accordance with applicable laws, some background investigations may include a credit check. CGI will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrests and conviction records in accordance with all local regulations and ordinances.
CGI will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with CGI's legal duty to furnish information.