Senior Program Lead, Early Careers

Location: Chicago / Adams - IL

The Senior Program Lead, Early Careers partners with Early Careers leadership to translate program priorities into coordinated execution across CDW. This role leads the day-to-day operations of CDW’s Early Careers programs, including internship program execution, intern conversion planning, Account Representative hiring cohorts, reporting, compliance, and budget tracking.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Early Careers Program Execution & Hiring Support

Lead end-to-end planning and execution of the Summer Internship Program, including recruiting preparation, onboarding, program delivery, intern engagement, evaluations, conversions, and program closeout.

Maintain Account Representative hiring plans, trackers, dashboards, and documentation, monitoring progress, alignment changes, and start-date readiness.

Coordinate timelines and deliverables across recruiters, hiring managers, business partners, and support teams.

Identify execution risks, coordinate solutions, and escalate issues requiring leadership alignment.

Reporting, Process & Budget Management

Develop and maintain reporting across Early Careers programs, intern conversions, and Account Representative hiring.

Maintain program documentation, trackers, and operational processes to support consistent execution.

Manage program budgets, forecasting, and expense tracking.

Team Collaboration & Stakeholder Partnership

Serve as a resource to Early Careers team members by sharing program guidance, tools, and best practices.

Coordinate with Talent Acquisition, Sales, HR, IT, Finance, and external partners to support program delivery.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

5+ years of Program Management, Recruiting, Human Resources, Operations, or related experience.

Required Qualifications

Experience supporting Early Careers, internship, campus recruiting, rotational, or other early talent programs.

Experience coordinating complex, cross-functional programs with multiple workstreams.

Strong program and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Ability to coordinate work and build accountability across team members and partners.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment on when to escalate issues.

Experience developing reporting, dashboards, operational processes, or program improvements.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including communicating program updates to leadership.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Workday or similar HR systems.

Experience with workforce planning, reporting, or and budget management.

Experience supporting high-volume hiring programs or recruiting operations.

Salary Range: $72,000 - $86,000, depending on experience and skill set

Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials

Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/

CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization

We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner’s mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever-evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances—not replaces—human creativity and decision-making. You don’t need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work.

Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that’s curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what’s possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.

About Us

CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what’s possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn’t just what we do—it’s how we do it. At CDW we act as one—building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win—focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward—staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That’s why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees—working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities.

As a full‑stack, full‑lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what’s next.

Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do. Together, we Make Amazing Happen.

CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.