Program Manager - K-12 Education (DSA)

Location: San Mateo, CA
Salary: $190,000 - $220,000

Overview

This Program Manager leads a portfolio of K-12 education projects across the San Mateo and Peninsula area, providing owner’s-side oversight for multiple concurrent projects and teams. The role is responsible for running a program—not a single project—while managing Senior Project Managers, ensuring DSA compliance, and serving as a trusted partner to school district leadership. The position requires deep California K-12 experience, strong public-sector credibility, and local presence.

Must Haves

12+ years of progressive experience in owner’s-side construction management, program management, or public-sector project delivery
Proven experience leading multi-site, multi-project K-12 education programs in California
Demonstrated ability to run a program rather than a single project, with responsibility for multiple concurrent projects across multiple clients and locations
Direct experience managing, mentoring, and overseeing Senior Project Managers and project teams
Deep working knowledge of California DSA requirements, processes, and compliance expectations for K-12 projects
Strong credibility working with school districts, superintendents, facilities leadership, and public-sector stakeholders
Experience navigating public procurement, governance, board approvals, and community-facing processes
Demonstrated success managing scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality across complex, compliance-driven programs
Ability to synthesize program-level reporting, forecasting, and executive-level communication
Excellent written, verbal, and organizational communication skills
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common construction/project management platforms
Ability to live on or very near the San Mateo Peninsula area and travel locally without reliance on long bridge commutes

Nice to Haves

Experience working directly with Bay Area school districts and Peninsula-based education clients
Background delivering modernization, upgrade, or capital improvement programs rather than only ground-up construction
Familiarity with DSA closeout, certification, and post-construction requirements
Experience establishing or improving program-level standards, processes, and controls
Working knowledge of Primavera P6, Procore, or similar scheduling and project controls tools
Professional certifications such as PMP, CCM, or DBIA
Experience supporting bond-funded programs or long-term capital improvement plans

Responsibilities

Serve as the owner’s-side Program Manager overseeing multiple K-12 projects across multiple school districts and locations
Lead and manage a portfolio of concurrent education projects, ensuring consistency, compliance, and performance across the program
Directly manage, mentor, and oversee multiple Senior Project Managers and project teams
Act as a trusted advisor and primary program-level point of contact for district leadership and key stakeholders
Establish and maintain program-level controls for budget, schedule, risk, reporting, and quality
Ensure all projects comply with California DSA requirements, public-sector processes, and district standards
Coordinate architects, engineers, inspectors, contractors, and consultants across the full program
Provide clear executive-level reporting on program status, risks, forecasting, and key decisions
Lead program-level planning, prioritization, and resource allocation across projects
Proactively identify and mitigate risks impacting schedule, cost, safety, and compliance
Support procurement strategies, consultant selection, and contractor coordination as needed
Facilitate stakeholder meetings, presentations, and public-facing communications
Ensure successful delivery of projects while maintaining strong client relationships and long-term program continuity

Program Manager, K-12 Education - DSA |...