ProgramDirector - IT

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Program Director, Anti Financial Crime (AFC) Program

Legal, Compliance & Corporate Functions Technology

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL and JLL Technologies are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world-class services, advisory, and technology. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers, and find a place where they belong.

Role Overview

The Senior Program Director leads delivery of JLL’s Anti Financial Crime (AFC) program within JLL Technologies (JLLT), covering sanctions screening, AML, KYC, and related compliance capabilities. You will work with business, product, and engineering teams to take the program from planning through execution using Agile delivery, manage vendors and senior stakeholders, and keep executives informed with clear, decision-ready communication.

AFC is the initial assignment. The role is designed to move across other Legal, Compliance, and Corporate Function programs as priorities change, so we are looking for a delivery leader whose methods transfer across domains. The role reports to the Head of Technology for Legal, Risk and Compliance. You will be based in Chicago and lead teams and stakeholders across US, UK, and India time zones.

What This Job Involves

Agile Delivery

- Run Agile delivery across multiple workstreams, including release planning, sprint cadence, backlog health, and demos.

- Set the delivery operating model for the program: ceremonies, tooling (Azure Board, Azure DevOps, Confluence), and definitions of ready and done.

- Coach teams and product owners on Agile practice and fit the approach to program size and risk.

- Track delivery against clear metrics and act early when plans slip.

Planning Through Execution

- Work with teams to turn business objectives into a program plan with scope, milestones, dependencies, and resourcing.

- Own scope, schedule, budget, and quality from initiation through go-live and hypercare.

- Manage dependencies across Data, Engineering, Architecture, and Corporate Function systems such as Finance (PeopleSoft) and HR (Workday) or CRMs.

- Surface risks and issues early, drive them to resolution, and escalate at the right level when needed.

- Own program financials, including forecasting, budget vs. actuals, and variance reporting.

Stakeholder and Vendor Management

- Build trusted working relationships with Ethics & Compliance, Legal, Finance, and Technology leaders.

- Negotiate scope, schedule, cost, and quality trade-offs and hold agreed positions.

- Manage vendors and SaaS partners from selection and contracting through delivery, performance tracking, and renewal.

- Hold vendors to SOW commitments, service levels, and commercial terms, and lead escalations when they fall short.

- Establish governance, decision rights, and escalation paths across a distributed, multi-time-zone team.

Executive Communication

- Produce concise status reporting covering scope, schedule, risk, and financials.

- Lead steering committees and executive readouts, framing decisions, options, and asks clearly.

- Tailor messaging for executive, business, and technical audiences.

- Prepare business cases and investment updates for senior leadership.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field.

- 8+ years leading complex technology programs, including 4+ years managing multi-workstream programs at program manager or director level.

- Hands-on Agile delivery experience across multiple teams, with working knowledge of Scrum, Kanban, and scaled Agile.

- Proven record taking programs from planning through execution and go-live on scope, schedule, and budget.

- Strong stakeholder management in a matrix organization, leading through influence without direct authority.

- Vendor management experience across selection, SOW and contract management, performance tracking, and escalation.

- Executive-ready written and verbal communication, including steering committee and senior leadership readouts.

- Budget and financial management experience, including forecasting and variance reporting.

- Experience leading distributed teams across US, UK, and India time zones, with flexibility for early morning and evening calls.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience delivering financial crime or compliance technology, such as sanctions screening, AML, KYC, or entity and UBO screening.

- Experience in Legal, Compliance, or another regulated corporate function.

- Applied experience using AI or agentic AI to improve delivery or operational efficiency.

- PMP, PgMP, SAFe, or equivalent certification.

- Experience integrating SaaS platforms into an enterprise architecture.

- Background in commercial real estate, financial services, or professional services.

Key Competencies

- Delivery Discipline: Plans realistically, tracks rigorously, and acts early on slippage.

- Executive Presence: Communicates with clarity and brevity in senior forums.

- Commercial Judgment: Manages vendors and budgets to outcomes and value.

- Matrix Leadership: Aligns teams and stakeholders across organizational boundaries.

- Adaptability: Moves across programs and domains and becomes productive quickly.

Location

Chicago, IL. Hybrid, with at least 2 days per week in office. Role can be from Chicago Headquarter in AON building or from our Westmont Suburb.

Why JLL

At JLL, we are collectively shaping a brighter way for our clients, ourselves, and our fellow employees. We choose to take the more inspiring, innovative, and optimistic path on our journey toward success. What sets JLL apart is our culture of collaboration, locally and across the globe, which allows us to create transformative solutions for the real estate industry.

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

JLL is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Expected compensation for this position:

200,000.00 – 230,000.00 USD per year

Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

On-site –Chicago, IL

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements.  We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits include:

- 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
- Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.

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Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.  If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at [email protected] . This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.

Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment.

Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest.

Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

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Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.